Robust Handheld Housing For Industrial Force And Vibration Measuring Devices

For its digital force measuring devices of the PCE-DFG and PCE-LFG series, PCE Produktions- und Entwicklungs GmbH opted for BOS-Streamline housings from Bopla in graphite gray with a continuous membrane keyboard. The company is a 100 percent subsidiary of PCE Holding GmbH, which also includes the sales company PCE Deutschland GmbH. The dynamometers for precise tensile and compressive force measurements up to 500 N and with resolutions of 0.05 N or 0.0005 N are each equipped with six different measuring tips and have an R-232 and a USB interface. They are supplied with the appropriate measurement software for data evaluation. The dynamometer measures 184 × 94 × 35 mm (L × W × H), weighs around 1 kg and is suitable for quality control in the production area,for incoming and outgoing goods inspection as well as for the development of new components or for testing safety-relevant components. The device is powered by batteries with a duration of 16 hours in continuous operation.

Continuously printed display screen

For the self-aligning, large, illuminated graphic display, the housing of the force measuring device was given a continuous, printed display panel. It is operated using four capacitive buttons. Bopla not only supplied the bare BOS housing, but also took over the product-specific processing of the housing and prepared everything for mounting the electronics. The back of the housing was stabilized with an aluminum plate dimensioned with double security to prevent the housing from twisting during the force measurement. Bopla also provided the front of the housing with an adhesive layer that could be used to attach the display panel. The display was integrated using the Bopla casting technology, which is protected as a utility model, and is intended to guarantee that the display can be installed in the housing without play."Welding in the additional domes for the precisely fitting screwing of the circuit board into the housing was also demanding," recalls Torsten Penassa, head of the HMI system technology department at Bopla in Bünde. In addition, the housing received cutouts for the data connections at the bottom, cutouts for the shaft of the sensor at the top, and a flange cutout on the cover side for in-depth installation of the capacitive keyboard and the display.Milled above for the shaft of the measuring sensor and a flange milling on the cover side for the deep installation of the capacitive keyboard and the display.Milled above for the shaft of the measuring sensor and a flange milling on the cover side for the deep installation of the capacitive keyboard and the display.

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Picture gallery with 6 pictures

"The BOS Streamline is an ergonomic handheld case that is characterized by its quality and its convincing design," says Jörg Gerke, Managing Director at PCE. "We want to expand our own brand. All products should clearly belong to a series. For this we needed a housing that has a high recognition value and at the same time is versatile and flexible,”says Gerke.

Recognizable housing

The BOS-Streamline series has different housing sizes and there is the option of choosing between housing variants with and without a battery compartment. In addition, the “waisted” shape of the housing should make it stand out comfortably from other designs and lie comfortably in the hand. Bopla offers the ergonomically shaped handheld case in six basic sizes and two standard colors (light and graphite gray). Special colors can be realized on request, as can the shock protection seal made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), which is optionally available in five colors. It ensures a high degree of protection (IP65) and protects the housing when it falls. It also offers color options. By simply turning the housing half-shells made of ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers) by 180 °, straight or desk-shaped designs can be displayed.All upper housing parts have a lowered membrane keyboard surface. They are available with a display screen or a continuous film surface. On request, all housings can be equipped with a lanyard attachment.

casing

Housing for water treatment

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Bocube aluminum housings pass the IP69 test

Vibration measuring devices with battery compartment and shock protection seal

For the handy and very light, 225 g weight vibration measuring device PCE-VT-2700 or PCE-VT-2700S, PCE chose a graphite gray BOS Streamline housing with display screen, membrane keypad and battery compartment as well as a bright blue shock protection seal. The handheld case has a four-digit LCD display and measures 142 × 77 × 40 mm (L × W × H). The compact vibration meter is recommended for maintenance workers for quick checking of vibrating parts, machines and systems. It shows the vibration acceleration, the vibration speed and the vibration travel directly on the display. The processing of the housing for this application was comparatively simple. It was milled out at the top for the connector of the sensor. Below, Bopla provided outputs for the data cable and headphones.In addition, the housing specialists provided the cover with a cutout for the display.

“Before the housings went into series production, Bopla first sent us a drawing for coordination and then a first sample housing in which we could install our electronic components on a trial basis. Everything fitted right away,”recalls Jörg Gerke, who had known Bopla enclosures from a previous job and was also impressed by the good cooperation this time. Not least because of this, PCE also decided for the housings for its new stationary wind speed alarm controller for products from Bünde. (sh)