ALLEN-BRADLEY DataMyte Fan Model 796-03E-EN Data Collector

Circa 1985 (ESTIMATED)

A portable handheld electronic device designed for use in manufacturing and quality control environments. It is used for collecting data on the factory floor for statistical process control (SPC) and quality management. Operators can use it to input measurements and attributes, which are then analyzed to monitor and improve manufacturing processes.

Use Cases:

1. High-Volume Production Floors

The primary environment for this device is the factory floor, specifically at workstations or assembly lines.

• On-line Inspection: Operators use the handheld unit to perform measurements at regular intervals without stopping the production line.

• Stationary Process Monitoring: It can be used as a fixed-station collector for real-time Statistical Process Control (SPC), alerting operators to trends that might indicate a process is going out of control.

2. Harsh Industrial Settings

Designed for "extreme durability," these collectors are engineered to withstand conditions that would damage standard electronics:

• Machine Shops and Foundries: Resistant to typical factory contaminants like oil, water, cutting fluids, and dust.

• Variable Temperatures: Capable of operating in a wide temperature range, typically from -20°C to +45°C (-4°F to 113°F).

• High-Vibration Areas: The unit is drop-tested (often up to four feet to concrete) and uses secure, threaded connectors to maintain signal integrity near heavy machinery.

3. Specialized Industry Segments

The DataMyte's versatility makes it a standard in several specific high-stakes sectors:

• Automotive & Aerospace: Used for measuring critical dimensions like gap and flushness on vehicle bodies or verifying residual torque on safety-critical fasteners.

• Food & Beverage / Medical Products: Employed for lot and incoming material inspections to ensure compliance with strict safety and quality standards.

• Pulp, Paper, & Textiles: Monitoring continuous production variables to maintain consistency across large-scale runs.

4. Quality Control & Metrology Labs

• While built for the floor, these units are also found in metrology labs for detailed data analysis. They collect variables from specialized tools like Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) and digital gages to create histograms and Pareto charts for long-term reporting.