• Zarobi@aussie.zone
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    2 days ago

    Fair. I’ve just worked with field worker Toughbooks and hardened iPads in the past, and I didn’t really want to touch them lol. Sounds like they’re treated better in a factory

    • hydrashok@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      Yeah, factories have set schedules for cleaning and maintenance, and the HMIs just fall right in with everything else. The big thing is that all the modern stuff is computer controlled and usually remotely managed.

      So, a worker would either enter an order on a computer and “print” to a line from there, or a central control room manages those jobs, or sometimes there might be a few different barcodes and a scan gun to select an entry from things posted on the wall or a book. Either way, the complexity doesn’t exist at the actual machine.

      The worker then goes to the machine’s HMI, validates everything is ready and the order loaded, and hits start. Once done, the machine finishes and a report is logged.

      Literally wash and rinse, if needed, and repeat!

      Factories that are concerned with cleanliness and contamination concerns don’t allow compute devices to traverse onto the production floor and back, in my experience. You don’t see any traditional desktops or laptops there, nor mobile devices — even personal ones — or even ToughBooks as they’re not allowed. It just comes down to sanitation concerns and risk to the plant and product(s) being produced.