When the U.S. Navy launches a missile during a tropical cyclone, its lethal precision must not be compromised by the elements. Would you trust the device you are reading this on to operate a missile system with pinpoint accuracy? Of course not. Harsh and unpredictable environments call for more than your average electronic enclosure. Whether it’s corrosive salt fog, blinding dust storms, extreme climate conditions or jolting vibrations, the end result is to ensure reliable, uninterrupted compute performance.
To deliver that level of consistency and dependability for both military and industrial applications, Crystal Group rugged computer chassis boast side walls constructed from milled 6000-series aircraft aluminum – not bent metal, which is no match for mother nature. And we don’t stop there.
Enclosures are further strengthened with internal support structures and front and rear plates made from milled plate stock, while the base plate is structurally bonded and mechanically fastened to the side walls. This ensures that the software and data inside the unit are just as secure as the exterior. In tandem, factoring in both internal and external design and construction details deliver additional performance benefits to customer applications, including:
- Reliable thermal conductivity. The 6000-series aluminum craftsmanship provides twice the thermal conductivity of 1018 CR steel, which protects critical components and systems from extreme hot and cold temperatures.
- Enhanced electrical conductivity. Interior bracing constrains emissions and reduces EMI.
- Minimal vibration. Built with thick side rails, front and rear end plates, and center brackets bonded with a high-temperature structural epoxy ensures the system won’t rattle when subjected to external vibration. Additional features limit internal vibrations transferred from fans and the power supply.
- Rigorous standards. All systems are designed and tested to meet or exceed IEEE, IEC, and military standards, like MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-S-901E, MIL-STD-167-1.
Starting with this level of rugged reliability protects the operational integrity and enables seamless performance of both computer hardware and software in the roughest terrains, toughest applications, and most extreme environments. Without a reliable foundation in place, systems may survive temporarily, but in remote or forward-deployed conditions, the stakes are too high and the risks are too great to depend on equipment that can faulter without warning.