Market
Portable Data Devices
Insuring operability under the most challenging of situations
Stockwell Elastomerics provides many components for portable data acquisition, measuring and sensing devices, and ruggedized equipment, including:
- Bar code scanners
- Tag readers
- Hand-held data devices
- Air monitoring devices
- Chemical monitoring sensors
Components include:
- Battery cover gaskets
- Door gaskets
- Touchscreen gaskets
- LCD gaskets
- Thermal interface pads
- Internal cushioning pads
- Molded shock absorber pads
These uses often require gaskets or pads with special properties for resiliance, longevity, and inertness or that meet special requirements for flame rating, temperature rating, moisture resistance, electrical conductivity, ESD protection and EMI shielding.
The Need for “Ruggedization”
Portable data acquisition devices such as scanners, tag readers, sensors and computing devices are often required to be “ruggedized” – maintaining full functionality in outdoor conditions, food freezers, shipping terminals and warehouses with broad temperature extremes and moisture conditions. These units are either held-held, belt-suspended, mounted in a cradle or combinations of any of the above.
Sealing and Cushioning of Scanners and Readers
Stockwell Elastomerics regularly assists mechanical engineers in this growing and innovative business sector. Battery cover gaskets, door gaskets, and touchscreen gaskets are often fabricated from PORON® cellular urethane and silicone sponge. Thermal interface pads may be required for devices with higher power requirements. Smaller, battery-powered devices may require internal cushioning pads, such as in the battery compartment, to maintain power and functionality if the unit is dropped during use. Heavier devices may require a molded shock absorber to protect an LCD assembly or similar fragile component in the device.
From our experience, the gaskets and cushioning pads are often the last components specified – and our sampling and prototyping capabilities exist to support this need.
Protection of Air and Chemical Monitoring Sensors
Air monitoring and chemical analysis devices are no longer just used in the laboratory under ideal conditions. Designers are ruggedizing these devices for monitoring and reporting chemical spills and protecting first responders. These devices often require molded seals and heavier shock isolation capability to survive the punishment one might expect in emergency situations. Flame rated and high temperature silicone rubber often replaces neoprene sponge and PORON® cellular urethane for these gasket applications.
Water Jet Cut Prototypes
The accumulated production tolerances of molded plastic housings, doors and covers may cause situations where the original gasket concept has to be changed. Stockwell Elastomerics’ water jet cutting capability exists to support your requirements for fast turn gasket samples prior to the start of production. Stockwell Elastomerics has in inventory a broad range of gasketing and cushioning materials to support our rapid response to these common situations.
Contact Stockwell Elastomerics
Contact Us for further assistance with custom gaskets for portable data devices and ruggedized devices.
