Vehicle Mount Terminal Or Tablet - Which Is better For Forklift Installations? Part 3: Vibration & Shock Mounting Systems & Peripherals

Computers mounted on forklifts are punished with shock, vibration, and impacts on a daily basis. Manufacturers build these computers from the inside out to withstand the relentless assault found in the typical warehouse environment. These computers typically have solid state drives, switches, connectors, and cables designed to perform for at least 5 years without breakage. Certifications from the manufacturer listed under vibration, shock, HALT or MIL-STD 810F, indicate the device is built for vehicle mounted applications and will run for multiple years without experiencing any performance degradation.

Most VMT manufacturers have years of experience with these harsh environments and performance history is available, as well as estimated life of the device. At Glacier we routinely provide performance history and break/fix metrics. We also offer a refurbishment service to upgrade processors and other components, to extend the longevity of the terminal and defer replacement costs well past the five year mark. Tablet vendors new to forklift applications may not be able to provide performance history on the expected life of the device.

Always inspect the housing of the terminal and all the connecting switches and cables. A lightweight plastic housing may not survive as long as other materials like cast aluminum or steel. Make sure connectors and switches are solid and sturdy. Forklift terminals are not only subject to vibration from the forklift, but also collisions with pallets, beams and inadvertent impacts from tools as the operator moves on and off the forklift. Certain forklift applications such as cold storage environments or outside warehouse space, create additional wear and tear on the terminals and will impact the level of ruggedness required.