Description
This design and configuration is an example of a solution we’ve produced for one of our customers and
will hopefully serve to provide you with an idea of what we can produce.
Project Overview: Harsh Environment Electronic Test Equipment
This project involved the design and manufacture of a portable test system for deployment in extremely harsh environments, specifically on oil rigs. The core challenge was to integrate a capable PC system—a 3.5” Single Board Computer with an Intel Elkhart Lake processor—and the client’s own measurement electronics into a compact, fully sealed unit.
A critical requirement was achieving a waterproof certification of IP65 for the system, not just when closed for storage, but also when open during operation. BVM also developed a bespoke cooling solution to ensure the internal temperature remained stable during component measurement, guaranteeing reliable and accurate performance in the field.
Core Design Requirements
- Harsh Environment Design: Create a robust test system for extreme conditions, successfully integrating the client’s specialised measurement systems and required I/O.
- Sealed Computing Solution: Integrate a modern 3.5” Single Board Computer into a compact, portable, and completely sealed unit.
- Strict IP Rating: The system must be certified waterproof to IP65 standards for both storage (lid closed) and active operation (lid open).
- Custom Integration & Cooling: Accommodate the client’s custom electronics and provide a bespoke cooling solution to ensure the system remains thermally stable.
Application & Deployment: Oil, Gas & Renewable Energies
This portable system is used for the detailed inspection and monitoring of critical electrical components in the field.
Its primary function is to help engineers locate and identify potential issues, such as degradation or faults, in order to accurately determine the remaining operational lifespan of a component. This is crucial for predictive maintenance schedules, ensuring the safety and efficiency of high-value infrastructure.
Solution Specifications
| HMI | Display: 10.1” WXGA (1280×800) | Power | Input: 110/240v > 12V DC |
| Touch: Projective Capacitive (pCAP) | Operating System | OS: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise | |
| PC Engine | Processor: Intel Elkhart Lake J6412 | Mechanical | Enclosure: Pelicase 1400 |
| RAM: 4GB DDR4 3200MHz | Internal Electronics | Client’s Custom Test Equipment | |
| Storage: 32GB eMMC, 64GB M.2 SSD | Internal I/O | USB: 5x USB 2.0, 3x USB 3.1 | |
| External I/O | USB: 2 x IP67 USB 3.1 | Video: 1x LVDS, 1x eDP, 2x HDMI | |
| Test Ports: 2 x IP67 2-Pin Connector | Serial: 1x RS232, 1x RS232/422/485 | ||
| Other: SATA 3, GPIO, TPM | |||
| Certifications | IP Rating: IP65 | ||
| General: UKCA |
**The configuration detailed above is an example of a successful client system; we can customise any aspect of our Pelicase PC solutions to meet customers unique requirements.
Customisation, Performance and Reliability
Our Build to Order: Our Rugged, Portable Peli Case PCs never need resuscitation.
Customization: Built on the South Coast of England BVM’s industrial and embedded systems can be configured to any specification.
Performance: Our industrial and embedded systems are available with a wide range CPU’s ranging from Intel Celeron to the latest Intel Core i7 CPU’s.
Reliability: Built from the highest quality industrial components BVM’s industrial and embedded systems are designed to run 24/7 in the harshest of environments.
Portable, Ruggedized PC Solutions with Electronic Test Equipment and touchscreen interactivity…….
For customers requiring a robust PC that is ruggedized by design yet remains lightweight and portable, BVM offers a specialist design and manufacturing service to create your ideal ‘system in a case’. We understand that no two applications are the same. Our service is entirely tailored to your exact technical and environmental requirements, ensuring you get a solution that is fit for purpose, reliable, and built to last.
Why Choose a BVM Custom Solution?
Customers choose our bespoke solutions as a superior alternative to off-the-shelf rugged laptops or tablets. Our Peli Case PCs offer:
- Superior Protection: Provides better protection against impact and vibration, with custom IP ratings available to protect against dust and water ingress.
- Integrated Systems: A perfect solution for combining specialized instrumentation, computing hardware, and I/O into a single, cohesive, and portable package.
- Bespoke by Design: Where a standard rugged computer won’t meet the need, we deliver a custom-engineered solution with the exact HMI, performance, and connectivity you require.
Extensive Customisation Options
We can tailor almost any parameter to meet your project’s needs. Here is a selection of available options:
- Peli Case Enclosures: Utilise Peli’s wide range of case sizes to suit any footprint or equipment requirement.
- Processing Power: Integrate modern computing platforms, from low-power Intel Atom to high-performance desktop Intel Core i7 processors (up to 65W TDP).
- LCD & Touchscreens: Choose from display sizes ranging from 7.0” to 21” with either resistive or PCAP touch interactivity for your HMI.
- Connectivity: Integrate the latest in wireless technology, including LTE (4G/5G), Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
- Storage & Expansion: A variety of Solid State Drive (SSD) options and internal expansion slots (mPCI-E, M.2, PCI-Express) are available.
- Custom Electronics: We can integrate electronics provided by you or design and manufacture custom controller boards in-house.
- Bespoke Fascias & Cabling: Custom-milled internal and external fascias to provide the exact I/O and user interactivity you need, supported by custom internal cabling.
- Enhanced Security: Solutions can be made tamper-proof with locking mechanisms and a choice of handle grips.
- Long-Term Availability: We focus on product reliability and ensure lifetime availability for your system, often exceeding 5 years.
Our Collaborative Design Process
Our service is geared towards creating production-ready solutions. While we cannot cater for ‘one-off’ projects, we provide a structured, collaborative process for our partners:
- Requirement Specification: The process begins with you providing a specification of your needs.
- Technical & Commercial Discussion: We work with you to refine the design and scope.
- Prototyping: A prototype is developed for your testing, evaluation, and final sign-off.
- Production: Following approval, we move to the full production of your units.
Let’s Build Your Solution
To get the exact system you want, talk to our expert team today. We are always happy to provide help and advice for your next project.













