Designing for Small Spaces

A bistable latching solenoid was designed to lock and unlock individual server trays in the server cabinet.

Customer Problem

A producer of modular computing servers needed a means of ensuring that technicians could physically identify which specific server needed maintenance. A given installation could involve hundreds or even thousands of individual servers. With so many servers in any single installation, it was possible that a technician may inadvertently remove and service the wrong server. A device was needed that would lock the individual server trays in the cabinet and unlock only the trays holding the faulty servers.

The TLX Solution

TLX Technologies developed a bistable latching solenoid that could be mounted in the small amount of space available in the server cabinet. The steel server tray was used as part of the magnetic circuit to help keep the solenoid as small as possible. Latching technology was utilized so that only a short pulse of current was needed to unlock or relock the server tray, minimizing power consumption and heat generation.

View Design Solution

Bistable Latching Solenoid

Stroke: 5 mm ± .20 mm

Supply voltage: 12 Vdc

Coil resistance at 20°C: 8.0 Ω

Operating temperature range: 15°C to 45°C (59°F to 113°F)

Duty cycle: 10% max.

All TLX components are customized to fit system requirements, meaning technical specifications are unique to each customer and design. Examples given on our website are for illustration purposes only.

Working with TLX

Experienced partner of industry leaders, first-tier suppliers, and OEMs
Direct access to our design and engineering team
Localized production in USA and China
Dependable single-source solution from design to delivery

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Our Process

Step 1 / Initial Review

Our engineering team works directly with you to determine the viability of your program and identify the best solution based on your specifications.

Step 2 / Quote

Quotes include all costs related to your project - tooling, prototype, piece part, production and project specific costs.

Step 3 / Design Review & Prototypes

Our engineering team reviews the design with you and makes any adjustments needed. Prototypes are built according to design specifications for testing.

Step 4 / Testing

Prototypes are tested according to your specifications, with all relevant test data provided to you for evaluation.

Step 5 / APQP

DFMEA’s, PFMEA’s, control plans and process flow diagrams are started to drive the product intent design.

Step 6 / Pre-Production

Working drawings are developed for production. A second prototype build and a set of production parts are made from tooling and thoroughly tested.

Step 7 / PPAP/Production

The final design along with the PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) is developed and the new product enters production.

Step 8 / Ongoing Improvements

Our team collaborates with you to continue making improvements to the product to best meet your needs, increasing efficiency and reducing cost.

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