Rugged mounting solutions developed for military use

One of RackSolutions’ focus areas that people may not know about is creating mounting solutions to securely attach certain equipment, such as communication devices and sensors, to military vehicles, aircrafts and ships. The company is always prepared to customise its products to become ruggedised for the military — so when the military needed mounts for all of their shelf kits and KEV mounts, RackSolutions engineers specifically developed two rugged mounts that would fit military standards regarding stability and functionality.

When designing rugged mounts, RackSolutions engineers take into account key considerations such as material and construction, shock and vibration resistance, secure attachments, compatibility, ease of use, modularity and adaptability, maintenance and repair for the product and its components, and weight. Creating mounts that meet these criteria involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes mechanical engineering, materials science and thorough field testing. Once the design is finished, the prototype is sent out for testing. If that prototype requires adjustments, the company will immediately revise it until it is considered the perfect fit.

The first custom mount that the engineers designed for the military was a ruggedised shelf that could mount a PC. The company took inspiration from its shelf designs, such as the 1U 115 Sliding Equipment, and made alterations to create a shelf and mounting kit that is ruggedised to prevent the shelf from shaking.

The military provided the rails, so RackSolutions incorporated these into its shelf kit by installing the brace kit at the back of the shelf. The bracing kit consists of brackets that are installed in the back of the client’s Cannes 2.0 server rack. By integrating a bracing kit to the shelf, the front, side and rear brackets were installed to secure the PC into place. This allowed the mount to absorb vibrations and shocks for harsh military conditions when on a ship or an aircraft. There is also no airflow obstruction to the PC, so the military can be sure that their device will last and not overheat. For additional security purposes, this shelf kit features a card reader and door to prevent unwanted access.

Another custom mount solution that the military needed was a ruggedised shelf kit for a switch. For this product, the shelf kit features a bracing kit made up of brackets to prevent the shelf from moving up and down or side to side. This shelf in particular had fixed rails, so the switch itself was fastened into the fixed rails. This ensures that the mounted equipment remains stable and functional. The military also requested the switch to be recessed into the server rack. This would help to prevent the network cables from protruding at the front of the rack. Additionally, a cable tray is integrated into the shelf assembly for efficient cable management.

Depending on the client’s needs, RackSolutions engineers can create custom products that go beyond workstation equipment. For enterprise and commercial customers, the company builds all sorts of racks, cabinets and accessories that can be tailored to military standards. These products are designed to last in even the most extreme environments.

Image credit: iStock.com/jondpatton