Category Archives: Engineering Blog

Different Ways in Installing 19-inch Server Rack

Server Rack, 19 inch Server Rack, Electronics Enclosure,
  1. The 3U rackmount system

There are heavy equipment or tools being utilized and are commonly accessed for servicing, this means that when it comes to attaching or detaching the four courners continuously, this would mean or pose a serious problem. Most often than not, this is being utilized for mounting directly unto the rack but instead it is being installed through the rails (or slides.)

To fully illustrate this, there are a pair of rails being mounted or installed to support the server rack. When it is finally in place, the equipment should be in a position where it has been slid clear of the rack. Afterwhich, this has become very useful for some of the inspection or maintenance of the equipment which will then be slid back unto the rack. There are rack slides included that has a tilting mechanism which allows a very easy access on the top or the bottom of the rack-mounted equipment once it is being fully extended from the rack.

The slides or the rails being used for the computers and other several data processing equipment such as the disk arrays or even routers are often needed to be purchased directly from the manufacturer of the equipment. This is only because there are no given standardization for the equipment given for the equipment’s thickness (this is the measurement form the side of the server rack to the equipment) or it means for the mounting to the rail.

With this in mind, the rails of the kit should include a proper cable management arm (or CMA), which then in return folds the cables being attached to the server and it allows them to expand neatly and very lit when the server is being slid out without having the server rack to be disconnected.

  • Computer mounting

There are computer servers designed for the rack-mounting and it can include a variety of extra features to make the server rack very easy to use in the rack.

The sliding rails can be locked in several and different extended positions to prevent the equipment form totally removing when it is being extended out from the rack for service.

The server itself might have the locking pins on the sides that just drop inside the slots on the extended rail assembly, which then in a manner very similar to the removable kitchen drawers. This then allows the easy server installation and removal since there will be no need for the server to be held midway while someone fastens the rail unto the sides with the server screws.

There are manufacturers of the rack-mount hardware that includes the folding cable tray just behind the server. So that the cables are being held and it is neatly placed in a tidy folded channel when it is being placed inside the rack. Also, it can unfold out into a very long strip when it is being pulled out of the rack, this then allows the server to effectively continue to be plugged in and it is operating normally even while it is fully extended. Also, when it is hanging in mid-air just in front the server rack. The piece of equipment simplifies the whole process of maintenance but at the cost of giving restriction to the overall airflow.

The rack-optimized servers might have duplication in the indicator lights just on the front and the rear of the server rack to contribute and identify itself in the machine that needed the attention, or give separate “identify” LED indicators on both of the sides of the server (which in turn can be used for the software or just by pushing the associated button).

In addition to this, there are some configurations that allows for over fifty 1U servers just within the single rack, this then gives a simple and simplistic method to carefully determine where exactly the machine will be having a problem when it comes to the rear of the rack.

The handle may be able to provide the rear of the server rails, for them to be able to pull or push the server without the need to pull on the cables.

Environmental Engineering as a Hot Career in Today’s Engineering Field

When you are still an undergraduate, there are a lot of careers one can choose from. You can decide if you want to have a career in arts or science, but when it comes to maintaining the earth’s health, there is nothing better than taking a career in environmental engineering. To dive in more deeply, it is a subset of engineering field that is primarily concerned with the protection of the earth – together with its citizens because of the very harmful effect of pollution.

The environmental engieners design projects that helps in the improvements of the environment together with the public health sector.

Just to name a very few, there are environmental engineers that works very closely with the government as well as private organizations to implement laws, do projects that protects our land, water, and air natural resources. There are major projects that includes several water treatment systems, air pollution systems, restoration of the ecosystem, and the brownfield cleanup.

For others to be able to survive and expand, the humanity has always on the look out for effective ways how to maintain the proper sanitation and be able to improve several living conditions. The demand to constantly acquire fresh water sources for human consumption, keep the source of fresh water going and flowing, maintaining its quality to be good enough to drink, to be able to build cesspits for the proper waste management and to stop the pollution to preven the extinction of fresh water resource has been a vital part of our well-being as humans.

The civil evolution as human beings largely depends on the level of sanitation of our water resources. Without the proper sanitation, the mortality rates with quickly rise and the quality of life will drop.

As humans, we need the necessary services and the needed skills from the environemtnal engineers to help us achieve a cleaner and healthier earth ecosystem.

With this in mind, the growling boyz project is currently on the run for its development and there has not been so much we can really say about it. This project can be gruesome, controversial, and very graphic. However, the real question in anyone’s mind is that is everybody who wants to pursue the environmental engineering career should be able to be fully aware of its existence? Most often than not, this fact is not true. As this project is originally categorized as enternatinment genre.

This project has a material that is only suitable for adults audience. This project effectively touches the history of different mythological creatures such as satyrs, furry guys, and including the whole cult behind it. Because of this kind of material, this will only make great for a social experiment. Not so much for the environmental things. When it comes to the environment, we need to be really serious about the things that we do, therefore we should project a more realistic picture of what is happening to earth.

The main reasons why you should pursue Environmental Engineering as a career

Now that we have discussed how environmental engineers can greatly contribute to earth’s health and its importance to sustain it, there are people who needs to know the reasons why they should pursue a career in environmental engineering. Below are some of the most important reasons that can convince you to take on the career path as an environmental engineer.

  1. Taking Care of the Environment Should be Your Passion

Have you heard the phrase saying that when you follow your passion, the earnings will follow? In environmental engineering, you have to be genuinely interested and keen in this area of study. Just by studying or reading anything about environmental engineering is not enough. The question you should answer is this: do you see yourself as an individual that helps the mother earth to sustain its health from the crippling and dangerous effects of disasters and pollution. If your answer to that question is YES, then you should definitely choose this as your career choice.

  • There are lots of universities that offers students different accreditations for this career

The environmental engineering career is just as popular as civil or mechanical engineering. Therefore, there are several universities around the world that offers different degrees and specializations when it comes to environmental engineering. It can go up to PHD level. As long as human race thinks that earth should be proteted, different colleges and universities will still continue to keep up with the development of several students to help students pursue their passion in helping mother earth.

With this in mind, the most popular countries that offer environmental engineering are Germany, United States, Canada, and UK.

  • Environmental Engineering is a very broad career and course

If you are finally decided that you want to pursue a career in environmental engineering, you will quickly find out that is a field that is very wide and diverse, therefore there are still improvements that can be done. Some of its cool specialization are:

  • Environmental impact assessment and mitigation
  • Water supply treatment
  • Liquid and solid waste management
  • Air pollution treatment and management
  • There are a lot of job opportunities as an environmental engineer

In order to have development in solutions to several environmental problems the engineers definitely use the principles being used for engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry. Therefore, addressing several global issues of polluted water and not being able to produce safe drinking water. The job as an environmental engineer are several.

  • The pay becomes exciting as you go forward with your career

Let us face this daunting truth, do not expect to land so much for a salary once you graduate. This is not to say that this is entirely impossible, but most of the companies who will hire you are only willing to pay the amount that is appropriate with your workd experience. While you work your way up to increasing your salary grade, just slowly work your way up to the ladder and constantly improve and update yourself.

These are the median wages for environmental engineers who work in some of the top sectors of the government.

Federal Government Employed = $105,500

Local Government = $84,000, (except hospitals and education sectors)

Technical consulting services, scientific research institutes = $78, 600

Finally, state governments = $74, 500, excluding hospitals and education sectors.

Is this career the right decision?

If one of these reasons, stated in this article will help you decide to pursue a career path in environmental engineering, then you can definitely pursue an environmental engineering job. This can be perfect for you. The job prospects for this is very high and it has an industrial job growth of 8% annually.

Most of the environmental engineers are satisfied with the career and opportunities that has come their way. Their talent in redesigning some of the earth’s systems and structure will help us to have a better earth.

What are the Distinct Differences of Flush-head Fasteners and Concealed Head Fasteners?

For some of the custom electronics enclosure parts, the self-clinching fasteners can be a design engineer’s true best friend. These accessories can solve a lot of problems and challenges that comes with mounting and installing some of the components. Because of their very compact design and having low profile, they are also a winner for the appearances too.

These self-clinching fasteners are composed of several threaded nuts, studs, or standoffs that are being mechanically pressed and installed in any metal. This becomes a permanent part of the electrical box, panel, or even bracket. These accessories are most often called by the name PEM® which is the most known brand trademark by PennEngineering & Manufacturing Corp.

There are different types of these accessories:

Nuts: Installs bolts and screws to properly secure them components right in place.

Stand-offs: Mostly used to install circuit boards and they are not shorting when they come in contact with a sheet metal that has an ever flowing electrical current.

Studs: Most commonly used to mount connectors or other components by giving a threaded screw inside the enclosure box.

One of the most primary strengths of these accessories is how they are securely mounted inside some part of the enclosure. As the matter of fact, for several self-clinching nuts the screw will eventually fail before the nut will be able to rotate the material. These self-clinching fasteners can be incredibly very secure because they can become a very permanent piece of the electronics enclosure once they are installed.

The self-clinching studs or even standoff can either be two of these things: flush head or concealed head. Basically, these two types achieves the same use and function. However, some of which has very defining characteristics that makes some of the fastener types very different from each other.

Let us give you an overview of the difference of these two.

Flush-Head Fasteners

The flush-head fasteners, these are mechanically pressed through the hole inside the sheet metal done from the outside. Mostly, they sit within the outside edge.  However, there is just a slight indentation going around the exterior of the metal where the flush-head fasteners are being pressed and it makes them detectable.

The slight indentation can be minimized just by having the metal being grinded down to make the fastener sits in with more flush compared to the other host material. In which, this made the flush-head very less noticeable even when a textured powder coat is being applied. When using both of these methods, these fasteners are barely noticeable. However, they are still obvious by touch.

Concealed-Head Fasteners

Instead of having a fastener being installed and pushed through inside the metal sheet such as the previous one, this type are being inserted into a machined blind pocket so that there will be no contact on the outside edge. The pockets can later be created with one of these options: a CNC mill or router.

This type of fastener are commonly used for some of the aesthetic reasons. In addition to this, they are ideal in satisfying the needs for being airtightness and watertightness. This primarily because the hole being inserted only goes partially inside the metal.

Electrical Enclosures as a Protection for Equipment Used in Hazardous Environment

Electrical Enclosure, Electronics Enclosure, Electrical Boxes,

It is a crucial decision to choose the right and appropriate enclosure to protect electrical equipment when used for outdoor applications. Also the main factor that will influence their decision in choosing the right enclosure is the location where the equipment will be placed. With this in mind, a company needs an enclosure that can withstand hars environments and it should have protection from corrosion, high-temperature, and direct sunlight or UV rays. This is crucial if a company like to keep their equipment functional, last long and in great shape.

Among the harsh elements present in outdoor environments, the worst factor that can damage any equipment is the UV rays or the direct sunlight form the sun. Aside from the fact that direct sunlight can cause melting or warping of the enclosure, it is also important to note that this can also cause most electronic applications to condensate. Even if the enclosure can protect the equipment from water ingress, the sudden change in the temperature especially when there is high moisture in the air, condensation is possible to occur inside the unit. Any engineers know that one of the worst enemy of any electrical equipment is moisture. With this in mind, any efforts to prevent this from happening is crucial.

It is important to note that not only UV rays or high temperature are the only risk factor present in outdoor applications. But high heat can cause a decay in certain materials which can greatly jeopardize the equipment inside the enclosure. Later on, the warping of materials can lead to creating leaks. This will create damages on the enclosure that will also result to the damaging of certain equipment. This is the very reason why it is important to choose the right material for our electronic enclosures especially if they will be exposed to these elements for a very long period of time.

The solution: polycarbonate enclosures

With this application, one of the best material to choose for an enclosure is the polycarbonate material. It has features that can protect the internal components of your equipment when housed inside an enclosure. It has an amorphous thermoplastic and naturally, it can withstand UV rays. So it is a very good choice for an enclosure for outdoor use. Not only that this material is used for enclosures, it is also used in other applications. It is also good for replacing traditional roofing. Because of its lightweight, weather-tough, and UV blocking feature – polycarbonate material is very versatile. Aside from this, it is virtually unbreakable.

A company can also use venting accessories to prevent condensation on their enclosures. As previously said in this article, condensation is caused by the presence of heat and humidity that can form moisture. Which in case can impose great damage on the electric component. It can also from mold that will contribute to its detoriation overtime. An engineer can also choose to improve the airflow inside the enclosure via vents, especially within electronic housings. This is also a great way to keep the enclosures watertight while making sure that the enclosure allows airflow so that moisture doesn’t accumulate.

What Are the Things You Should Consider When Selecting an Electrical Enclosure?

Electrical Enclosure, Electronics Enclosure, Electrical Boxes,

NEMA enclosures has different assortment and variations of electrical components – such as simple terminal blocks to having a full industrial automation system. It even has high voltage switchgear. In most of the industrial automation companies now, they use NEMA enclosure that has existing house motor controls, drives, and termination systems. There are NEMA electrical box design that are shaped to have operator controls.

With this in mind, you need to carefully determine how to carefully select your NEMA enclosure. Listed below are the things you need to remember:

Define Your Security Requirements

Your electronics enclosure might need to protect the contents it houses in from any unwanted and unauthorized access to the equipment it is placed inside. There are companies that offers customer different options to accommodate their company security needs. For some of the low-risk installation so the enclosure – like a screw cover, lift-off cover, or single-door that has clamps with it should get the job done. In some places where there is a high risk in installing the electrical boxes, the customer should get an enclosure that has keylocking/padlocking to make sure that the equipment is safely locked inside.

With this in mind, the customer should carefully determine the width and height of the enclosure by properly laying out the footprint space needed for several control components that has a standard subpanel size. Always remember to carefully consider differeing mounting holes needed for the subpanel when you are planning to set out the required footprint space. This sizing will carefully determine if the customer needs a single-door, two-door, wall-mount, floor-mount or even a freestanding enclosure.

Carefully Set Out Your Thermal Management Needs

In addition to the need for proper security of the enclosure, the customer should also consider the different thermal management needs. Because the electrical box should be able to condense the heat being generated by the equipment placed inside the enclosure – either by solo or by adding an extra cooling device. The heat being generated inside the enclosure should be able to effectively decrease the life expectancy of the controlling units and other items that comes with the enclosure.

To properly anticipate this, the heat has the capability to change the performance of the circuit breakers and the fuses – which can cause a shutdown to the whole system. Therefore, if one has an electronic equipment suitable for the heat sensitive devices, a cooling system should be set up.

How to Choose the Right Plastic Enclosure Applicable for Engineer Project that Requires Outdoor Use?

Electrical Enclosure, Electronics Enclosure, Electrical Boxes, Plastic Enclosure,

One of the main challenges companies face in terms of utilizing an electronics enclosure for their outdoor application is making sure that it can effectively withstand the environment it will be in. There are lot of factors that project engineers should consider such as level of moist, temperature, possible object or water ingress, and so on.

This is very important because companies and their engineers should make sure that their electronics enclosure is effectively designed for their outdoor application. To make this happen, they should be familiar with different NEMA ratings. This is set by the the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

This rating will become very handy and extremely beneficial for businesses, empowering them to make the most effective and effective decision in choosing te right enclosure for their application.

Being knowledgeable about different NEMA rating of the electronics enclosure is the fastest way to determine whether the electronics enclosure can withstand a particular harmful or harsh environmental element. The electronics enclosure that comes with NEMA rating of 3 would mean that the enclosure is ideal for outdoor use given that it will be exposed to a very fair climate.

Once the NEMA rating increases, it would only mean that it is more durable to withstand certain harsh environmental elements. It can give more protection to your equipment. The most common rating that different companies’ produces are the NEMA 4X or NEMA 6 rated electronics enclosure. It gives wonderful and excellent ingress and temperature protection – whether the ingress can come from hose driven water or even ice formation.

While ensuring that the enclosure you use has a NEMA rating sufficient for its application, it may be necessary to modify the enclosure to connect external features such as a cable or antenna.  Every cutout that is added to the enclosure provides an opportunity for water or other contaminants to seep in. Using accessories, such as cable glands, can help protect the NEMA ratings on the enclosure.

While making sure that the electronics enclosure businesses use has the right and proper NEMA rating just enough for its application, it can be very necessary and important to effectively modify the electronics enclosure in connection to some of the external features or enclosure accessories – it can be a cable or even antenna.

Every cutout of the enclosure that is being added to the body of the enclosure gives an opportunity for the water inside the enclosure or other contaminants to carefully seep through. In the utilization of some enclosure accessories – it can give protection to different NEMA ratings in the electronics enclosure.

How to Effectively Compare NEMA with IP Ratings for Electronic Enclosures?

Electronics Enclosure, Electrical Boxes, Engineering Blog, NEMA Ratings, IP Ratings,

I assume that when you read this article, you have a basic understanding of different NEMA together with the equivalent IP ratings on an individual basis. Let us now compare the basic classifications of these two ratings.

To give back you up a little bit, let us define the IP ratings. This rating is primarily based on a testing that has not have a specific degree of protection that it gives and also requires against the mechanical damage that can be done to the equipment. There is also some risk of explosions and conditions that can be detrimental to the equipment and can cause corrosive vapors.

With this in mind, the NEMA has standardized test for some of the specific environmental conditions such corrosion, icing, oil, rust, and some of the coolants.

Some of the tests and evaluations should not be identical between the two ratings, thus IP rating cannot be directly equated with NEMA ratings. However, some experts have come up with a very simple guide in translating the NEMA types to some of the IP ratings. Since some of the ratings can either meet or exceed the needed test requirements that can be directly converted or associated with an IP rating.

Please refer to the table below for your guidance:

NEMA Rating IP Rating
1 IP10
2 IP11
4 and 4X IP56
12 IP52
13 IP54

To help you understand this table, for example the NEMA 4X electronics enclosure has a minimum IP rating of IP65. However, the IP65 rating of an electronic enclosure does not can be directl converted into a NEMA 4X rated enclosure.

If you have any question regarding the rating of electronic enclosures from NEMA to IP or vice-versa, you can directly contact the enclosure manufacturer of your choice. There are companies that does not produce or manufacture all of the NEMA type enclosure and they choose to focus on some types of enclosure.

Also with some customization, it is better if the customer will directly ask them the question regarding the NEMA or IP rating of your desired electronics enclosure.

Improved Graphics Team to Deliver the Best Product Possible

Electrical Enclosure, Electronics Enclosure, Electrical Boxes, Graphics Department,

Now that we have finally entered the summer season and just coming out from the tremendous winter, anyone (including me) would like to spice up their wardrobe. With summer time coming by, it is now the right time to put away all the bulky, drab, winter sweaters including the overly huge and overstuffed coat. Now is the right time to pull out all the floral dresses and bikinis! I guess pink and yellow comes together with green and oranges and we can add a little bit of white to pop up the style. The natural color of summer should invade our wardrobes for that added style!

With this in mind, not only our wardrobe should have the drastic color change – electronics enclosure should have it too. Colors can give the best style and class to any given standard enclosure. Companies in the industry offers customization services to their customer if they want their electronics enclosure look exclusive to their company.

They have permanent graphics printing options that can have direct printing on any electronics enclosure surfaces. In order for this to be a continuous effort to satisfy their customers, there should be improvement and enhancement in their graphics department.

The first step in improving their graphics department includes a double-hit process. This is much like applying a second coating of painting on the walls. There are companies that offers printing services but they only do one coating or printing and the colors may not last long. There should be a second coating of printing on the enclosure.

This process will result to a long lasting, brighter printed color on the product. With this in mind, there are also electronics enclosure that is black in its original color – then the companies should use lackluster because the dark background contrasted with this type of ink will appear brighter.

By doing this process or fortifying the text or graphics with the second layer of ink, the end result will be accentuated color of the print. And to be honest with you, bright colors can pop out against the darkness. Even with white or gray enclosure together with the double hit process, the print of the colors will eventually stand out.

Because of this companies can have printed graphics that can be easily read by the using personnel or just by the people seeing it. Clear printed graphics is very helpful when it comes to effective application of the enclosure. This can also make the life of the using personnel easier because they can use the product very effectively and efficiently.

All about Project Boxes: When do you exactly needed them?

engineering blog, electrical enclosures, engineering materials, project boxes,

For the last few months, I have been thinking if it was just right that I have decided to walk my dog every day even amidst of the blizzard. Together with the icy conditions during the last winter season, I have come to realize that it was really my dog’s personality that was trying to pull me. Also, I have realized that this scenario was more like of an ice skating for me. This has sparked the topic on several semantics on how come a certain term can call an image of different types.

Design engineers have started to look at the different project boxes and they are determined that while a plain sturdy box can be really dependable as a stand-by, all of the hard work that was designed using this great new product should not get lost on its tracks. The project boxes are not boring to begin with and it is the project box everyone has started to buy.

There are companies that offers a large selection of those standard plastic enclosures and they come in a wide variety of different sizes. However, what sets some companies apart from one another is not just the popular project box. But it is the unique blend of different styles of stylish enclosures. These are the products that will allow the customers to have a great design on their one new great product and this can be the off-the-shelf enclosure that has that great appearance of a custom-molded creation.

This comes without the expense and time consuming process that it would take to effectively create a very good custom mold.

There are companies that offers no minimum in doing the purchasing. If the user wants to buy 1 or 2 pieces of the project box designs, you can ask the company if they offer this type of service. The user can also order directly from the website at any time of the day, without worrying about having to think about the store hours of the physical store. There will be always someone available to take the order via phone.

Once the customer has carefully selected the enclosure that can best fit their engineer project, the companies can ramp up the value of the production by giving the order into larger quantities. This will be needed for the production of the enclosure. It can also do further customization for the enclosure to fit any engineering projects.

Together with the CNC machined holes, slots, and vents – printing directly on the enclosure for customization with a very good permanent ink can post no problems. Actually, it might cost less than what the customer would think.

Companies are not only limited to the common, boring “project boxes” that almost everyone is already buying. There are tons of product possibilities you can think of. The size, shape, or the placement of the holes for the customization. There are wide variety of options that can be available to you. You are not limited by your imagination.

The Purpose of Companies in Serving the Communities

Serving the community, communtyship,

Several years ago, I have bought an insurance policy because of a friend offering her services to me. She served as a financial adviser for a small insurance company. Just recently, the company has already started sending emails about their business’ community events such as fund raising activities, stuffing backpacks with school supplies and food drives. They have been known for lending a hand to the less fortunate in the community. It is very nice to know that I am already doing business with a company who are geared towards helping the community as a whole.

That is one of the things that I like about community centered companies. Not all businesses are geared towards giving back to the community. Well I guess, businesses should be more than earning money, right?

We have made several adjustments to our company workflow and several processes to be able for us to accommodate the several physical limitations of our several employees. There is one company that has employed a very young man for over 12 years already. This person heavily relies on a wheelchair for their mobility. The man helps the company but the company in return, also helps the young man to be able to enjoy all the benefits of being employed. It also helps the community around to build a very strong community.

Down the street from the location of our company, we have established a community center that gives lifelong services to the citizens of the community that has developmental disabilities. Ranging from all age groups (from children to adults), our program gives tutoring and special needs training, employment assistance and including the group activities such as sports and special Olympics. We are very proud to be a valuable part of this service, just by employing members of this program to different departments for our company.

Often large corporations are just out to turn a profit and are not concerned about how they’re damaging their community. Not here. We are striving to keep our community growing, just like our product lines. More often than not, the large corporations are just not for profit but they are also concerned about how their processes can potentially harm the community. There are companies that are philanthropic in nature. There are companies that strive to keep the community just growing like their product lines.