3D Printer Graphic Interface/User Interface

In modern manufacturing applications, 3D printing is changing the way companies design products and develop prototypes. 3D printing helps manufacturers cut costs and reduce lead times by enabling them to develop solutions and bring products and spare/replacement parts to market much faster.

Until now 3D printing with plastic material has been the primary method used by engineers. A Canvys customer designed the world’s first office-friendly metal 3D printing system. These machines allow users to develop complex prototypes and rapid tooling solutions, and to mass produce smaller-scale metal products in an office setting.

Parts printed on this innovative machine can be used almost immediately because there is no need for additional machining steps. The goal is to make 3D metal and carbon fiber available and accessible to engineers, designers, and manufacturers.

The Canvys engineering team partnered with the customer’s engineering team to develop a product that met the unique technical and aesthetic design requirements. The initial design concepts included plastic enclosure, touch screen requirements, internal chassis design, and other internal electronics including custom cabling.

The Canvys team then worked with numerous supplier partners to identify solutions, select components, and create an Engineering Specification document with custom drawings to present to the Customer engineering team for review. The teams held regular design review meetings throughout the product development process. This fully custom design includes a 24” LCD monitor with an integrated PCAP Touchscreen; on-screen menus; an Emergency Stop Button with a custom-colored ring to highlight the E-Stop quickly in the event of an emergency; a cable management system; and a plastic enclosure that matches the color, texture, and design concept of the 3D machine.

The operating environment of the display is the most critical aspect of the application. The custom 24” display will be used in an environment with metal particulates and other potential airborne particles. Protection against dust and airborne particles was a critical requirement of the design. The Canvys team recommended an optical bonding process for the touch assembly along with custom gaskets to seal the enclosure and internal thermal management instead of traditional ventilation.

This collaborative effort between both engineering teams produced an ideal display solution for users in the 3D Metal Printing industry.

Custom LCD Monitors for Air Traffic Control

Over many years, a square 2K x 2K monitor with a 28.1" screen size has become the control screen of choice for airspace control and monitoring. Usually, a high-resolution native 2048 x 2048 screen with a pixel pitch of 0.246mm is used with additional LCD monitors on a control room workstation. This monitor solution is widely used for civil and military applications.

As a cost-effective alternative, Canvys offers a single 43” 4K2K (16:9) control room workstation solution that replaces the traditional two-monitor workstations. The custom solution can display a main 2048 x 2048 native resolution, 0.2451mm pixel pitch, airspace surveillance/control image with two additional 1680 x 1050 image overlays from two independent signal inputs. The smaller pixel pitch of the 2048 x 2048 main screen display causes a 1.8mm smaller physical width and height of the control image that is almost identical to the original 28.1" monitor. The 43” 4K2K solution displays all three images on one screen. Our customers’ feedback is that this custom monitor solution provides optimal ergonomics as well as an increase in workspace due to the elimination of two LCD monitors.

The 4K2K control room workstation LCD monitor is fanless, suitable for 24/7 operation (when used correctly), and can display signals via both DisplayPort and DVI-D interfaces. Users can tilt the modern TrueFlat metal housing of the 4k2k control room workstation screen up to 12° using the supplied feet. The anti-reflective (AR) coating of the protective glass minimizes reflections of the glass surface, and supports high resolution and high-contrast image displays.

Canvys engineers, designs and manufactures each of its display solutions with stable, long-term availability. We understand that most OEM product life expectancies are three to five years or even longer. Changes to system components can require considerable amounts of time and money to re-test, re-certify, and re-train users. The system is only as strong as its weakest link. With this understanding, Canvys contracts with its suppliers to ensure that components will be available for the duration of the project.

Control Rooms and Electronic Interlocking

The control center for every railroad, bridge, tunnel, canal, and airport is essential for ensuring safe and efficient operation. An electronic interlocking system tracks and controls information from traffic, signals, and points either locally or remotely.

The control rooms and electronic interlockings for these vital facilities are usually secured and inaccessible to the public. A typical site includes several electronic displays and control panels, and there may also be a large, wall-sized display area visible from anywhere in the room. Some control rooms are under constant video surveillance and recording for safety, compliance, and employee accountability. Many control rooms are operated 24/7 and can have several people on duty at the same time.

Larger transport facilities, such as bridges, tunnels, canals, airports, and railroads, require 24-hour control rooms to monitor and report traffic congestion and quickly respond to emergencies. One Canvys customer controls the railroad operation for thousands of railway kilometers. Railroad dispatchers work in these facilities around the clock to ensure efficient railroad operation.

The displays used in these applications must meet strict ergonomic requirements and be equipped with a very narrow frame since a workstation wall may need to accommodate 16 displays. Since there may be up to 12 workstations in a control room, the displays must be fanless to limit background noise. The selection of unique, high-quality components ensures the displays' reliable, energy-efficient operation for many years, even under 24/7 operating conditions.

Canvys has been developing display solutions for this market for many years and continues to excel with new projects and innovations. Canvys is fully certified to deliver monitors that meet the regulatory standards and uses only components with long-term availability to maintain the product's long life cycle and avoid time-consuming redesigns and expensive recertification.

HMI - Food Processing Control Panels

In the food processing industry, food safety is the highest priority. Canvys custom monitors for control panels meet or exceed the latest hygiene regulations while creating machine systems of superior quality, modern design, and ease of operation. The modern human-machine interface (HMI) design with smooth rounded edges and edgeless surfaces enables thorough cleaning and disinfecting. The stainless steel or milled die-cast housing is one of the hygienic design product features required by the food processing industry.

PCAP touch monitor units are ideal for the HMI, allowing for safe, easy use when wearing thick gloves. The TrueFlat design and bonded glass that follows food regulations achieve an increased level of protection up to IP69K. This protection class also allows professional cleaning of the entire machine with industrial, high-pressure hot water cleaners.

Canvys develops specialized touch controller firmware solutions for food-processing machines to prevent unwanted touch events, possibly caused by water drops or surface contaminations on the HMI. This solution increases the safety of the machine system control against unwanted triggering events during operation of the system.

Canvys offers many features for customization the final display solution including thicker protection glass, border color to match the customer's product, antiglare (AG), anti-reflective (AR), and anti-smudge (AS) screens. Specific to Antiglare, the AG coating not only minimizes fingerprints and possible reflections in bright ambient light but also improves the haptics of the cover glass during wiping movements for touch control and glove operation.

For decades, Canvys has used industrial components that are available long-term. This approach provides an extremely long-life display solution up to 10 years. Displays remain unchanged in form, fit, and function, protecting customer investments in development and certifications.

Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for Machine Control and Surveillance

Canvys is a global leader in providing custom monitors for human-machine interfaces (HMIs) used in industrial applications.  Typically, a machine tool, a programmable logic controller (PLC) and/or an industrial PC with a PLC controller and software play an increasingly important role in the various automation and manufacturing processes.

The Canvys team worked with a manufacturer that uses a high-speed and high-precision CNC machine with custom touch monitors and All-In-Ones (a monitor with an integrated PC) to carry out the control. To meet customer-specific requirements, the end customer can choose between a 23.8" display with a PCAP touch screen and a 23.8" All-In-One with a PCAP touch screen.  This custom display solution provides a high degree of flexibility meet high-end and low-cost requirements.

Our team of experts selected components from industrial suppliers.  We collaborated with their supplier teams and reviewed roadmaps to ensure long-term availability and support. These industrial components meet demanding temperature, shock, and vibration specifications.  The robust aluminum housing is designed to provide IP54 protection and is equipped with a front-mounted rugged touch screen.

An Anti-Glare (AG) coating of the PCAP touch screen was part of the display solution. It minimizes any reflections on the glass surface and supports high-resolution and high-contrast display images. The custom monitors are fanless, minimizing service and maintenance issues, and include a 24VDC power supply that protects from surge and burst during boot up. The ergonomic design of the displays with integrated cable cover can be easily installed onto existing support arms via the standard VESA interface.

Customer-specific requirements such as a boot logo, a back-printed customer-logo on the protective glass or touch screen, and specific requirements regarding the metal housings can also be implemented.

Canvys' use of quality industrial components ensures long-term availability without change to form, fit, and function.

Kiosk Machines

The Canvys team designed a street kiosk that would display transportation information. The custom monitor solution had to be viewable in direct sunlight and dim automatically for low light output /evening usage. Canvys designed a 2000cd/m² LCD into the kiosk with an Automatic Light Sensing system (ALS) to ensure the correct light output for optimal viewing.

The touch sensor had to operate in all weather conditions and be vandal resistant. Canvys selected unique components to suit the environment's heat and humidity factors, and our team applied conformal coating on the boards/components. Canvys also used laminated layers of damage and scratch-resistant glass, and designed the solution needed to be easily replaceable in case of vandalism.

In another kiosk display solution, the customer faced extreme weather-resistant requirements and risk of vandalism. Canvys engineered a 16mm thick, laminated custom touch sensor, which underwent an extensive steel ball drop test. The overall design met the customer’s rigorous impact requirements while enabling touch operation during inclement weather conditions. In addition, Canvys selected UV coatings to combat glare during direct sunlight.

Canvys has also supplied smaller-sized monitors for these environments that adhere to the TFL directives for use with prosthetics hands.

Marine

Canvys is dedicated to providing superior customer service through product innovation, product quality and customer support. Our solutions include high performance displays that are at the forefront of leading edge display technology and can be engineered and certified for harsh Marine environments.

We customize marine specific display solutions to incorporate many features unique to the marine marketplace such as:

• Color calibration
• Sunlight readable
• High efficiency and low heat designs
• Lightweight
• Watertight; salt water resistant
• Bezel or no bezel options
• Flexible mounting capabilities including panel mount, open frame, chassis mount, VESA mount, rear mount, rack mount, and tabletop
• Wide range of video and power inputs
• Wide range of touch screen options

We demonstrate our expertise by:

• Ensuring stable and long term display availability - each of our display solutions is engineered, designed and manufactured with the goal of stable and long term availability.
• Streamlining OEM workflow procedures - working with the OEM during the consultation phase, Canvys engineers identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiency based on the needs of the environment.
• Improving and increasing display usability - as a value-added manufacturer and value added integrator, Canvys has a vast amount of technology options available. By adding the right touch technology or a protective shield to a display, the end user experience can be greatly enhanced.
• Ensuring display compatibility - Canvys engineers test OEM systems for compatibility in addition to testing touch, display, and peripheral drivers. This testing ensures that conflicts with any of the systems components are avoided.

Custom Monitors: Quality Control, Quality Inspection Systems

The quality inspection process is critical in meeting specific regulatory requirements and workflow and for continuously improving product quality. Many companies in the cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and automotive industries use turnkey inspection systems to meet high-quality standards. Most quality inspection systems include an integrated highly customized monitor. These monitors are vital to the inspection process as they are the main interface for the operator.

Canvys designs and engineers quality control/inspection monitor solutions to meet the high demands of various industries. These systems inspect labels on bottles, jars, cans, and containers at up to 50 objects per second.

We engineer our custom monitor solution with a robust aluminum housing, IP54 rated protection and a front-bonded multi-touch screen. This design allows for future operating updates with gesture control. The added True Flat touchscreen's Anti-Glare coating (AG) minimizes reflections of the glass surface and supports high-resolution and high-contrast image displays. Our ergonomic design includes a cable cover that integrates easily into existing support arms via the VESA interface. Our solutions are designed with long-term components to maintain availability over an extended period which helps avoid time-consuming redesigns and expensive recertifications. Each component is carefully chosen based on many factors, such as manufacturer product roadmaps, ruggedness, and compatibility. Long-term availability with a consistent form, fit, and function ensures program/product longevity.

Our team can also implement other customer requests such as a boot logo, customer logo on the protective glass or touchscreen, or specific requirements for the metal housing.

Transportation Industry

Canvys engineers custom display solutions designed to meet the harsh environmental requirements of the transportation industry.

Passenger Information Display (PID)/ CCTV Monitor Display Solution for Busses

Our team engineered a lightweight, aluminum case monitor for passenger information displays. This Canvys display solution is in use on busses since 2009. By keeping the solution intact throughout the years, the customer has avoided the need for costly re-certification in this heavily regulated arena. These monitors display passenger information from security CCTV feeds and are in high-traffic public environments. The displays feature a vandal-resistant, stylish, robust, metal case with rounded edges required to protect customers. The unique design ensures the correct radius of these edges adheres to appropriate regulations. Due to the high traffic environment and the likelihood of vandalism, the protective screen is easily replaceable. One design feature is that a service engineer can easily replace the protective screen by removing only two screws, reducing the time required to replace the screen in case of damage.

The passenger information displays handle varying voltages and voltage spikes, which are common in these applications. The customized firmware allows instant switching between signals from different camera feeds without any blanking of the screen visible to the public.

EN45545 Approved Monitor for Railway Passenger Carriages

The solution for passenger train rolling stock had to meet the correct fire safety regulations and requirements, which entailed using specific materials. The unit's construction had to be sufficiently rigid to withstand extreme shock and vibration of the railway environment to ensure no damage to the internal components. The monitor was required to display both travel information and advertising material, which requires both image consistency when exposed to high ambient light and correct logo color accuracy required by advertising agencies. By using contrast-enhancing technology, the image quality met both these parameters. Our engineering team also designed the custom aluminum lightweight case with an anti-vandal protection screen, rigid chassis, and styled to complement the carriage interior design.

Driver Safety Monitors

The purpose of driver safety monitors is to provide train operators with uninterrupted images of train doors opening and closing to ensure passengers' safety on the railway platform.

The challenge for this solution was to manufacture a lightweight, milled aluminum case to fit into an existing small aperture. We sealed the chassis to meet IP68 rating. To address the wide temperature ranges of -20°C to +70°C, Canvys used unique components to ensure the monitor consumed the minimum amount of watts to maintain the unit's internal ambient temperature. The monitor had to be sunlight viewable for high ambient light in the cab and a dimming range down to 0.5cd/m² for deficient light/night-time use. The final solution uses an ambient light sensor to control the dimming of the unit. The long-life components meet stringent shock and vibration requirements and fire safety regulations.

The custom monitor required a small FPGA custom board, which allowed it to switch on and off in less than 30ms as the train entered or left the station. Since the monitor is a safety device, one of the requirements was to display real-time images without latency. The A/D card and image processing do not have a frame store, and rescaling and image processing are done in real-time.

For a monitor to replace rearview mirrors on trams, a similar set of parameters required a custom display solution engineered by our team. The challenge was to show a mirror image on the screen to replicate a conventional mirror. Due to safety regulations, the inversion of the image had to occur in real-time with no delay in the A/D card's frame buffer.

The Canvys team has been able to meet all the unique design requirements and safety regulations imposed by the transportation industry. Canvys is committed to delivering visual technology display solutions to the transportation market while exceeding expectations. These solutions help companies meet business objectives by boosting productivity, addressing security requirements, and controlling costs.

Vending Machines and Systems

Vending machines deliver items such as snacks, drinks, and cigarettes after cash, credit card, or a specially designed card has been inserted into the machines. The vending machine product offerings have expanded throughout the years to now include lottery tickets, electronics, clothing, gift cards, and more. Vending machines with touch screen monitors provide a convenient and contactless method for consumers to make purchases and an inexpensive way for suppliers to market their products. As the vending machine market grows, vending systems have become more complex to meet environmental demands, laws restricting purchases (such as age), and cultural changes.

Canvys has been developing custom vending machine display solutions for many years and is continuously working with customers on new technologies and innovations. Canvys is involved in the initial design and development of these applications and uses select components to maintain availability over the long lifecycle of the product. Our design approach helps customers avoid time-consuming new designs and expensive re-certifications.

Today, vending machines mainly use All-In-Ones (a PC integrated into a monitor) which simplifies the integration into the customer’s POS system. These custom All-In-Ones are available in various display sizes and are equipped with a touch screen to facilitate interactive operation. Components are enclosed in a robust metal housing to protect the vending machine from vandalism. Canvys custom display solutions utilize PCAP touch screens, the same technology used in smartphones, making the vending systems user friendly.