Extreme Applications: Components for Harsh Environments
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Harsh working environments are common in many industrial applications, whether that is extreme temperatures, exposure to corrosive elements or where there is a higher likelihood of equipment being damaged.
So, how can you assure that your machinery and devices are better protected? Keep reading to find out!
Extreme Applications
Under the Sea
There are many applications and industries that require the use of equipment that needs to be able to withstand partial or complete submersion in water.
For example, many organisations that undertake underwater research rely on unmanned vehicles known as Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) or Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to reach depths that would be dangerous for divers. These devices therefore require components that are completely resistant to water damage.
Up in the Air
Aerospace is another industry that requires hard-wearing components, as any aircraft will be exposed to high moisture, wild temperature variations and particulates in the air. Spacecraft and satellites are an even more extreme example, as they face accelerated material degradation and corrosion from rapid thermal cycling, atomic oxygen and intense radiation.
Anything being used in the aerospace industry is obviously designed to be able to withstand very extreme environments, as even minor damage can quickly become extremely dangerous. But this structural integrity and longevity can be improved with corrosion-resistant components.
Hot and Cold
Aside from exposure to corrosive materials, equipment and components can also be affected by extremes in temperature.
Some examples of exceedingly high temperature environments include workshops and factories where metal and glass products are manufactured, as well as power plants and civil engineering jobs such as road laying. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are some ice cold working environments, such as industrial cold storage and freezers and polar research stations.
Teams working in both hot and cold environments therefore need components that are able to continue working at extremely high and low temperatures.
On the Ground
Whilst a dusty environment doesn’t sound quite as serious as some of the things we’ve already mentioned, dust and small particles can be just as damaging to equipment. In applications such as construction, mining, military operations and agriculture, machinery and devices can be exposed to a high amount of dust, sand or mud.
As time goes on, any small gaps or cracks in equipment can become clogged with dirt and will eventually stop working. So to prevent this, it is crucial to select hard-wearing and adequately sealed components.
Hard-Wearing Components
In harsh environments, you need hard-wearing components that will last for a long time and keep your equipment protected against wear and tear. Fortunately, we offer a variety of switches and indicators that fit the bill.
Anti-Vandal Push Buttons
One of our most popular products for these extreme applications is our range of anti-vandal push buttons, as they are designed to be very durable and prevent intentional or accidental damage.
These metal switches are protected up to an IP67 rating, which means that they are completely protected against dust and water immersion for 30 minutes between depths of 15cm and one metre.
Available with a low profile, a high current, RGB LED illumination or many other variations, these buttons are suitable for a vast range of uses.
Anti-Vandal Rocker and Toggle Switches
If you’re looking for an alternative to push buttons, we also supply anti-vandal rocker and toggle switches. These two recently launched products are designed to provide all the best bits from our vandal-resistant push buttons, but with a toggle or rocker actuator instead. These switches can be customised with a variety of LED illumination styles and materials.
For applications that require smaller switches, we offer miniature toggles and rockers that are available with metal or plastic actuators and still with protection up to an IP67 rating.
Emergency Stop Buttons
In any harsh or dangerous environment, it is crucial for machinery to be equipped with an emergency stop (or e-stop) button, as they are designed to immediately stop any actions or processes in the case of an emergency.
Our panel mount e-stops are available in a range of shapes and sizes, with an IP65 rating for complete protection against dust and against water projected from a nozzle. These buttons come with optional LED illumination and etched designs.
Metal LED Indicators
Alongside all of our switches, we also offer metal LED indicators which can be used to signal when a system is working and/or when there is an error.
With an IP67 rating and a stainless steel body, these indicators are another great option for harsh environments, as they are resistant to damage from water, dust and more general wear and tear.
Available in a range of shapes and colours from 6mm to 30mm, we have metal LED indicators to match a wide variety of requirements.
Silicone Switch Covers
When ordering our products, did you know that you can also purchase silicone covers to add to many of our switches? These covers add an even higher degree of protection to our components whilst still allowing for full functionality.
In Summary
If you want equipment and machinery to work in applications with extreme temperatures or where they will be exposed to large amounts of dust, water, or even radiation, you first need switches and components that are tough enough to do the job.
To find out more about our anti-vandal components or any of our other products, speak to our experienced Sales Engineers today. We can help you to bring your project to life!
Interested in our products? Speak to us today!
How to place an order?
We operate Monday – Thursday (8 am – 5 pm) and Fridays (8 am – 4.30 pm)
Call us on +44 (0) 1234 213600 to speak to our Sales Engineers or e-mail us
on [email protected] alternatively, leave us a message using our online contact form.
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