Selecting the ideal industrial touch panel PC can be overwhelming due to the wide range of options and specifications available. Whether you're upgrading your existing system or starting a new industrial automation project, choosing the right panel PC is essential for ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and efficiency in any human-machine interface (HMI) application.
When choosing an industrial panel PC, several factors come into play. It's important to understand your specific application requirements, evaluate hardware specifications, and consider environmental conditions. In this guide, we&#;ll explore the key information you need to make an informed decision that aligns with your operational needs and enhances your industrial processes.
Selecting the right industrial panel PC involves several critical factors to ensure the device meets your specific application needs. Here are key considerations to guide your decision:
In summary, keep these questions in mind as you search for the ideal panel PC:
Industrial settings can expose devices to extreme temperatures, high humidity, dust, vibrations, and potential contact with water or chemicals. The ruggedness of your panel PC directly influences its durability and reliability in these challenging environments.
A key indicator of a panel PC's ruggedness is itsIP (Ingress Protection) rating. This rating classifies the level of protection against solid objects and liquids. For example, the Stainless Steel SIO Series boasts an IP66/IP69K rating, meaning it is dust-tight and can withstand water jets from any direction, making it ideal for environments with high dust levels and intense washdowns.
Choosing a panel PC with the appropriate IP rating is essential. In a food processing plant, a high IP rating is necessary to prevent water ingress during frequent washdowns, ensuring the equipment's longevity. Similarly, in a dusty manufacturing facility, a dust-tight panel PC is vital to avoid internal contamination and maintain performance.
Beyond IP ratings, it's important to consider additional rugged features like humidity and vibration resistance, especially in environments with heavy machinery or vehicles. Panel PCs built with industrial-grade components and robust construction provide greater resilience and a longer operational lifespan, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.
The performance level needed for your industrial panel PC is based on the specific demands of your application. Key performance factors include:
C&T's industrial panel PCs feature a modular design that allows users to select from a variety of processors, tailoring performance to specific application needs. This flexibility ranges from low-power CPUs for energy-efficient tasks to high-performance processors for demanding applications.
The modular approach enhances adaptability to different industrial environments and provides an upgrade path for future performance enhancements without requiring a complete system replacement, as seen in the Modular IP65 VIO Series. This makes modular panel PCs a cost-effective and versatile solution for dynamic industrial operations.
Connectivity is essential in an industrial panel PC, as it impacts integration with your system and supports M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication. Connectivity options can be broadly categorized into I/O connectivity and wireless connectivity.
I/O Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity
Wireless connectivity increases the flexibility and mobility of your industrial panel PC by allowing communication with other devices and networks without physical cabling. Key wireless technologies include Wi-Fi and 5G Connectivity.
Screen Size
The screen size of your panel PC should match the requirements of your application and the available space in your operational environment. Larger screens (15 inches and above) are ideal for applications that require detailed visuals, extensive data display, or complex user interfaces, providing better visibility and ease of use for operators. In contrast, smaller screens (under 15 inches) can be suitable for compact spaces or applications requiring minimal interaction. It&#;s important to balance screen size with resolution and aspect ratio to ensure clear and sharp image quality.
Touch Options
Touch functionality enhances the interactivity and efficiency of industrial panel PCs. There are several types of touch technologies to consider such as Capacitive & Resistive Touch.
Optical Bonding
Finally, considering whether to incorporate optical bonding into your industrial panel PC is a significant decision, as it enhances the display in various ways:
By considering the screen size, touch features, and the benefits of optical bonding, you can choose a display that enhances the performance and ease of use of your industrial panel PC, ensuring it meets the specific needs of your work environment.
What is Optical Bonding? A Guide to Industrial Displays
Properly mounting your industrial panel PC is essential for ensuring it works effectively, is easily accessible, and lasts longer. The mounting method you choose will depend on your specific work environment and the installation space available. Common mounting options include VESA mounting, panel mounting, wall mounting, and desktop mounting. You should also consider whether an open frame design is needed for your application.
In some cases, an open frame design may be beneficial. These panel PCs do not have an outer casing, making them perfect for custom enclosures, embedded systems, and integration into machinery. This design offers greater flexibility and allows the panel PC to blend seamlessly with existing systems.
When choosing a mounting method, think about the specific needs of your environment, the available space, and how accessible the panel PC needs to be for users. By selecting the right mounting option and deciding if an open frame design is necessary, you can ensure your panel PC is installed to maximize its performance, durability, and user-friendliness.
TOP 4 Mounting Options for Panel PCs- Step by Step Installation
Selecting the right industrial panel PC requires careful consideration of several factors, including ruggedness, performance, connectivity, screen specifications, and mounting options. There are many aspects to think about, especially since some industrial panel PCs come with additional features such as:
Industrial panel PCs are industrial computers designed for harsh industrial environments that integrate high-resolution touch display and computing power. The most common application at industrial sites is for human-machine interface (HMI), the communications bridge between the operator and the automation machine. In recent years, improvements in industrial panel PC performance and technology have extended their use to new applications in data collection and analysis, visualization of production processes, machine monitoring and predictive maintenance, and more. These additional use cases fuel growth in the global HMI market, with the global market survey by Allied Market Research estimating the global HMI market will reach 10.8 billion US dollars by , with a CAGR of 10.8% from to .
Apart from industrial HMI applications, the interactive kiosks we see in our everyday lives, such as the automated multimedia platforms in unmanned stores and self-service kiosks, also use industrial panel PCs. Industrial panel PCs provide computing capabilities and connect to peripheral devices for ticketing, cash handling, check-in, and self-service ordering. According to a report from another market research agency, Grand View Research, the global market size for kiosks will reach 28.45 billion US dollars in , of which more than 45% is for hardware parts such as scanners, card readers, printers, cameras, and panel PCs. Industrial panel PCs have found their place in applications in both industrial environments and daily life.
Nine Critical Considerations in An Industrial Panel PC
With the rising demand for industrial panel PCs, here are the nine key factors to consider when selecting an industrial panel PC:
&#; Screen Size
The first consideration is screen size and resolution, which depend on display content and complexity. Display content could be simple information such as messages, system messages, or graphics; complex multimedia content; or software-specific display requirements. All these factors determine the necessary display size, screen resolution, and display ratio.
&#; Touch Type
Industrial panel PCs typically use resistive or capacitive touchscreens depending on the application and situation. Resistive panels use fingertip pressure to control input and can be used with gloves on, so they are an excellent choice for single-point touch in automation equipment HMI. Capacitive panels sense input through human finger current and support multi-touch, so they can perform zooming, dragging, and other actions, making them well-suited for kiosks and infotainment systems.
&#; Display Brightness
The installation location, indoors or outdoors, determines the ideal brightness of the industrial panel PC&#;s display. Generally speaking, the brightness of an LCD backlight used indoors is about 200-300 nits, while outdoors is much higher, about 500- nits. Selecting a high-brightness sunlight-readable display for use under direct sunlight will ensure the operator or audience can see content clearly.
&#; Processor Efficiency
With the rise of smart factories, HMIs are being used to support more functions and smart applications that require high-performance computing. These new applications include machine vision, data collection, voice recognition, browsing CAD files, sensing, and even creating a virtual presence in AR and VR. Still, some panel PCs will continue to serve as simple information display terminals, such as for displaying production information and warehouse management, so they only need processors with general performance, low power consumption, and reasonable cost.
With competitive price and timely delivery, SATA IPC sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
&#; Fans or Fanless
Many factors determine the necessity of fans in factory applications. A dusty environment, for example, can easily hinder a fan&#;s performance, impacting overall system stability, so choosing a sealed fanless panel PC avoids this problem. For high-performance computing applications, a wide temperature and fanless industrial panel PC with a special heat dissipation structure is a better solution that removes the need for holes in the system casing or installing fans, thereby eliminating dust contamination. In short, multiple factors, including the application environment, computing requirements, and heat dissipation, must be considered when deciding whether a fan is needed.
&#; IP Rating
In an industrial environment, machines and equipment face different operational and safety threats, including dust, vibration, high and low temperatures, moisture, chemicals, water, and more. Ensuring reliable operation in these harsh environments necessitates varying levels of protection. The ingress protection (IP) rating is a general international standard used to test and evaluate a product&#;s dustproof and waterproof abilities and determine its protection level. The IP rating consists of two numbers. The first number, with the highest level of 6, indicates the system's level of protection against dust and solid foreign matter ingress. The second number shows the level of protection against water or liquid, and the highest level of 8 indicates it can withstand high-temperature and high-pressure water at close range. The appropriate IP rating of the industrial panel PC depends on the requirements of the application environment.
&#; Rugged Design
Using an industrial panel PC in a harsh industrial environment requires a rugged design, including a high-hardness, scratch-resistant glass display (surface hardness > 7H), a wide operating temperature range, and the ability to withstand high vibration and shock. In addition, it is also necessary to design the hardware with excellent protection to ensure electromagnetic compatibility with other devices in the system.
&#; Expandability
In the face of diverse applications and innovative future smart applications, flexible expansion can futureproof the industrial panel PC for multiple roles. To face multiple application environments, a general industrial panel PC offers various expansion options such as Mini PCIe, PCI/PCIe, and more. These flexible expansion options enable the addition of wireless transmission, extra I/O, and additional functions to transmit data and control various peripheral devices.
&#; Mounting Options
The machine design and environment determine the best installation method for an industrial panel PC. The most common installation methods include panel mount, open frame, VESA mount, and rack mount. A panel mount or open frame is the best choice to install the panel PC on the door of a control cabinet or integrate the panel PC as part of a machine before it leaves the factory. A standard 75/100mm VESA mount supports the installation of the panel PC on a cantilever or wall. For a panel PC in a server rack, rack mounts are the sensible choice and can be mounted using accessories with rack mount baffles or metal frames.
Cincoze Industrial Panel PCs
The Cincoze Display Computing - CRYSTAL product line consists of three industrial panel PC series. Each series features Cincoze&#;s Convertible Display System patented modular design, a rich selection of specifications, industrial ruggedness, and international certifications, making them the preferred choice for our customers.
&#; Full Selection of Sizes
Cincoze industrial panel PC product line includes three series: industrial panel PCs (CV-100/P series) for general industrial environments, sunlight-readable panel PCs (CS-100/P series) for outdoor high-brightness applications, and open frame panel PCs (CO-100/P series) for seamless integration with other equipment. The industrial panel PC series has sizes from 8.4&#; to 24&#; and display ratios from 4:3 to 16:9. Customers can choose Intel® Atom®, Pentium®, or Core&#; processors of different grades according to the required computing performance. Touchscreen options include multi-point capacitive (P-CAP) and single-point resistive touch. The sunlight-readable panel PC series is known for its high-brightness backlight display with a maximum of 1,600 nits. The display is clear and readable outdoors, even under sunlight. The open frame panel PC uses an integrated structure and patented adjustable mounting bracket, making it the favorite for its simplified on-site installation steps and customizability.
&#; CDS Patented Technology
Cincoze industrial panel PCs use Cincoze&#;s exclusive patented Convertible Display System (CDS, Patent No. M) technology. From the user&#;s perspective, it is flexible enough to meet future upgrade needs because they can change the display and the system separately. Convertible display modules come with a variety of different features (CV-100, CS-100, or CO-100 series) and can be freely matched with a computer module (P or P series) or monitor module (M series) to form a panel PC or industrial touch monitor. CDS provides a flexible modular design for easy maintenance on-site and future upgrades.
&#; Industrial Rugged Design
Cincoze industrial panel PCs use industrial-grade components to provide high reliability. The panel has a die-cast aluminum frame, the display surface hardness is up to 7H (P-CAP models), the front panel is IP65 waterproof and dustproof, the chassis is fanless, and the panel PC can sustain continuous operation in extreme temperatures from -20°C to 70°C. The power supply supports 9-48VDC wide-range voltage input and provides multiple protection mechanisms such as overvoltage, overcurrent, electrostatic discharge, and surge protection. These designs make Cincoze industrial panel PCs suitable for harsh working environments and can effectively avoid damage caused by power instability.
&#; Modular Expandability
Cincoze industrial panel PCs include rich native I/O and functions. For additional needs or functions, M.2, Mini PCIe, and PCI/PCIe expansion slots enable the installation of 4G/LTE wireless communication modules, I/O cards, data acquisition cards, motion control cards, and other expansion applications. Cincoze&#;s exclusive Control Function Module (CFM) enables the optional addition of PoE and IGN functions to save the time and cost of additional configuration, thereby reducing the construction cost of the whole system.
&#; International Certifications
Cincoze industrial panel PCs pass the mandatory product safety certifications, voluntary safety certifications* such as UL, waterproof and dustproof IP65, and anti-vibration/-shock (IEC -2-27, IEC -2-64), and EMC testing standards for industrial environments (EN-6-2, EN-6-4).
Cincoze Industrial Panel PC Use Cases
Cincoze industrial panel PCs can be used for, but are not limited to, the following applications:
&#; Factory Automation
Industrial panel PCs are mostly used in factories to assist in factory automation, providing functions such as production process visualization, data collection, equipment monitoring, and dashboards. Examples include a production line HMI in a car factory, and for the manufacture of rubber air springs.
&#; Machine Automation
Industrial panel PCs are integrated with or installed nearby the machine and are mostly used as smart terminals, OEM equipment control interfaces, or HMI. Examples include stone processing machines and label printing.
&#; Self-service Kiosk
Industrial panel PCs can be used for different service applications such as self-service payment, self-service ticket purchase, unmanned stores, and interactive multimedia. Examples include highway self-service toll booths, virtual queuing booths in water parks, and ferry self-service ticket booths.
&#; Energy Monitoring
Industrial panel PCs can be used as an HMI for data monitoring and remote device management operations. Examples include water treatment plants, distributed energy, and oil fields.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Best Industrial Panel Pc.