Modern manufacturers face huge challenges, though. With stiff competition from the Far East, reliance on currency values abroad, and the increasing costs of raw materials mean that efficiency is increasingly vital for manufacturers.

Digital signage can help improve both processes and communication, two aspects that can increase efficiency and bolster revenue opportunities.

Information Technology has long been an important aspect to manufacturing with computers and other IT part-and-parcel of modern industrial practices, helping to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

Digital signage can also benefit manufacturers, particularly in communication, often difficult in industrial-type areas. Email and other modern communication methods are often not practical in manufacturing areas, which makes communication a challenge; often resulting to old-fashioned systems such as tannoys (often impractical in noisy environments); notice boards (reliant on people visiting and reading it); or word-of-mouth (also impractical in larger premises).

The advantage of using digital signage as a communication method in manufacturing is pretty clear. Relaying information to workers efficiently, clearly, and in real time, enables manufacturing processes to run smoothly and more efficiently, without the delays other communication methods present, but of course, there are disadvantages.

Many manufacturing areas are not conducive to running a digital signage screen with dust, variable temperatures, liquids and risks of impact, and as with industrial computers, protection is critical.

Perhaps the most flexible solution for protecting digital signage displays are LCD enclosures. These provide comprehensive dust and liquid protection (usually to NEMA and IP ratings), and contain climatic controls to maintain a steady internal temperature. They are also tough and rugged (usually manufactured from steel) essential in the rough and tumble world of manufacturing.

An LCD enclosure will also let you choose your own screen, replace it at will, and can keep media players encased too, ensuring all the hardware is protected from damaging elements.

Digital screen in a manufacturing environment

Related Information:

Article on Factory Digital Signage

A US-based creative content and management service are running a webinar on the benefits of digital signage in manufacturing.

Digital Signage in Manufacturing – Protection is a post from: Armagard

The advantages of using screens for relaying important information are plentiful. Not only are digital signage displays far more noticeable and eye-catching, they have the advantage of being able to relay information in real time. They can also be networked which means that content can be uploaded centrally without the need to go round a site and separately pinning up the content.

Digital signage is being used in all sorts of locations both inside and as outdoor digital signage and even industrial and factory floor locations can reap the benefits too.

Obviously, any screen placed in a dusty, wet or otherwise hazardous location needs to be protected but this is simple to achieve by housing the screen in an LCD enclosure.

LCD enclosures are commonly used for outdoor digital signage as their waterproof and temperature controlled environments allow screens to be completely protected, enabling them to function outdoors.

This comprehensive protection, also allows LCD enclosures to house screens in industrial and factory floor locations dust. The LCD enclosure will keep out any dust and other hazards and can even withstand being washed down – even pressure washed, which means they can be used in food manufacturing environments too.

LCD enclosures are also rugged, often made from steel with shatterproof screens they are ideal for busy warehouses and factories where risk of impacts is quite high.

With various methods of mounting, either floor, ceiling and wall, they can be fitted anywhere – even outside, and as LCD enclosure come in a range of sizes they can house almost any regular LCD or plasma screen keeping it protected and ensuring it will run, hassle free, for several years to come.

Industrial Digital Signage is a post from: Armagard

Whilst still a new media, digital signage has traditionally been an indoor method of advertising and information, however, thanks to LCD enclosures the expansion seems to have no ends with LCD enclosures protecting plasmas and LCDs in a myriad of locations from petrol stations, theme parks, shopping malls and even car parks.

Advertising is just one application for digital signage, the uses of this new media are almost endless and can include:
• Public information, news, maps, fire doors etc.
• Corporate messages, employee information, health and safety information, work loads.
• Advertising, right up to point of sale
• Building brand image
• Influencing customer behaviour by targeting information
• Reduce customer anxiety, keeping people entertained or informed in queues
• Create good company image, digital signage looks far better than conventional print advertising

The expansion of outdoor digital signage has opened the door for many of these applications to find their way outside. LCD enclosures not only offer waterproof protection but due to their robust designs and solid steel casings make them vandal and theft proof too allowing piece of mind when the outdoor digital signage device is left unattended.

Its not just outdoor digital signage that benefits from these enclosures either, many LCD enclosures are installed in factories and other hostile areas where high levels of dust, water and other harsh elements would damage an unprotected LCD or plasma.

LCD Enclosures and the Uses of Outdoor Digital Signage is a post from: Armagard

Digital signage does have to endure rougher treatment to the average LCD TV though, especially if it is left in public areas or where it can get easily knocked. A particular hazardous area for LCD and plasma screens is locating them outside.

Outdoor digital signage is becoming increasingly popular thanks to the development of waterproof LCDs and other all-weather digital signage systems. These devices can be expensive though and many of them are often designed with sole purposes in mind so signage used in colder parts of the world may not be suitable for warmer areas and vice versa.

However, an alternative and more flexible solution to outdoor digital signage is to use standard devices. These of course won’t last very long outside in the wind and rain but they can be protected by housing them in an outdoor LCD enclosure. The combined cost of the screen and the LCD enclosure is often a lot less than the price of an outdoor LCD.

Furthermore, these LCD enclosures can be sited in almost any hazardous area from factories and industrial shop floors to wet rooms and even operating theatres. As modern flat screen TV’s have a limited lifespan and LCD enclosure will help lengthen this but also as they house standard LCD TV equipment they can be reused time and time again by replacing the enclosed LCD.

Many of the LCD enclosures are designed and built to guidelines such as the European IP65 or the American NEMA 4 rating ensuring the protection they offer.

Alternative Solution to Outdoor Digital Signage is a post from: Armagard

Here are some of the most common NEMA codes used in the industrial computer enclosure industry:

Type 3R – Cabinet constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, and snow; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 4 – NEMA 4 Computer enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, and hose-directed water; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 4X – protection unit constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, hose-directed water, and corrosion; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 6 – PC Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against hose-directed water and the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion at a limited depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 6P – cabinet constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against hose-directed water and the entry of water during prolonged submersion at a limited depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 12 – computer cabinet constructed (without knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint and fibres, and against dripping and light splashing of liquids.

NEMA Codes Explained is a post from: Armagard

NEMA codes are similar in effect to the European IP rating system (Ingress Protection) but are established by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) of North America.

However, unlike the European system designated under the IEC the NEMA rating uses a single digit code to signify the protection the enclosure will offer. The code not only signifies how much protection is offered against foreign bodies (such as dust and dirt) and liquids but also designates whether the enclosure can operate outdoors or indoors (or indeed both).

It should be noted however that the numerical size of the number does not signify the greater resistance to penetration from foreign bodies and water unlike the European IP rating in which the higher the number the greater the protection.

To understand the NEMA system it is best to take a look at a few examples. NEMA 4 is perhaps the most widely used NEMA code. NEMA 4 enclosures can be found in all sorts of industrial settings this is because the NEMA 4 code suggests the enclosure: “is constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, and hose-directed water; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.”

Now if you contrast the NEMA 4 enclosure with NEMA 5 that offers: “computer enclosure constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against settling airborne dust, lint and fibres; and to provide a degree of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids.” It can be seen that NEMA 4 offers better protection against water and can be used outdoor which is why NEMA 4 enclosure are more often found in industrial applications.

Industrial Computers and NEMA Codes is a post from: Armagard

The two digits signify the protection against solid objects (the first digit) and liquids (the second digit. The greater the number then the greater the protection is offered by the enclosure.

IP 54

The IP 54 enclosure has a a 5 value for dust protection that signifies that it is almost dust tight: “    Ingress of dust is not totally prevented, but dust shall not penetrate in a quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the apparatus or to impair safety” while the 4 indicates protection against splashing water, where: “water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.”

IP 54 enclosures are often found in warehouse or industrial areas where there is dust but little use of water. An IP 54 computer enclosure is ideal for packing or despatch areas or other areas where dirt and dust are prevalent.

IP 65

The IP65 enclosure offers more protection than the IP54. IP65 enclosure are completely dust tight (signified by the number 6) whilst offering enough protection from water that it can be projected in jets against the enclosure from any direction and shall have no harmful effects.

IP65 enclosures are often found in food processing plants or other  areas where there is liberal use of water and fluids.

IP 66

IP 66 enclosures are less commonly found. IP 66 enclosures offer complete dust proof protection and are completely waterproof from high power jet. These devices are only used where there is liberal amounts of water and where there are high levels of dust. The reason they are uncommon is that liberal use of water quite often reduces the amount of dust in the air so companies that use IP66 devices may find that an IP65 computer enclosure works just as well.

The Most Commonly Used IP codes is a post from: Armagard

IP stands for ‘ingress protection’ and is usually assigned to enclosures and in industrial computers this is the enclosure that houses the PC. IP defines how much protection the enclosure can offer in protecting the device, in this case an industrial computer, from penetration of foreign bodies.

IP ratings where established by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) under guidance from CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) as a way of providing guidance and standardization to enclosures, however, IP ratings are now used throughout the electrical industry denoting the protection afforded by all types of seals.

The IP rating comes in the form of digits, the first denotes the level of protection the enclosure offers against foreign bodies such as dust or dirt; the second digit denotes how protection the enclosure offers against water.

To examine the effectiveness of enclosures it is best to look at two of the most common IP ratings. IP54 is often used for enclosure in warehouse or factory conditions. The IP rating of 5 (first digit) suggests the enclosure will protect extremely well against dust, although not entirely dust tight, it will  dust will ensure only a minimal amount of dust enters the unit and not enough to inhibit the device. The second digit 4 suggests the IP54 enlcosure will also offer protection against the splashing of water although it will not guarantee protection from water jets or immersion.

IP65 is another common IP rating used in industrial computers. This IP rating offers dust tight protection (first digit 6) whilst the second digit (5) suggests the unit will protect against hose-down and water jets. For this reason IP65 enclosures are often used in the food manufacturing and production industries or other sectors where there is liberal use of water.

Industrial Computers and IP Ratings is a post from: Armagard

An industrial computer enclosure is put simply a box that protects a housed computer. It does not necessarily take the place of a normal PC enclosure but acts as a containing unit where an entire PC can be installed inside to gain protection from the elements of an industrial environment.

Many industrial areas contain hazards that can cause severe problems for a standard computer. Dust, dirt, fluids and the rough and tumble of factory floors can prove to much for the sensitive electronics of standard computer.

Can I use an industrial enclosure instead of a bespoe industrial PC?

Yes. In fact an industrial computer enclosure has all the benefits of an industrial computer with none of the drawbacks.  Not only can an industrial computer enclosure offer the same protection against dust, water, dirt, knocks, bangs and excessive temperatures it offer a flexibility that a bespoke industrial computer simply can’t match.

Industrial computers are often built with reliable but outdated components for the simple reason that they are often solid state and sealed units making repairs extremely difficult to carry out. Because of this many industrial machines are generations behind their desktop counterparts in terms of technology. With an industrial enclosure there is no need for this outdated technology. A normal off-the shelf PC with specifications to suit your need. If all goes wrong, then unlike a conventional industrial computer all is not lost. There is no need to shut down production whilst an engineer is on his way, simply open up the enclosure and repair, upgrade or just replace the housed PC.

How do I know what protection it offers?

Industrial computer enclosures are rated to industry standards. Both the European IP rating (ingress protection) and the USA’s NEMA rating (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) are used to identify the protection that is offered. As an example an IP code, an IP 65 computer enclosure, protects to a high level from solid objects (the first number = 6) and a reasonably good protection from water (the second number = 5). Alternatively Nema 4 describes an enclosure that provides a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, and hose-directed water

Can I use it in explosive atmospheres?

Yes. Some industrial computer enclosures satisfy the European ATEX directive (explosive atmospheres) these enclosures have often the ability to operate in ATEX zone 2 which are areas that have a reasonable but severe possibility of explosions being caused by dust levels in the atmosphere.

Industrial Computer Enclosures – Common Questions is a post from: Armagard

An industrial computer needs to be able to withstand such hazards as dust, dirt, grime and water, whilst still being rugged enough to withstand the odd knock and bang from a forklift or pallet truck.

Because of these demands an industrial PC is built solid state or embedded, with little of no moving parts, are intrinsically sealed to protect from dust and water and tend to run outdated but proven technology to ensure that they are reliable.

However, designing computers in such a way also has its disadvantages. When an industrial computer breaks down very rarely can it be repaired in-house and the sealed unit would have to be sent for repair or taken out of service until an engineer has called.

Also because most industrial computers are sealed it is often near-impossible to upgrade them and as many industrial PC’s are already using outdated technology they soon need to be replaced to ensure that production is utilising the most efficient possible means.

Industrial computer are also highly expensive and while many do last for many years because of the exponential rate computers advance they soon become outdated.

Fortunately a better solution for industrial computers is to use a standard office PC an house it in an industrial computer enclosure. These enclosures afford the same protection as a specific industrial computer but allow the flexibility of repairing or changing the computer inside the enclosure.

Many enclosures are IP rated (ingress protection) and some can even withstand explosive atmospheres (ATEX). However, the main advantage is that an enclosure will cost a fraction of the price of a standard industrial computer and that includes the cost of the enclosed desktop PC. They will also outlast several generations of computer so the savings can be forwarded year after year.

Alternatives to an Industrial Computer is a post from: Armagard