Case study: Use of industrial PCs in laser technology

Laser processing of surfaces and materials, such as metals and stents (small mesh-like tubes used to support blood vessels), requires the highest levels of accuracy and precision in both measurement and material processing. Many systems operate 24/7 and the computers are difficult to access once installed, so reliability and durability are critical. To meet the requirements of a wide range of applications in industries as diverse as semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, automotive, security pressure, medical products, photovoltaic cells, paper and laser cusing, a highly flexible platform is required that can be optimised for each application – from the provision of specific interfaces to the installation of additional electronics. InoNet developed a special rack system for a customer in the measurement and laser technology sector, which is now used for precise laser measurement and processing. The requirements ranged from the customer’s corporate design, including a screen printed logo and painted front, to mounting brackets and chassis dimensions. The customer previously used a backplane-based system. The new chassis design allows the use of ATX mainboards, providing a wide range of interfaces. At the same time, the design maintains expandability. The chassis had to be only 2U high to allow easy installation into the existing solution.