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- September 2011
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In this issue... |
News from CCS-Inc.In this month's newsletter, CCS is pleased to announce the launch of its new fanless workstation, the ADDAX-i. Find out what makes this FPC stand out from its competitors by reading the product announcement below. Then, learn about the CCS development process by reading a technical article authored by CCS Manufacturing Engineer, Kevin Drum. As always, if you have suggestions for future editions, or if you would like more information on one of the topics below, please let us know. The CCS Team |
CCS-Inc. releases addax-i fanless workstation
On September 13, 2011, CCS-Inc. introduced the ADDAX-i Fanless Workstation atautotestcon the IEEE AUTOTESTCON 2011 trade show, filling a gap in the embedded computer marketplace – the high-end fanless segment.
Built on Intel® Core™ i5/i7 technology with up to 8 GB RAM, the ADDAX-i offers workstation class performance in a rugged and compact chassis. It is ideal for harsh industrial environments where extreme temperatures, air particulates, and vibration can wreak havoc on standard commercial computers, as well as tight spaces too small for these systems.
Fanless computers are frequently specified for their durability and enhanced reliability. With few or no moving parts, they are less susceptible to mechanical failure. Traditionally they are relegated to more basic computing roles because, as processing capabilities increase, the heat produced becomes more and more difficult to manage without forced airflow. The engineering team at CCS-Inc. addressed this limitation in the high-performance ADDAX-i by designing a specialized heat dissipation system. The unit is rated to operate in temperatures ranging from 0 to 55 degrees Celsius.
Numerous product options allow the ADDAX-i to be optimized for its particular function. The two storage drive bays can be equipped with two hard disk drives for maximum storage, dual solid-state drives in a RAID 0 configuration for maximum speed, or a pair of removable solid-state drives in a mirrored RAID 1 setup for extreme reliability. PCI, PCI-e, and MiniPCI-e expansion slots are also available for various I/O requirements.
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The ADDAX-I Fanless Workstation is available now. For more information, please visit www.ccs-inc.com/portfolio/computers-profile/addax-i or contact the CCS Team for help determining the most suitable feature set. |
CCS development process for industrial computer systems
By Kevin Drum, CCS Manufacturing Engineer
When CCS introduces a new product or takes on a custom project, there are several stages of development through which the industrial computer system may progress. Each one allows a different level of technician or engineer to qualify, and accordingly modify, the developing system. Having the option to create a prototype or pilot enables CCS to make sure each product receives the attention and sophistication that it requires.
At the beginning stages of development, Design Engineering may choose to prototype a product. A prototype is usually built when qualifying a multitude of new components. A design that calls for custom fabricated parts – such as those found in CCS’ newly developed fanless workstation, the ADDAX-i – is conceived as a prototype. At this early phase, the product can be tweaked frequently with minimal impact on other departments.
The next potential phase is known as piloting. During this stage, Manufacturing Engineering builds a pilot system to determine the best practices for Production to yield a large volume of the same product. Once the product has reached the piloting phase, hardware changes should be minimal. Assembly documentation is written based on the pilot build, and this documentation is then used by Production for subsequent orders.
After the two engineering phases, a system is passed on to the Production department. In order to handle systems of varying complexity and risk for nonconformance, a hierarchy of levels exists in Production. All orders placed are assigned a certain production level to denote their complexity. An order with a higher production level requires a more experienced technician to integrate the system. Even if a system were to bypass the prototyping or pilot phase due to its simplicity or low volume, Engineering is still involved in the quality inspection process to ensure that customer requirements are met.
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As evidenced by the multi-step development process, collaboration and attention to detail allow CCS to offer its customers a unique level of service, quality, and engineering expertise. If you require a custom industrial computer system, contact us today to determine if The CCS Approach is right for you.
eNGINEERS' READING CORNER
Find out what the Engineers at CCS are interested in by checking out the links below.
- Windows 8 Opens Door to New Chipmakers
- Thunderbolt Heading to Windows PCs in 2012
- Dell Says Idea of Post-PC Era is "Complete Nonsense"
Meet the CCS Team
Name: Heather H Walters
Position: Order Logistics Coordinator
Years at CCS: 4
Responsibilities: I oversee orders that have been entered, create all Bills of Material from Engineering designs, assist in planning, process all service orders, manage sub-assemblies, and assist in Engineering Change Notice processing and order change updates.
Qualifications: B.S. Marketing, Radford University
Favorite Part: Learning new things and feeling like I have added value at the end of the day.
Click here to connect with Heather on Linkedin.
CCS is Hiring!Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings. |
newsletter archiveMiss something? CCS has added a newsletter archive to its website to give customers access to past issues they may have missed. Visit the archive today to stay informed of the latest developments at CCS. |
