Human-Machine Interface (HMI) systems installed outdoors face continuous exposure to environmental factors. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the most damaging as it gradually degrades plastics, coatings, seals, and can cause cracking and loss of strength, all of which can lead to equipment failure.
It is therefore critical to design decisions that outdoor HMIs are constructed using the appropriate UV-stabilised materials. Design engineers should be conscious of where their product will be used and ensure they are choosing the most reliable materials.
Some of the most common materials used for UV resistance are:
- Stainless steel – This is a common solution in HMI designs to reduce the effect of UV radiation. To ensure maximum durability in these environments, stainless steel enclosures may be used. These enclosures will offer complete UV immunity for the HMIs, providing excellent corrosion protection whilst ensuring high mechanical strength.
- UV-additives – One way to ensure resistance is by placing UV additives into materials to increase their protection. This means that during design decision you can choose the most appropriate materials based on strength and flexibility and be confident that they are UV resistant too.
In addition, certain design features can help with the prevention of UV damage.
- UV-Protective Coatings – As prolonged exposure to UV can cause the yellowing of systems, transparent coating are often applied to touchscreens, display windows, and polycarbonate covers as a way to reduce the yellowing and in turn, improve display reliability and extend product life cycles.
- Light Coloured Enclosures – Grey or white enclosures are frequently used as they reflect solar radiation and reduce heat buildup, particularly compared with darker coloured enclosures. This equally helps improve reliability and life cycles.
At Diamond HMI we know how important preserving the longevity of a system is, and we work hard to ensure that your HMIs will last in extreme conditions, we consider the environment in the initial design process and ensure you get a system that not only works for you now but will last in the future. Get in touch today, and we can help you make the right decisions for your HMIs.