How To Clean and Disinfect Your Touchscreen

The spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has caused everyone to re-think our daily life and hygiene. From personal hygiene to disinfection and cleaning procedures in public areas people are more concerned with staying clean and germ-free. Now it’s more important than ever to keep everything, including hardware clean and sanitary. While it is primarily spread from person-to-person, it’s also possible that a person can contract the virus by touching a contaminated surface or object, then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

While sanitizing is essential, it’s also important to follow the correct procedures for cleaning your touchscreens in order to avoid damage. Here, Computer Dynamics outlines some useful advice on how to clean our products, and what cleaning agents are safe to use. Cleaning and disinfecting are two important steps to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and to protect staff and visitors from contracting and passing infections.

Preparation 

1. To prepare for cleaning the product make sure the device is not running and not connected to power in any way.
2. We recommend using an industrial grade paper towel, that is stable when wet and does not leave lint.
3. Please use a spray bottle to apply a mist of disinfection solution in a fine layer, we recommend using Isopropyl Alcohol 70% for disinfection. Avoid highly concentrated alcohol (greater than 70% concentration), non-diluted bleach or ammonia solutions, as these may cause discoloration.
4. Wear single-use silicone gloves and face mask when disinfecting the devices to avoid any cross contamination. Do not forget to always wash your hands with water and soap before and after wearing gloves.

Cleaning and Disinfecting 

1. Spray the device from all sides and wipe the solution off with the paper towel, especially in the edges and corners.
2. Do not get liquids inside the unit or spray the product directly. Do not re-use the paper towel for the next devices to avoid cross contamination.
3. Let the device stand for half an hour to let the alcohol residue evaporate before using the device again.
4. Discard the face mask, towels used and gloves appropriately as medical waste.

The Modular PC Concept

There are two typical ways that Industrial PCs are configured.  The first is an all-in-one PC that has an integrated computer and display.  The second approach is to use a separate industrial PC and display with cables running between the two systems.  Each approach has its merits and drawbacks.  The Panel PC solution is typically less expensive and just needs one power input.  The benefit of separating the two pieces is that the display half, if broken, can be replaced cost effectively.

But what if there was an approach that gave you the benefits of both approaches AND added

capabilities for easier serviceability and maintainability while installed in the field?

The Modular display from Computer Dynamics is just such a solution.

The Modular PC offers three display sizes: 15”, 19”, and 21.5” (initially) and two computer options: a higher powered Intel Haswell Core i5 4200U and a lower powered Intel Baytrail ATOM E3845.

Any of the display fronts can be attached to any of the computer backs.  There are no BIOS or DIP switch settings required to setup the different arrangements.  If a display is broken while in use, it can be easily swapped out with a replacement so that you are back up and running in minutes, not hours.

In addition to the flexibility with the design, we have added the ability for our customers to service and maintain equipment easily.  Hard drives, fuses, memory, and PC cards are all easy for a capable PC technician to get to.  Components that require factory servicing require the use of Torx screws, so there is a clear definition of how much work can be done on a system before it needs to be sent back to the factory for service.

The computers used in the the Modular systems are also not a restricted system with limited I/O.  The Haswell Core i5 unit offers the following ports:

The Bay Trail ATOM unit offers the following ports:

In subsequent blog entries, we will go into more detail on each of the computer platforms, how to easily upgrade and service the units, and how quickly a display can be changed if it were to be damaged.

Call us at (866) 599-6512 for more information.

CIMTEC Automation provides Computer Dynamics Industrial Flat Panel systems with Cognex VisionView software

CIMTEC Automation provides Computer Dynamics Industrial Flat Panel systems with Cognex VisionView software.  VisionView is ideal for monitoring and controlling vision systems and industrial ID readers on the factory floor, and allows operator controls specific to the application. The VisionView application software offers the following features:

• Automatic detection. VisionView will automatically detect any Cognex vision system on your network.
• Mix and match Cognex In-Sight systems. VisionView allows you to view up to twelve In-Sight vision systems in a tiled view.
• Graphical interface. VisionView displays full color images, with graphic overlays and operator controls.
• Fast image updates. VisionView provides the most recent inspection images so you can view your process in real-time.
• Access to CustomViews. The operator controls created in the spreadsheet automatically appear in VisionView.
• EasyView display. Items selected from In-Sight EasyBuilder interface software will appear on the VisionView screen, with impressive ease of use.
• Run-time ability to train fonts, without a PC.  No downtime is required during changeovers. Ideal for OCR/OCV applications.

Click here to download an updated information sheet!  Call Computer Dynamics at (704) 227-4600 to learn more.

Selecting a Panel PC

In a previous article, we discussed the various Panel PC options that Computer Dynamics provides.  Computer Dynamics offers so many options so that we can select the right design for your intended end use.  From relatively benign, low vibration applications to wash down, high temperature, and excessive shock and vibration, Computer Dynamics has an offering to meet your price and application needs. 

All of our Panel PCs come with the standard PC I/O you would expect on a modern computer system.  Most of our systems also include legacy ports including PS/2 and serial ports (configurable to RS232/422/485).  All of our Panel PCs run standard operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and the various distributions of Linux.  A few of the platforms also offer PCI slots so that you can add existing PC cards to the Panel PCs for any specialized interfaces required.  Most Panel PCs we offer include 8” to 22” diagonal and touchscreen is always an option.

PAC-RPP: Designed for Military Applications and featuring an Intel ATOM D2550 processor.

PAC-SSX: Stainless Steel enclosed to meet IP65 standards featuring an Intel ATOM D2550 processor.

PAC-PCAP: Enclosed Panel PC with Projected Capacitive Multi-Touch touchscreen and featuring an Intel ATOM D2550 processor.

PAC-WN-D2550: Highly configurable Panel PC with an Intel ATOM D2550 processor.

PAC-WN-N2800: Highly configurable, wide temperature Panel PC with an Intel N2800 processor.

PAC-WN-N2930: Highly configurable Panel PC with an Intel Quad Core N2930 processor.

PAC-OPR: Panel mount Core 2 Duo system for light industrial use

PAC-WN-C2D: Highly configurable Panel PC with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor.

PAC-WN-i5: Highly configurable Panel PC with an Intel Core i3/5/7 processor options.

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of our offerings is that we always offer an upgrade path so that as systems are phased out, you have a path forward to newer hardware that mounts in the same way that our previous products did.  Contact us to ask for drawings or datasheets on any of the platforms listed here.

Intel Haswell Processors Now Offered With Our Rugged Panel PCs

Computer Dynamics continues to offer leading edge processing technology to our Industrial Panel PC users.  This is most evident with Intel's 4th Generation Core i5 Processors (Haswell) being available on our 15.6", 19", and 21.5" Panel PC models.  Haswell Processors (i5-4200M) outperform the third generation Ivy Bridge Processors (i5-3230M) and are an excellent option for all Industrial Applications.

Features

• Intel 4th Generation Core i5
• Haswell QM87 chipset
• Up to 16GB DDR3L 1333/1600 MHz of RAM,
2 x RS232, 1 x RS232/422/485, 4x USB 3.0,
2 x PS/2, 2 x RJ45-10/100/1000Mbps,
1 x VGA (female), 1 x DVI (optional)
• Windows 7 or 8.1 Embedded
• Support Intel V-Pro security functions:
o Intel Active Management Technology (iAMT 9.5)
o Intel Trusted Execution Technology
o Industry-standard Trusted Platform Module 1.2

Passmark Software 2008-2014              

Have it your way, NOW!

Computer Dynamics has been in business for over 30 years and was founded on the principal of providing technology exactly the way our customers want it.  In 1981, this meant custom digital I/O on Z80-based CPUs cards.  Today, this means anything from configuring a system from a wide range of existing choices to building an entire flat panel system including customized single board computers running the latest Intel hardware packaged into specially designed metal work and tested to meet necessary standards.

Customized solutions sometimes bring a negative connotation.  In many cases, customized solutions mean exorbitant development costs, long lead times for development, and proprietary solutions that become painful down the road.  At Computer Dynamics, we understand those concerns and will work with you to minimize the pain caused by each.

With regard to development costs, Computer Dynamics looks at each custom opportunity individually to arrive at the most cost effective way to handle the custom.  Custom work is typically paid for with a Non-recurring Engineering (NRE) Fee that is calculated based on the amount of work required and the total quantity of units needed.  We look to be a long term provider and instead of requiring a large up-front NRE, we would rather like to see your products become successful so you need more product from us. 

Our development times are typically quoted in weeks as opposed to months.  We are able to offer fast lead times because we have such a wide variety of standard products from which to choose to base our initial designs.  No matter what you need, we can usually find something close to a previous design we have done.  In cases where a complete design must be done to accomplish what you need, we are usually still able to provide you with a fast time to prototype and to production due to the amount of design experience we have.

Finally, all of our designs are based on generally available processors and run operating systems like Linux and Microsoft Windows.  There are no unique platforms that lock you in to our designs and products.  Obviously, we hope you like doing business with us and we think you will want to continue to use our products; but, if you want to make a change down the road, you will not have a major issue trying to switch to another vendor’s products.  We hope this makes your decision to use our products an easy one.

Given the long history of Computer Dynamics with designing and providing Industrial PCs along with the Industrial Control knowledge of Cimtec Automation, we are in a unique position to be a long term provider for both your most basic and your most challenging project requirements.

Durable Computer Platform Solution From CDI

A rail company needed a cost effective, durable computer solution that could be mounted and used in their rail cars. We were tasked with creating this custom system and delivered results on time and on budget. Click to read the challenges, our solution and results here.