Tablets offer an unsurpassed price-performance ratio compared to conventional industrial PC panels. They feature, among other things, a high-resolution touch screen, a powerful processor also for HD video playback, sound, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. They are also robust enough for many applications.
However, a major obstacle to the use of tablets in industrial applications is the comparatively short lifespan. Some models are discontinued after only one year. Common product life cycles and warranty periods in the industrial environment are not possible this way.
Sometimes, however, the benefits outweigh: For a customer who wanted to upgrade his vending machines both visually and in terms of ease of use, we have developed a universal holder with which a tablet can be attached to the machine. If a new tablet type is to be used, only the holder has to be replaced (if at all), but not cabling etc. By using 3D printing in smaller quantities or injection moulding in larger quantities as well as with rigid-flexible printed circuit boards, a safe adaptation of the tablet is guaranteed, which comes without a frame and is hardly noticeable. By the way, even more functionalities for the end-user have been implemented with this solution compared to the former standardized key control element.