In harsh environments such as industrial sites, field exploration, and emergency response, scenarios like heavy rain, accidental water exposure, or even brief underwater operations require devices to have waterproof capabilities.
Tablet rugged PCs, specifically designed for harsh environments, have outstanding waterproof performance as one of their core protective capabilities. How do they achieve ‘waterproofing’? Behind this is a robust manufacturing system that integrates structural design, materials science, and precision manufacturing.
-
Structural Sealing
One of the core design principles of tablet rugged PCs is to establish a solid physical barrier at all potential water ingress points.
1. Multi-layer seals: Silicone or rubber seals are embedded at seams such as screens and buttons to form a physical barrier, preventing water molecules from penetrating.
-
One-piece moulded housing: A seamless shell design eliminates water ingress risks from traditional screw holes or seams.
-
Interface Protection
Essential external interfaces (such as USB, HDMI, Ethernet ports, and charging ports) serve as channels for device-to-external interaction and are also key challenges in waterproof design. Rugged tablet PCs offer mature solutions for this:
-
Waterproof plugs: A simple and reliable physical barrier, this is the most classic and effective method. USB, HDMI, and other external interfaces are equipped with rubber waterproof plugs, which must be manually opened for use and remain sealed when idle.
2. Waterproof buttons: Frequent pressing of physical buttons can damage the seal. Therefore, the rugged tablet PC uses membrane-type buttons or pressure-balancing design (to prevent negative pressure from drawing in moisture) to ensure normal button functionality while maintaining the integrity of the overall seal.
III. Materials and Processes
Achieving waterproof design also relies on suitable materials and advanced processes to ensure the device is both waterproof and durable.
-
Waterproof Materials: The outer shell uses polycarbonate (PC) or ABS+PC composite materials, combined with TPU shock-absorbing edges, balancing sealing performance and impact resistance. In the event of a fall or collision, it absorbs impact force to prevent shell cracking or seal failure.
2. Two-colour injection moulding: Through a combination of soft and hard injection moulding processes, a cushioning layer is formed in vulnerable areas (such as the four corners), while enhancing overall airtightness and eliminating gaps that may arise from secondary assembly.
-
Rigorous Validation
Every qualified rugged tablet PC undergoes a series of rigorous waterproof performance tests before shipment to confirm compliance with protection standards such as IP54, IP65, IP67, and IP68.
1. Pressure Test: The device is submerged in water at depths of 1 to 3 metres for 30 minutes to several hours to verify compliance with IP67/IP68 standards. IP67 typically requires a depth of 1 metre, while IP68 is specified by the manufacturer and is usually deeper, such as 1.5 metres, 2 metres, or more.
2. Air Tightness Testing: Using a professional air tightness tester, clean air or nitrogen is introduced into the internal cavity of the device at a certain pressure, and the rate of internal pressure drop (leakage rate) over a specific period is precisely monitored to ensure there are no gaps in the seal.
Five-in-One
The waterproof capability of a rugged tablet PC is the result of the deep integration of ‘sealed structure + waterproof materials + precision manufacturing processes,’ enabling it to operate stably in various humid, dusty, or even underwater environments, making it a true ‘productivity tool’ suited for harsh industrial environments.
Conclusion
Waterproof performance is a core metric for rugged tablet PCs, and its implementation requires solid engineering expertise and a rigorous manufacturing attitude. #rugged-pc.com, a manufacturer with years of industry experience, has launched rugged tablet PCs that undergo rigorous quality control from structural design, material selection to production processes, and adhere to stringent certification standards, ensuring that each device provides reliable protection in the environments where users need it most.
