IEE Case Studies

Challenges

Due to the extreme space environment characterized by extreme light and dark conditions, optical performance criteria was a key challenge, requiring additional lab testing to validate the best optical design approach. In addition, providing contrast ratio in high ambient light over wide viewing angles required special consideration.  

Challenges:

Finding a replacement panel was not as simple as it sounds. First, the original design used a 3.8” monochrome display. Our customer decided to take this opportunity to upgrade the product to feature a full-color TFT monitor. The original design used the screen in a landscape configuration. However, most color LCDs in that size range are intended for the mobile phone market and are designed to be used in a portrait orientation.

Challenges:

Due to a dirty operating environment, dust and debris had penetrated into the current panel as the case wasn’t sealing properly. The client needed a replacement 10.4 inch LCD and bezel, with an interface card that could mount in their existing box. This would be replacing an older CRT display.

Solutions:

Selecting the right choice of materials that are compatible with existing LCD surface treatments and cover material (glass, polycarbonate etc.) is a critical expertise that sets IEE apart from competitors.

Challenges:

An unusually thick piece of glass is too heavy for standard optical bonding. IEE needed to find just the right adhesive formulation and cure cycle-time to properly adhere the glass.

Some of the issues they faced using the polycarbonate sheet included “out-gassing” and UV light blockage, both of which inhibit cure time.

Solutions:

Challenges:

The client was looking for open frame display panels that would mount into outdoor ticket vending machines. Many of these custom-designed kiosks would be used in outdoor transportation venues, which meant that the screens had to be sunlight readable and be able to operate in extreme heat and cold. Furthermore, some kiosks would be deployed on train platforms and other locations that were subject to substantial vibration from passing trains and busses.

Challenges:

The teller camera needed to be embedded into the display and mounted onto an articulated arm. This was being viewed at a 45-degree angle, so IEE had to change the interface board to reverse the image. Additional support for various video delivery methods was also required.

The banking customers uses a pneumatic tube to complete their transactions, which causes additional vibration to the display and surrounding enclosure.

Challenges:

A key challenge was designing and fabricating the interface card and back panel in a way that would allow this to be a drop-in replacement for the existing panel. Integrating the custom metal front panel assembly with tight sub-millimeter tolerances was also required, along with versions with and without floppy disk insertion. The customer also needed a short and a tall version of the assembly.

An additional challenge was fabricating a solution, which minimized the re-certification efforts.

Solutions:

Challenges:

Rapid prototyping of a Mil-Aero display requires zero tolerances for error. The unit was needed within days.

Solutions:

IEE developed the required 8.4-inch display with the required functionality. We also added a bezel with 24 NVIS Green B backlit key and 4 rocker switches. This unit was optically tested to MIL-STD-3009, environmentally tested to MIL-STD-810, and EMI/EMC tested to MIL-STD-461.

Challenge: