With our recently acquired laser system, Prototypes can be produced within days and with the added benefit of NO TOOLING. Exhibition deadlines - Proving designs - Sampling Under normal circumstances production tooling for keyboards can take up to 2-3 weeks after design and are a significant contributor to the NRE costs at the start. Using this facility it is possible to produce a fully functional prototype within days instead of weeks and at a very modest cost. All we need is your layout drawings in hard copy or electronic format (or we do it for you) and we do the rest. The prototype will be exactly the same in appearance as a production sample and modifications are fast and simple to do even after the first prototype, so now you and your customers can be completely sure of exactly what is wanted with the minimum amount of cost before any costly commitment has been made. Production can then take place with the added comfort of knowing that a design has been trialed and approved, this can be from our production plant here in Wimborne Dorset, or for higher volumes and lower prices our Asian facility can be used.
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Using a computer controlled plotter bed and laser system, permanent graphic and text detail can now be produced onto most metal and plastic surfaces.
LASER ETCHING. Mostly used for marking onto metal substrates, the laser will permanently etch any text or graphic detail into the surface leaving an excellent quality image that is impossible to remove without removing the metal surface itself. It will withstand most chemicals and abrasions and is a perfect alternative to conventional engraving and surface printing.
This picture illustrates a rugged keyboard, designed by our engineering team for use within a coal mine. The equipment controls the roof supports at the coal seam and is therefore subject to extremely hostile conditions. The image seen depicts the actual roof support and by using the laser system, previous problems with surface printing wearing off was solved and the laser etching in this case has been proven to withstand most chemicals, high pressure wash down, coal dust / grit, and local blasting. |
NEW...Asia Partnership agreements compliment
custom designed keyboards, touch panels and HMI products.
Having recently monitored a 2 year trial period, Rowland Automation Ltd have now signed preferential partnership agreements (PPA) with three major manufacturers in Focussing on custom design and manufacture, the main purpose of the PPAs are improve communication and provide a clear understanding for both parties to exactly what the critical issues are and what is expected of all concerned, in order to receive a fully compliant product. Many a sad tale can be told about sub-contracting out a product to Asia, even with a clearly defined specification giving seemingly precise detail to ensure what will be supplied is fully compliant…. and what happens next? We all at first try to think how this could have been avoided. In most cases the answer to this is quite simple, there must always be a clear understanding between the design authority and the manufacturer. (Often difficult enough within the With 28 years experience of design and manufacture Rowland Automation Ltd have always advocated that a keyboard, touch panel, or any other HMI interface is the main focal and command point of any system, regardless of its value….get this bit wrong and the end product will be a disaster. The importance of the user interface must therefore never be underestimated and must account for many difficult and challenging design issues that are often overlooked and not included within the procurement specification. With a full understanding of how to resolve and overcome these challenges Rowland Automation Ltd have successfully embodied clear objectives within the PPA to ensure that the delivered product complies with the agreed specification. Managing Director Having evolved over the last 2 years the PPAs are unique to Rowland Automation Ltd and include clearly defined quality acceptability standards, technical design issues, (many unique to Rowland and sharing of intellectual property rights), response support for both pre and after sales, and also a defined and proven line of communication, both verbal written and electronic enhanced by the use of digital photography. Keeping all of the design control within the
NEW...Interflex Flat Flexible Cable
Interflex FFC is the future for many interconnection uses, already used extensively in the automotive industry to replace costly cable looms and also for providing a secure fixed power source to the steering wheel airbag adopting the "clock spring coil" design Other current uses include, printer heads, moving x/y tables or flexi tails for keyboards etc. Interflex can be supplied on 100/250mtr reels or or cut to a specific length and terminated using crimped male or female connectors. The conductor pitch is SIL 2.54mm or 1.27mm from 2way to 34way, each strip can be laminated above each other making a thin multi layer cable assembly. Special forming can be produced by slitting off any number of ways and re-routing. |
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To compliment our existing display windows and keyboard products, Rowland Automation has developed a range of flexible and rigid heater panels and are already in use in many different applications. At lower temperatures, most displays will have a reduced performance (or fail to work at all) and in many circumstances condensation will occur causing serious visual difficulties. The use of these heaters will enhance the display operation and help prevent condensation. Supply voltages can be mains AC or low voltage DC. The materials used for transparent applications are usually ITO coated glass or thin film ITO coated polyester. These are positioned directly above the display and have a negligible effect on the window clarity. Where optical performance is not required materials such as silicone rubber or Kapton are used. |
| A COMPANY HISTORY | Rowland Automation |
| THE ANSWER AT YOUR FINGERTIPS | Construction, Total Product Concept & Accessories |
| PERFORMANCE BY DESIGN | CAD Technology |
| BENEFIT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE | Quality Systems |
| DIVERSE APPLICATIONS | Typical Applications |
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ARCHIVE NEWS |
List of Features Available |
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