An Aluminum PC/104 Railed Card Cage provides a rugged, simple-to-use method for reliably mounting PC/104 computer modules within an embedded system. A card cage is made up of four sturdy aluminum rails with a steel end cap bolted on each end. Rails are available in four different lengths - 4.0", 6.0", 8.0", and 10.0" – to accommodate up to 5, 8, 11, and 14 PC/104 cards, respectively. Three types of end caps are available to meet most application requirements.

A card cage is designed to eliminate the need to use tedious standoffs or spacers, while at the same time securely holding the corners of each circuit board in the stack and protect the system from damage. A PC/104 card stack can be quickly assembled and disassembled by simply removing two rails, which enables complete access to the card stack. PC/104 railed card cages have been used successfully implemented in various applications, from aerospace and military equipment to electronic medical devices and industrial automation.

The card cage rail includes a strip of viton rubber within each rail to hold the PC/104 cards in place yet allow boards to be placed at non-standard intervals within the stack. This may enable many boards with surface mount components in the "keep-out" areas of the PC/104 standard to mount within the card cage. Its design is also useful for PC/104 systems that incorporate non-standard or external components, user interface controls and mounting fixtures.

Shock and vibration-absorbers (Shock Rocks) are available for these card cages when placing them inside of either a 5x5 (AKA DuraChassis), 3/4 ATR, or Dzus® Rail 1/4 Turn enclosures. Click here to view the Shock Rocks datasheet and ordering information. If mounted directly to a baseplate or septum, Silastic® standoffs (Bumper Beans) can alternatively be screwed into the rails to cushion the card cage from shock and vibration.

To ease removal of the card cage from an enclosure, Parvus offers a tough, Nylon Pull Strap with two eyelets that bolt to the end of a card cage and allow the user to easily pull the cage out.