A Practical Guide to Selecting an Industrial Panel PC

Jun. 26,

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Industrial Panel PCs are essential tools in many industrial and manufacturing environments. They combine the functionality of a computer with a touch screen interface, making them ideal for controlling machinery, monitoring processes, and collecting data. Selecting the right Industrial Panel PC requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure it meets the specific needs of your application. This guide provides practical insights and tips to help you choose the best Industrial Panel PC for your requirements.

Understanding Industrial Panel PCs

Industrial Panel PCs are rugged, all-in-one devices designed to withstand harsh industrial environments. They feature robust enclosures, often with ingress protection (IP) ratings, to protect against dust, water, and other contaminants. These PCs come with integrated touch screens, typically available in various sizes and technologies such as resistive or capacitive touch. Their durability and versatility make them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications, from factory automation to transportation and logistics.

TouchThink Intelligent Industrial Control MINI PC TPC- in the Application of Self-check Ticketing Machine

Key Factors to Consider When Buying an Industrial Panel PC

Several critical factors should guide your decision when selecting an Industrial Panel PC:

Environmental Conditions: Consider the specific environmental conditions where the Panel PC will be used. Look for devices with appropriate IP ratings to ensure protection against dust, water, and extreme temperatures. For example, an IP65 rating indicates resistance to dust and water jets, suitable for many industrial settings.

Performance and Specifications: Assess the performance requirements of your application. Consider factors such as processor type, RAM, storage capacity, and operating system compatibility. High-performance applications may require powerful processors and ample memory, while basic monitoring tasks might be handled by less powerful systems.

Display Size and Resolution: Choose a display size and resolution that matches your needs. Larger screens with higher resolutions offer better visibility and more detailed information, which can be crucial for complex monitoring and control tasks.

Touch Think 21.5-inch Industrial Android AIO Panel PC On Vending Machine

Touch Screen Technology: Select the appropriate touch screen technology based on your usage. Resistive touch screens are durable and can be used with gloves or styluses, making them suitable for industrial environments. Capacitive touch screens offer better touch sensitivity and multi-touch capabilities but may not work with gloves.

Mounting Options: Consider the mounting options available for the Panel PC. Common mounting methods include VESA mounts, panel mounts, and rack mounts. Ensure the chosen mounting option fits your installation requirements and provides stability and accessibility.

Connectivity and Expansion: Evaluate the connectivity options, including USB ports, serial ports, Ethernet, and wireless connectivity. Additionally, consider the expansion capabilities, such as PCI or PCIe slots, to accommodate future upgrades or additional peripherals.

Power Supply: Check the power supply requirements and ensure compatibility with your existing power infrastructure. Some Panel PCs offer wide-range power inputs, allowing for flexible installation in various environments.

Top Tips for Selecting an Industrial Panel PC

Here are some essential tips to help you choose the best Industrial Panel PC for your needs:

Define Your Requirements: Clearly define the specific requirements of your application, including performance, environmental conditions, display size, and connectivity needs. This will help you narrow down the options and choose a suitable device.

Research and Compare: Research different brands and models, comparing their features, specifications, and customer reviews. Look for devices with a good reputation for reliability and performance.

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Consult Experts: Seek advice from industry professionals, system integrators, or manufacturers who can provide insights based on your specific needs and conditions. They can help you identify the best solutions and avoid potential pitfalls.

Test Before Buying: If possible, request a demo or sample unit to test the Panel PC in your actual operating environment. This will allow you to assess its performance, usability, and suitability for your application.

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Plan for Future Needs: Choose a Panel PC that can accommodate potential future requirements. Investing in a device with flexible connectivity and expansion options can save you money and effort in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Panel PCs

Q: What is the difference between resistive and capacitive touch screens?

A: Resistive touch screens are made of multiple layers that detect touch through pressure, making them durable and usable with gloves or styluses. Capacitive touch screens use an electrostatic field to detect touch, offering better sensitivity and multi-touch capabilities but may not work with gloves.

Q: Can Industrial Panel PCs be used in extreme temperatures?

A: Yes, many Industrial Panel PCs are designed to operate in extreme temperatures. Look for devices with specified operating temperature ranges and consider additional protective measures if necessary.

Q: How do I ensure the Panel PC will fit my installation requirements?

A: Check the dimensions, mounting options, and available space in your installation area. Ensure the chosen Panel PC can be securely mounted and accessed easily for operation and maintenance.

Q: Are there any industry standards or certifications to consider?

A: Yes, look for certifications such as IP ratings for ingress protection, NEMA ratings for enclosure types, and industry-specific standards (e.g., ATEX for explosive environments). These certifications indicate the device's suitability for specific applications and environments.

Choosing the right Industrial Panel PC involves considering various factors, including environmental conditions, performance, display size, and connectivity. By following the tips and recommendations outlined in this guide, you can make an informed decision and select a Panel PC that meets your needs and ensures efficient and reliable operation in your industrial environment.

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brians.laptop:

brians.laptop:

• Do I want an &#;Edge Gateway&#;, or &#;Industrial Edge Computer&#;? I&#;m unsure about this use of the term &#;gateway&#;.

Those sound like marketing terms--not sure what they mean either.

brians.laptop:

brians.laptop:

• Why wouldn&#;t I want primary storage? 256 GB SSD seems the correct choice.

That should be plenty of local storage. Unless you're planning to store a lot of data on it, 64 GB is generally sufficient in our experience running Windows 10 IoT. Doing local trending, getting extra is probably a good thing as SSDs do wear out with use.

brians.laptop:

brians.laptop:

• Auto Power On? So&#; power to the input turns it on, but you have to boot it down??

This means it turns on automatically on return of power after an outage--generally a good thing for on machine HMIs. It's just a BIOS setting.

brians.laptop:

brians.laptop:

• I&#;m guessing USB connection for the touch screen input from the Hope Industrial Touch Screen?

Yes.

brians.laptop:

brians.laptop:

• Ubuntu versus Windows 10? I have no idea which would be better.

Lots of people will recommend Ubuntu. If you're maintaining it, whichever you're most familiar with is probably the best choice. In our case, corporate standard is Windows so everything on machine is Windows 10 IoT.

brians.laptop:

brians.laptop:

• The pre-loaded Edge license seems higher than my Inductive Automation quote. I&#;m guessing I would want to load my own license, or is there a reason I&#;d want it pre-loaded? OnLogic lists several Ignition Edge versions, and I can&#;t determine what the right one is for this machine HMI.

You'd need Edge panel and possibly some additions, depending on what you want to do. We've considered Edge, but always ended up going to a limited 1 client Vision or Perspective license as most of our installations end up growing to multiple HMIs over time.

brians.laptop:

brians.laptop:

• Fanless? Is the computer going to have heat issues in that small panel? There is a small fan on the side of the cabinet, but there is also a 17" HMI screen mounting in the door.

Unless the panel itself is in a hot environment, I wouldn't be concerned about heat from the computer and touch panel.

We like the Hope Industrial panels and they've held up well for us in dirty environments (though yours looks pretty clean in comparison).

I'm not sure on Edge, but on a full Ignition install limited to a single client, you get one local client and one remote client (at least in Vision, have not tested with Perspective). This works great on machine HMIs as you get the on machine HMI plus a remote client you can use to view it for troubleshooting, etc.

Final note--we used to use OnLogic fanless units (under their previous name). We've had some weird failures with them over the years and are now using Beckhoff PLCs (without the TwinCAT license) instead. Availability is a bit of an issue right now though--our preferred units have ridiculous lead-times. We've been able to get substitutes that either cost more that what we'd usually get, or have only 4 GB of RAM. I wouldn't recommend less than 8 GB RAM for any gateway at this point, though we do have a number of older single machine HMIs.out there running on 4 GB for years and upgraded to Ignition 8.1.9 without issues.

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