Panasonic
Panasonic MIL-STD-810F Compliant
Each Panasonic Toughbook is designed and manufactured to meet a
level of durability matched to an intended work environment. The
range of Toughbooks cover the ruggedized Toughbook 18, Toughbook 27,
Toughbook 29, Toughbook 34, Toughbook 01, Toughbook 07 and MDWD
(Mobile Data Wireless Display), and include models with selected
durability features like the remaining semi-rugged models.
At the very least, each Toughbook features a magnesium alloy LCD
case, 20 times stronger than ABS plastic, to protect this critical
and expensive-to-replace component. Other models include full
magnesium cases to protect all system components. Hard disk drives
are equipped with various degrees of shock insulation to protect
mission-critical data from the dangers of shocks, bumps and drops.
Some Toughbooks also offer spill-resistant keyboards to provide
protection from the spills and splashes that are a frequent part of
mobile computing environments.
The key to choosing the right Toughbook is to consider your work
environment and your performance and feature needs - your Panasonic
representative or reseller will help you understand which Toughbook
is the right choice for your particular business requirements.
Reliability
Our most rugged Toughbooks have been designed using MIL-STD-810F
test procedures to measure levels of environmental reliability.
Created by the U.S. government, the MIL-STD-810F specifications
cover a broad range of tests that measure the durability of
equipment used under harsh conditions. From the MIL-STD-810F test
menu, Panasonic selected those that most closely reflect the
challenges that mobile professionals face in the field, on the road,
and in the office. These tests include drop-, shock-, moisture-,
dust- and vibration-resistance, exposure to extremely low and high
temperatures, and many others.
Passed the Test
And even though Panasonic conducts these environmental tests in our
own factories with our own equipment, we didn't stop there. After we
finished our in-house tests on the ruggedized Toughbook 18 ,
Toughbook 27 and Toughbook 29, we gave it to one of the leading
independent environmental test agencies in the United States to
repeat all of the tests again. In the end, the results confirmed our
own: the Toughbook 18 , Toughbook 27, Toughbook 28 and Toughbook 29
passed all challenges without failure.
Testing Procedures
And while not every Toughbook is designed to be as ultra-rugged as
the Toughbook 18, Toughbook 27, Toughbook 28, Toughbook 29 or
Toughbook 34, tests like the MIL-STD-810F help us to understand how
to design all of our Toughbooks with the best focus on durability
features for the type of user and work conditions. The information
below describes the tests we use to measure Toughbook durability.
MIL-STD-810F Test Procedures
The following MIL-STD-810F test procedures were performed on the
Toughbook 28:
Drop Test
The Drop test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F,
Method 516.5, Procedure IV (Transit Drop Test). The Toughbook 28 was
sequentially dropped in non-operating mode, onto each face, edge and
corner for a total of 26 drops from a height of 36 inches. The drop
surface was defined as two-inch-thick plywood over a steel plate
over concrete. The Toughbook 28s were visually inspected after each
drop and a functional check (boot-up into Windows) was performed
after each drop.
Results
The Toughbooks boot Windows following each drop.
Vibration
The Vibration shall be performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F,
Method 514, Procedure I, Category 24 (Minimum Integrity Test) for
the non-operational condition and Category 20 (Ground Vehicles) for
the operational condition. The unit should be clamped to an aluminum
plate (approximating rigid mounting), and subjects to the following
levels of vibration:
Non-Operational (from Figure 514.5C-17 of MIL-STD-810F) 0.04 g2
/Hz at 20-1000 Hz, -6 dB/Octave at 1000-2000 Hz, 1 hour/axis
duration.
Operational (Figure 514.5C-1 of MIL-STD-810F) 0.001 g2 /Hz at
12.5 Hz, 0.034 g2 /Hz at 20~40 Hz 5.70E-06 g2 /Hz at 200 Hz, 1
hour/axis duration simulating 1000 miles of transportation.
The hard disk drive was spinning during the operational test. A
functional test was performed between each axis of testing, to catch
any potential failures. The operational test was conducted using the
vertical axis power spectral density (worst case condition for
amplitude), as the orientation of the test item during
transportation is not known.
Results
All units passed the vibration test without incident.
Water Resistance
The Water Resistance test was performed in accordance with
MIL-STD-810F, Method 506.4, Procedure III (Drip). The test items
were subjected to this test with the LCD open and the unit
operating, but with ports closed. The Toughbooks were opened
following testing to inspect for water intrusion.
Results
The Toughbooks continued to operate during and following the
15-minute water drip test. There was no evidence of water intrusion.
Humidity
The Humidity test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F,
Method 507.4 (Aggravated). The test items were tested for operation
near the conclusion of the fifth and tenth cycles. Each cycle was
one day (24 hours) and the entire test was performed over ten
days.The temperature was cycled between 86 and 140F with the
relative humidity at 95% constant.
Results
The Toughbooks continued to boot up and operate following each test,
and there were no visual anomalies.
Dust Resistance
The Dust Resistance test was performed in accordance with
MIL-STD-810F, Method 510.4, Procedure I (Dust). An operating
temperature of 140F was used for this test. The upper non-operating
temperature of 140F was incorporated into the test as this is the
"default" temperature given by the MIL-STD-810F guidelines. Silica
flour as defined by the test standard was used. Failure was
considered to have occurred if moving parts bind or are blocked, or
if contacts or relays malfunctioned. The units must have continued
to function also.
Results
The Toughbooks continued to operate following dust testing. The
keyboards were usable.
High Temperature
High Temperature tests were conducted in accordance with
MIL-STD-810F, Method 501.4, Procedures I (Storage) and Procedure II
(Operation).
Panasonic set the testing parameters as follows: 140F Operational,
160F Non-Operational
Results
The Toughbooks continued to operate during the operational test and
to boot and operate following the non-operational test. There were
no visual anomalies.
Low Temperature
The Low Temperature test was performed according to MIL-STD-810F,
Method 502.4, Procedures I (Storage) and II (Operation). Panasonic
set the low operating temperature at -20F and non-operating
temperature at -60F.
Results
The Toughbooks continued to boot and operate following each test,
and there were no visual anomalies.
Thermal Shock
The Thermal Shock test was performed in accordance with
MIL-STD-810F, Method 503.4. Panasonic set the high temperature
non-operating temperature at 205F and the low temperature
non-operating temperature at -60F. Three cycles were performed
(high to low = one cycle).
Results
The Toughbooks continued to operate during the operational test and
to boot and operate following the non-operational test. There were
no visual anomalies.
The Toughbooks continued to boot up and operate following the
test exposure cycles of thermal shock from 205F to -60F.
Altitude
The Altitude test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F,
Method 500.4, Procedure I (Storage) and II (Operation). The altitude
level used for both procedures was 15,000 feet (highest equivalent
altitude given within MIL-STD-810F for cargo pressures of military
aircraft)
Results
All Toughbooks passed the test without incident.
Full details of each test are contained in a test report that was
produced by an independent, internationally recognized test
laboratory.
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Panasonic Toughbook Mobile Computers