Laptop or tablet in wet environment
We're being pushed to 'go digital' in our facility.
Our processing area is very wet and humid and has poor wifi signals. We do have a couple tablets that record temps but they have trouble connecting at times.
I was thinking a basic laptop stationed at the QC station, were the QC staff inputs data into their forms on the laptop. Then once a week, I'd load that information onto a thumb drive and use that to transfer data to the shared drive.
The QC staff is on board with that idea.
So, any recommendations for laptops? Prefer something semi-weather proof and according to upper manager a "disposable price" as they know they won't last all that long in our environment.
I found this one on Amazon that looks decent enough.
Hi Miss Frankie,
Claims of "durability" on electronics can only go so far, it looks like this one is rated well for impact resistance and up to 330cc of spilt liquids. However, there is little mention of resistance to exposure to constant humidity... I would agree with your management that you could expect to replace this laptop relatively often. Make sure to also check whether the processing speed and RAM are up to snuff with whatever proprietary software your company may use; some of the QA software I've seen is not very efficient and hogs a lot of memory! I am however really impressed with the price on that laptop.
Here is a company that actually specializes in PC enclosures: https://www.pcenclosures.net/. They have experience in protecting computers from exposure to water/vapor. Their enclosures aren't very cheap, but it could mean that you could invest in a more powerful laptop because it would be better protected. Of course, a faster machine could boost your QA team's efficiency!
There are also enclosure cabinets like the one linked here, although these are more suited to protect against dust rather than vapor.
Hi Miss Frankie,
Claims of "durability" on electronics can only go so far, it looks like this one is rated well for impact resistance and up to 330cc of spilt liquids. However, there is little mention of resistance to exposure to constant humidity... I would agree with your management that you could expect to replace this laptop relatively often. Make sure to also check whether the processing speed and RAM are up to snuff with whatever proprietary software your company may use; some of the QA software I've seen is not very efficient and hogs a lot of memory! I am however really impressed with the price on that laptop.
Here is a company that actually specializes in PC enclosures: https://www.pcenclosures.net/. They have experience in protecting computers from exposure to water/vapor. Their enclosures aren't very cheap, but it could mean that you could invest in a more powerful laptop because it would be better protected. Of course, a faster machine could boost your QA team's efficiency!
There are also enclosure cabinets like the one linked here, although these are more suited to protect against dust rather than vapor.
Thanks! I will check these out.
Our QC paperwork doesn't entail a lot. Mostly "x" to verify something was checked, or writing the time/temp of product. No calculations or anything like that.
All our forms are on excel or word right now, then printed out for the QC to use, there are maybe 10 different forms per day.
By using a laptop, it would greatly improve the readability as some of their handwriting isn't great, and the space they have to write in is pretty small.
Thanks! I will check these out.
Our QC paperwork doesn't entail a lot. Mostly "x" to verify something was checked, or writing the time/temp of product. No calculations or anything like that.
All our forms are on excel or word right now, then printed out for the QC to use, there are maybe 10 different forms per day.By using a laptop, it would greatly improve the readability as some of their handwriting isn't great, and the space they have to write in is pretty small.
If that's the case, I think your chosen laptop would be a great place to start. Anything more than that to do some straightforward forms may be overkill!
Would a hardwired cabinet with a computer in it work? We've had good luck running SAP, etc. on compact workstations in a stainless cabinet that can't be any better than IP65, with the equipment nearby being wet washed at least once a day.
I echo G M's statement above regarding a cabinet of some kind. Not only will it protect your laptop a bit better from the environment, but it'll protect it from sanitation as well. The cabinet itself can be added to master sanitation schedules, and washed more frequently than the computer will hold up to.
Just look for cabinets without drawers or cubby holes, as we all know employees will decide to leave pens and rolls of tape and all sorts of other unapproved junk for an auditor to have a field day with...
Thanks! That's a good idea. I'll look into a cabinet.
Our SQF audit is next week, so it won't be until after that. Got a few other more pressing matters.