Tap into the potential of the ever-growing IIoT market with IP69K rated radiofrequency devices that are built for extreme environmental conditions. contact-tracing measures in Singapore with Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) enabled TraceTogether Tokens.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) market has commanded an influx of innovation across industries, introducing ecosystems of sensors, devices and equipment that are connected to a network that promises to optimize assets and resource management, enhance processes, and improve productivity.

With the IIoT market estimated to reach USD263.4 billion by 2027, these technological advancements have enabled businesses in the provision of enhanced IIoT offerings to customers and users. A good example is the integration of smart sensors into industrial machines that lowered operational costs by 50% amongst manufacturers and is expected to decrease further in tandem with the continuous advancement of technology. Furthermore, the development of smart cities and transportation infrastructure has led to an increased adoption of Internet of Things (IoT)—which in turn drives the growth of the IIoT market.

TECHNOLOGY IS ADVANCING RAPIDLY BUT HOW ARE WE KEEPING UP?

Playing catch-up with the rapid advancement of technologies, there is much potential within the IIoT market that remains untapped due to a myriad of factors. The key challenge faced by businesses is the inability to keep up with customers’ requirements due to the lack of innovative Radio Frequency (RF) devices for harsh environments. Under extreme conditions, integrated smart sensors would not be able to function as promised due to factors such as vibration and dust and water ingress. Thisresults in data loss, disrupted processes and operations, and inevitably the incurrence of costsincluding scrap, warranty, service and maintenance costs. These, however, are risks that can be mitigated through the adoption of well-designed and fully encapsulated RF devices.

The IP69K Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) beacon is a ruggedized device for many applications, with digital inputs that can be used as event counters or timers to monitor usage such as engine and motor hours.

BRAVING STORMS WITH IP69K RATED RADIOFREQUENCY SOLUTIONS

RF devices are often subjected to many forms of shock and vibration over a wide range of frequencies and acceleration levels. While it’s assuring to know that newly-assembled RF devices have gone through rigorous testing which include shock and vibration analyses, long-term exposure to vibration can birth issues due to stress fatigue on solder joints, leading to device failures and most importantly, the loss of data and information that impede processes and operations.

Typically, IIoT RF devices are required to have an ingress rating of IP67, high vibration resistance and shock absorption with some requiring high pressure washdown design i.e. waterproof. Through complete encapsulation including internal antenna(s), our solution builds IP69K devices to be impervious to dust, liquid ingress, and vibration and shock. It ensures process and operations continuity even in extreme weather and rough terrain.

Conventional IP69K RF devices use plastic or metal housing with conformally coated PCB assembly or vapor-deposited parylene nano coating that are often high in production costs. Using polyamide and polyolefin thermoplastic to do away with the housing to keep production costs down and components firmly in place, we design and manufacture IP69K devices that are high in protection, yet low in costs—which are then passed on to customers for significant benefits. This encapsulation process has been proven to reduce up to 30% in printed circuit board (PCB) protection and waste costs compared to conventional potting, conformal coating and other sealing methods.

FUTUREPROOFING YOUR BUSINESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT IT OPERATES IN

While tapping on the rapidimportance, manufacturers are too realizing considerable environmental and financial benefits from sustainable business practices.

After all, the benefits from sustainable manufacturing include enhancing community, employee and product safety through creating manufactured products through economically viable processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving natural resources. Our solution enables businesses to tap into the potential of the IIoT market, ensuring the futureproofing of operations for business sustainability, and providing the avenue to move in tandem with the fast-changing technological landscape.

In addition, our encapsulation of IP69K rated RF devices uses only recyclable natural ingredients that produce zero material waste. Epoxy potting is not a viable solution for RF assemblies as it is difficult to control, risks ingress to the antenna area and has a shelf life of only six months. Using polyamide and polyolefin thermoplastic, RF devices can have a longer shelf life of two years.

MOVING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

As we move rapidly towards the capitalization on big data, advanced digital-age technologies, and Industry 4.0, futureproofing our processes and operations to remain competitive seems evermore pressing. With the adoption of IP69K rated RF devices that provide a myriad of benefits, it provides excellent leverage for competition in the IIoT market. From enhancing your current processes and operations to tap on the full potential the IIoT market has to offer, to savings on both costs and resources resulting in value-add in the context of business and environmental sustainability, IP69K rated RF devices are indeed changing the game to open more doors in this advanced digital age.