How SmallPC’s Dustproof SDC190 Boosted Bakery Efficiency

In the demanding world of commercial baking, the equipment used must be just as reliable as the baked goods produced. In 2008, Maidstone Bakeries, located in Brantford, approached SmallPC with a unique challenge: they needed durable computers and screens capable of operating in a heavy flour-dust environment. The goal was to connect their technology directly to the bakery’s production line, allowing employees to input, track, and display important data about the types and quantities of baked goods produced each day.

The Challenge: Flour-Dust-Proof Computers for Bakery Environments

Bakeries like Maidstone face specific environmental challenges. Flour dust is pervasive in production areas, and it can wreak havoc on traditional electronics by clogging fans, infiltrating components, and causing overheating. For this reason, Maidstone needed a sealed, dustproof solution that could stand up to the rigorous conditions of a bakery, all while providing high-visibility displays for employees to use during production.

Key Requirements:

1. Dustproof Enclosure: Protection from flour and other particles common in a bakery environment.
2. All-in-One System: A combined computer and display for ease of use and minimal footprint on the production floor.
3. High Visibility: Bright, clear displays to ensure important data could be read easily in any lighting condition.
4. Durable Input System: Reliable employee input for tracking production metrics such as quantities and types of baked goods.

The Solution: SmallPC’s Sealed All-in-One SDC190

To meet these challenges, SmallPC developed the SDC190, a sealed all-in-one industrial computer designed specifically for dusty and harsh environments. The SDC190 integrated both the PC and a high-visibility display into a single, durable unit. This design was easy to maintain and perfect for bakeries where the conditions made regular equipment cleaning or maintenance difficult.

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The Benefits of the SDC190:

• Sealed Design: Prevents flour dust from entering the system, ensuring consistent operation without the risk of component failure.
• High Visibility Display: Employees can easily read production data on a bright, clear screen, even in a busy and dust-filled bakery environment.
• Durable Input Interface: Employees were able to track quantities and types of baked goods efficiently without worrying about the system failing in a dusty environment.
• Long-Term Durability: With Maidstone purchasing 20 units in 2008, the SDC190s ran for over a decade without any significant issues.

Expansion and Upgrades: Aryzta Bakeries & Windows 8

In 2010, Maidstone was acquired by Aryzta Bakeries, one of the leading bakery companies in North America. The durability and reliability of the SDC190 units quickly proved their worth. As Aryzta began upgrading their bakery lines over the following decade, they refitted them with an additional 30 units, this time with upgraded Windows 8 configurations. The decision to continue using SmallPC’s industrial computers highlighted how crucial reliability and durability are in flour-dust-heavy environments like those found in bakeries.

Transition to Aspire Bakeries in 2021

In 2021, Aryzta North America became Aspire Bakeries, continuing the legacy of producing top-quality baked goods while relying on the proven durability of SmallPC’s SDC190 units. After more than a decade of continuous use, these systems remain a cornerstone of the production line’s technology, providing seamless data input and output in the challenging conditions of commercial baking.

Fun Fact: A Sweet Reminder

One of the quirkiest and most memorable aspects of SmallPC’s partnership with Maidstone and Aryzta Bakeries? Whenever a unit came back for servicing, it was accompanied by a delicious, cinnamon bun aroma! The flour-dust-filled environment inevitably led to the scent of baked goods clinging to the equipment—an unexpected perk for the service team.

Conclusion: SmallPC’s Solutions for Tough Environments

SmallPC’s partnership with Maidstone Bakeries, later Aryzta Bakeries, and now Aspire Bakeries, showcases the power of rugged industrial computers designed for specific environmental challenges. The SDC190 all-in-one PC, with its dustproof design, high visibility display, and reliable input system, proved essential in keeping bakery production lines running smoothly for over a decade.

Whether your business operates in a dust-heavy environment, high humidity, or other challenging conditions, SmallPC can deliver customized, durable computing solutions that ensure long-term reliability.

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