Tips for Choosing an Industrial Computer for your Applications

Industrial applications require a demand for systems that can operate efficiently in unpredictable settings and harsh environments. Most of the time, certain settings can take a real toll on computers whether it is due to dusty air, debris, heat damage, and even a shortage of proper maintenance; this can potentially damage conventional computers from performing well in the industry. New technological advances are designed to fight the obstacles like overheating, and dust build-up that these harsh environments will bring.

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1. Environmental - Wide Operating Temperatures

First, the performance of computers varies depending on which environment and application users are going to place computers. The wide range of temperature over which an industrial computer operates is the most important consideration while making a decision on purchasing. For instance, if the business is in the oil and gas industry, the temperature might get very high. Also, if the computers do not have a wide range of operating temperatures, there might be failures caused by high temperatures. Therefore, higher temperatures might cause the failure of computers or any other equipment. Thus, users need computers that can stand high temperatures with attachments that do not easily catch dust, liquid, and fire. Industrial computers are built to withstand extreme external factors in order to meet the needs of a wide range of applications. Military, marine, aerospace, and other outdoor industrial applications, along with manufacturing industries, medical industries, and more, are associated with harsh environmental factors. Machines within the medical industry, for instance, must be anti-bacterial and water-resistant. Machines within the marine industry must be both water-resistant and able to operate in extremely humid environments. One common factor shared across many industries is the extreme variation in temperature. Industrial computers in a wide variety of rugged and industrial applications must be able to operate in both extremely hot and extremely cold temperatures.

2. Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is one of the important things to consider when buying computers. In industries such as oil rigs and remote stations usually get power sources from generators or solar panels. Moreover, Acnodes&#; high-quality industrial-grade computers are with the most recent low-control processor technology. Acnodes&#; industrial computers ensure the powerful processors operate well and at the same time reduce power consumption. One engineering feat that&#;s made its mark in industrial sectors has been the development of low-power consumption PCs. Computers in industrial settings often need to run on very little power or need to maintain a steady flow of power for a long period of time &#; sometimes without any means of recharging the computer&#;s battery. This is where low-consumption PCs have become such a necessity. But low power consumption PC are often thought to be less efficient or less capable than others, which is not true in today&#;s reality. The first models of low-consumption computers weren&#;t as powerful as their full-power counterparts, but today&#;s PCs have come a long way. Now, low-power PCs are efficient without compromising performance, not to mention they&#;re lightweight and some models are portable.

3. Military Grade Electronics & IP Ratings

Military-grade industrial computers provide rugged stainless-steel housing and IP rating protections. IP ratings are standards for electrical enclosures defined by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). The rating refers to the degree of protection against water and dust provided by a computer's enclosure. The IP rating is expressed as a two-digit number (Example: IP-65). The first number designates protection from solids, while the second number designates protection from liquids. On the other hand, NEMA ratings are standards that are useful in defining the types of environments in which an electrical enclosure can be used. The NEMA rating system is defined by the NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturer Association), and frequently signifies a fixed enclosure&#;s ability to withstand certain environmental conditions. Acnodes&#; military-grade industrial computers offer high-performance technology with high levels of protection. Furthermore, Acnodes offers different IP rating protection selections for customers, such as IP66, IP65, and IP69K. With IP protection, Acnodes&#; computers provide higher durability and longevity. Acnodes&#; military-grade rugged computers tolerate difficult conditions with strong vibrations and shock during their entire lifetime. Moreover, the strong design of the chassis protects the internal modules from damage while shaking.

4. Military Standards MIL-STD 

Usually, industrial computers in the military offer more rugged protection than everyday computers. The U.S. Military Standard (MIL-STD) gives a guideline for devices that are said to be &#;rugged&#; or &#;ruggedized&#;. MIL-STD was introduced to provide a series of tests to simulate how the material would hold up to environmental stress during an operational lifetime. It has been revised several times over the years, the most recent being Revision G. The MIL-STD standards detail 28 different testing methods that cover everything from temperature to fungal infestation to gunfire. The eight tests used to determine if a computing device is rugged include high temperature, low temperature, rain, humidity, sand and dust, immersion, vibration, and shock.

5. EMI Shielding for Touch Screen

Touch screen interfaces integrated into electronic displays are now common in marine, military, and mobile applications. The high-ambient-light readability and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is most efficiently achieved through enhancements to commercial-off-the-self (COTS) components in these demanding environments. However, since the face of a display needs to be transparent, electromagnetic radiations emitted by the device or surrounding environment may damage the electrical components within the unit. To address the issue, touch screens integrated into display assemblies can be configured to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding ground plane and contrast-enhancement features to prevent EMI. For EMI shielding, a typical touch-screen-enabled display assembly is constructed with a Faraday cage- a continuous electrically conductive enclosure that surrounds the equipment and attenuates transmitting electric fields to the desired level. Common EMI shielding techniques for adding conductive properties to an optical substrate include the integration of transparent conductive coatings or a fine conductive grid of wires. The properties of transmittance and conductance can be adjusted or tuned to fit a specific application. All transparent conductive materials require an optical substrate as a carrier. The EMI shields will attenuate the visual light transmittance from 3% to 55%, depending on the specific technology and configuration employed.

5. Life Span

Industrial computers are more expensive than regular computers. Therefore, users would like to purchase industrial computers with high quality and longer life. Furthermore, the common life of an industrial computer is about five to seven years. However, it is possible that it can have a longer life span. Acnodes design their models with long-life chipset technology that the computers are lasting longer.

Additional References:

What is EMI Shielding and Why is it Important for Your Design?

Operating in Extreme Temperatures: A Must Have Quality of Industrial Computers

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Industrial PC for Your Manufacturing Environment

When selecting an industrial PC for your manufacturing environment, it&#;s important to choose a model that fits your budget, provides high performance, reliability, and can operate continuously in demanding conditions. With a wide variety of models and configurations available on the market, how do you select the best industrial computer for your needs? Below, we have outlined 8 key factors to help you make the right decision when choosing your embedded PC.

Link to SATA IPC

What Processor Should You Choose for Your Industrial PC?

The first step in selecting an industrial PC is determining the required processing power. The CPU is the core component of every industrial computer, so choosing the right processor is critical. Depending on the application, consider the following:

• For light industrial applications, such as basic data collection or monitoring tasks, or when low power consumption is a priority, processors like the Intel J, J, or N100 are excellent options.
• For applications requiring higher processing power and real-time data handling, such as machine vision systems, edge computing, or complex control processes, choose higher-performance processors like Intel i3, i5, or i7. These processors provide better multitasking capabilities and faster data processing speeds for more demanding industrial environments.

What Temperature Range Does Your Industrial PC Need to Operate In?

Consider the temperature range of the environment where the industrial computer will operate. Embedded PCs are often deployed in harsh environments, such as high/low temperatures, humidity, dust, and vibration. Based on your operational conditions:

• Standard industrial PCs typically function within a temperature range of 0°C to 60°C.
• Rugged embedded PCs designed for extreme environments may offer extended temperature ranges, such as -20°C to 60°C, and feature enhanced protection against dust, moisture, and physical shocks.

Choose a model that meets the required environmental specifications to ensure reliable and consistent performance over time.

What I/O Interfaces Do You Need for Your Industrial PC?

The selection of I/O interfaces is essential when choosing an industrial PC. Before making a decision, list all the devices you need to connect to your embedded PC and determine the appropriate interface types. Common I/O interfaces include:

• LAN: Local area network ports for connectivity to a wide range of devices.
• HDMI/DP: High-definition video output, suitable for connecting displays and offering both video and audio.
• VGA: Older video output for legacy displays still in use in many industrial environments.
• Serial Ports (RS232/COM): Dedicated ports for stable communication with industrial equipment like PLCs, sensors, or legacy systems.
• USB A and C: The most commonly used universal serial interface for connecting external devices, supporting different versions (e.g. USB 3.1, 3.2, Thunderbolt 4) to meet different performance requirements.

Ensure your industrial PC offers the necessary I/O ports to support the required connections for your specific applications.

How Important Is Network Communication for Your Industrial PC?

As Industry 4.0 evolves, connectivity becomes increasingly essential. Most industrial computers today offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 4G connectivity options, enabling easy integration into modern industrial systems. For remote or distributed systems, wireless solutions are particularly important. With 4G-enabled industrial PCs, you can maintain communication with devices even in hard-to-reach locations, providing flexibility for smart factory applications and remote monitoring.

How Much Memory Does Your Embedded PC Need?

Memory is a key factor in the performance of any industrial PC. When selecting RAM, consider both the current configuration and future performance needs. If you are upgrading an existing system, consider adding 20% more memory to ensure smooth operation. Many industrial embedded PCs also offer dual-channel memory, which significantly improves system performance by allowing faster data access compared to single-channel memory.

What Type of Storage Should You Choose for Your Industrial PC?

For industrial PCs in demanding environments, solid-state drives (SSD) are typically the best choice due to their durability, fast data transfer speeds, and shock-resistant nature. Common storage options include SATA, mSATA, and M.2 SATA interfaces. If you require higher storage capacity at a lower cost, hard disk drives (HDD) are still a viable option for certain applications, though they are generally slower and less rugged than SSDs.

Does Your Industrial PC Need Expansion Options for Future Upgrades?

When selecting an industrial computer, consider the potential for future upgrades and expansion. Look for models with sufficient PCI or PCIe expansion slots, which allow you to add more hardware or modules as your needs evolve. This is especially important if your application may grow in complexity over time.

What Are the Best Mounting Options for Your Industrial PC?

When choosing an industrial PC, ensure that it offers the appropriate mounting options for your environment. Embedded PCs come in various forms, including:

• Wall-mounted: Ideal for space-constrained industrial settings, where the PC can be mounted on a wall.
• Rack-mounted: Perfect for data centers or large-scale systems requiring high-density deployment and easy maintenance.
• Desktop: Suitable for office environments or control rooms, offering flexibility and ease of use.
• Embedded: Designed to be integrated directly into machines or industrial equipment, providing a compact solution for specific tasks.

Also, consider cable management options like front or rear cable exits to simplify installation and reduce wiring complications.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Industrial PC

By following these 8 key points, you&#;ll be equipped to choose the best industrial PC for your unique requirements. Whether you&#;re looking for an embedded PC for rugged environments or a high-performance industrial computer for demanding tasks like machine vision or edge computing, these guidelines will help you make an informed decision. This ensures that your industrial PC not only meets current needs but is also capable of supporting future growth and technological advancements.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Rugged Industrial Computers.