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DFI
Rugged Computer and Production Line Simulation
DFI realized Smart Manufacturing in COMPUTEX 2019
The idea of Industry 4.0 has inspired smart manufacturing on a global scale. DFI, world's leading manufacturer of industrial computers, has been showcasing various solutions such as AIoT smart factory, rugged industrial computers and Adaptive Display Platform designed specifically for this emerging trend during COMPUTEX Taipei 2019. In the AIoT section, DFI simulated a manufacturing plant to give visitors a view of the smart manufacturing system in action.
Simulation of AIoT smart manufacturing
For conventional factories characterized by undesirable work environment, outdated equipment and poor production efficiency that pose concerns about quality and safety, artificial intelligence presents a viable solution. In the AIoT section, DFI has been simulating an actual production line using its industrial-grade solutions to present to visitors how environmental data is gathered through a sensor network, how data is processed through edge computing for real-time response, how machines can be used to perform visual inspections at the end of the production line, and how HMI can be incorporated to visualize information and for production line control.
According to DFI, the future of smart factory will progress towards AIoT, which involves an integration of "AI," "IoT" and "5G" technologies. This section demonstrated how DFI's AIoT products are used to realize factory automation, and was divided into two main areas: a factory site featuring automated optical inspection (AOI), voice control, human-machine interface (HMI), equipment monitoring and Wi-SUN transmission technology that gathers and sends equipment data to the edge computing system for preliminary analysis; and a control room where data is received via 5G communication for remote monitoring. By leveraging resources of the BenQ/ Qisda fleet, DFI is able to deliver a full range of timely, flexible and quality-assured services. It has the ability to satisfy customers' needs for diversity and customized solutions, from main boards of various sizes to embedded systems tailored for specific uses. Furthermore, 5G equipment from Alpha Network and cybersecurity appliances from AEWIN Technologies provide the perfect complement to DFI's AIoT smart factory solutions.
Multifunctional in-vehicle system for diverse transportation requirements
DFI offers a series of in-vehicle systems targeted for bus applications such as telematics, specialized form factor and driver fatigue detection. DFI's in-vehicle systems feature exceptional heat dissipation capabilities and are certified for shock resistance, which provide greater stability and reliability when operating under harsh environment. A public transportation system has the need to expose substantial amount of information in an outdoor environment, often within limited or odd shaped spaces, and DFI offers computers in special form factors to address this requirement. Since most traffic accidents are fatigue-related, DFI has incorporated driver fatigue detection software into telematics that can be used in many applications to minimize chances of accident.
Rugged computer for the toughest environment
Rugged computer is a variant of computer products that has been specially designed, produced and tested to operate under the toughest environment and weather conditions. This category of computers are typically designed to resist water, dust, shock and extreme temperatures at the same time, so that they may remain operational free of malfunction with minimal unexpected downtime under extreme temperatures and environment, such as high-latitude nations and desert areas. DFI's embedded products are currently being operated at Russian power plants at an extremely low temperature. These products have been built with industrial grade parts of wide temperature tolerance, including 100% Japan-made solid capacitors for longevity and reliability.
DFI's rugged, wide temperature tolerance series are built with parts that operate at -40 to 85°C and feature fanless, high resistance and durable designs to achieve stability under the most extreme environment. To further satisfy customers' needs, DFI has collaborated with partners to provide PCB protective coating service that further extends the lifetime of industrial computers under humid, dusty and corrosive conditions. DFI's water and shock-resistant industrial computers have been rigorously tested for durability to operate under harsh factory environment and for in-vehicle applications. DFI also assists its customers with express durability tests, simulating extreme temperatures, shocks and humidity levels to detect and prevent product defect in as early as the design stage.
Adaptive Display Platform for cost reduction and versatility
Cost is a critical concern for the manufacturing industry. To save customers the trouble of replacing an entire computer for malfunction of the touch control, DFI will be showcasing its Adaptive Display Platform (ADP) during the exhibition, which introduces modular design for touchscreen computers. ADP not only helps customers save cost by upgrading or replacing either a box or a panel module, but also provides the flexibility of combining touchscreens or industrial computers of different computing platforms and performance and panel sizes based on the requirements of a specific industry. DFI’s ADP is the utmost design of demonstrating a high degree of interchangeability, functionality and flexibility of touchscreen computers.