Are standoffs required when mounting PC/104 modules?
PC/104 modules have traditionally been stacked together or onto baseboards using 0.60-inch nylon or aluminum standoff spacers between board mounting holes. While standoffs provide an economical mounting method, many PC/104 users have found them to be tedious and time-consuming to assemble or disassemble. As an alternative, PC/104 modules can be secured in railed card cages, which use four slotted aluminum rails and two steel end caps bolted together to support the PC/104 card stack. Holding up to 14 boards, card cages securely hold the four corners of each PC/104 circuit board and enables quick removal and replacement of defective modules or reorganization of the stack as it’s being configured for thermal management, connector orientation, and cable routing. With cards installed, an entire card cage assembly can measure as small as four inches on a side. This method also enables shock/vibration isolators to be attached to the card cage for portable or otherwise rugged applications. Ans
