As technology continues to advance, a wide variety of businesses are increasingly turning to industrial computers to meet their computing needs. Unlike consumer-grade computers, which are designed for home and office use, industrial computers are built to withstand the harsh conditions of industrial environments. From manufacturing and construction to outdoor applications, industrial computers offer a range of benefits and can be customised to meet the specific needs of different industries.

One of the primary benefits of using industrial computers in industrial settings is durability. Unlike consumer-grade computers, which can easily be damaged by dust, water, or rough handling, industrial computers are built with ruggedized components and reinforced casings that can withstand dust, water, extreme temperatures, vibration and shock. This means that they can continue to operate 24/7 in harsh industrial environments, minimizing the risk of downtime and loss of productivity.

With the increase of automation, industrial computers play an essential role in controlling and monitoring these processes. Making use of powerful processors, high-speed storage, and advanced graphics capabilities, industrial computers have the ability to carry on 24/7 long-term automation of machines, robots, and other equipment, and collect data from sensors and other sources helping to optimise operations. This helps businesses to increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve product quality.

Benefits of Industrial Computers

Industrial computers also have the added benefits of customisability and longevity. They can be built to operate in specific temperature ranges, to fit into compact spaces, to operate with specialised input/output configurations, and with many other customisable features that are required for specific applications. Industrial computers are also designed to have a long lifespan, with components that are rugged and long-lasting, and that can easily be replaced and upgraded over time. This allows businesses to adapt and optimise their processes, ensuring they remain competitive and meet the changing demands of their customers.

Industrial computers are also designed to comply with industry standards and regulations, are compatible with a range of industry devices and systems, and have a range of built-in security features. Having just touched on a few of the benefits of industrial computers, it is clear to see that they are by far the ideal solution for use in harsh industrial environments. However, with a number of different form factors to choose from, it can sometimes be difficult to choose the right solution for your application. This raises the question…

Which industrial computer is right for my application?

All-in-one industrial PCs and embedded box computers are both common types of computing systems that are used in industrial environments. While they share some similarities, there are important differences between them which can greatly impact their long-term effectiveness depending on the application.

Example of a Panel PC being used in an industrial environment

All-in-one industrial PCs (Panel PCs) are self-contained units that combine a computer, display, and sometimes touch screen in a single package. With minimal cabling required, and the optional touch screen interface, they are designed to be compact, easy to install, and user-friendly. Combining powerful processors and high-resolution displays into the one system, they are suitable for a wide range of industrial applications, including human-machine interface (HMI) applications, such as process control and machine automation. Some of the benefits of Panel PCs include:

• Space-saving: Combining the computer and display into a single unit means that they take up less space, and require minimal cabling.
• Easy to use: The optional touch screen interface, and reduced setup required, makes them user-friendly and means that they can be operated without a keyboard and mouse.
• Rugged and durable: Panel PCs are built to withstand harsh environments, with ruggedised housings that protect them from dust, water, shock and vibration. Combining all components into the one housing, also reduces the number of vulnerable points in the system where outside contaminates might cause problems.
• Reduced Cost: Combining all components into the one system also reduces the cost and maintenance when compared to the cost of buying a separate computer and monitor.

Example of an embedded box pc being used in an industrial environment

Embedded box computers are computer systems that are housed in a ruggedised enclosure designed for use in harsh environments. They are designed to be flexible and customisable, with a modular design that allows users to add or replace components as needed. They often also have extra expansion options, allowing users to add additional components or peripherals as needed. They are often used for applications that require high processing power, such as machine vision, data acquisition, and control systems. When combined with an industrial monitor, they provide the same complete computing system as a Panel PC, while still providing greater flexibility and customisation. Some benefits of embedded box computers and industrial monitors include:

• Customisable: Embedded box PCs are highly customisable, with options for expansion and add-on cards. Having a separate computer and monitor also provides added flexibility when choosing such things as processors and screen size.
• High processing power: Embedded box PCs can be configured with high-performance CPUs and graphics cards depending on your application.
• Easy to maintain: The modular design of embedded box PCs makes it easy to maintain and upgrade components, without having to replace the entire system. Also, if there is a fault with either the PC or the monitor separately, the replacement costs can be reduced.  

Interworld Electronics’ Panel PC Solutions

Interworld Electronics’ wide range of Panel PCs are feature laden; with a range of screen sizes, processors, and memory; with optional wide temperature support, multi-touch capability, IP-rated enclosures, and sunlight readable screens; and with the ability to add additional peripheral support, such as USB, Serial, Wi-Fi and 4G. The range of Panel PCs includes:

• Fanless Panel PCs: Ideal for panel mounting, they are specifically designed for monitoring and process control applications, and provide a reliable solution in dusty industrial environments. Popular models include the ARCHMI series & HELIO series.
• Stainless Steel Panel PCs: Designed for a wide variety of industrial applications where hygiene is an essential priority, including food and beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The popular ViTAM series & PhanTAM series are both fully sealed providing IP66/69K water and dust protection.

Interworld Electronics’ Embedded Box PC & Industrial Monitor Solutions

Engineered for longevity and resilience, the range of Embedded Box PCs from Interworld Electronics are durable, reliable, low-maintenance and highly scalable, making them ideal for extreme environments. They have a wide range of customisable options, and include the following features: fanless operation, compact size, low power requirements, high vibration/shock protection, wide operating temperature range, and certified embedded OS support.

Interworld Electronics also has a wide range of rugged industrial monitors that can be paired with the Embedded Box PC to form a complete computer system. Interworld Electronics industrial monitors come in a range of sizes (7”~24”), and have a range of features similar to those found in Panel PCs. The range of industrial monitors includes, fully sealed monitors, stainless steel monitors, sunlight readable monitors, panel mount monitors, and marine monitors.

With such a wide range of industrial computers, Interworld Electronics has the right solution for your industrial application. If you’re still not sure which one is right for you, feel free to contact us to get a free consultation, so that we can find the right solution for you.

What is an Industrial PC?

An industrial computer is a robust computer designed to be used in an industrial environment, often for applications like the manufacturing of goods, building automation, and logistics centers. An industrial computer typically has the following characteristics:

• Fanless and ventless design

• Ability to withstand harsh environments

• Highly configurable

• Extensive I/O options 

• Long lifecycle

With the incredible growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), and with more and more connected devices being installed in remote and inhospitable environments, reliable hardware is becoming increasingly important. An IT failure could have a direct and substantial impact on a company’s bottom line. With so much at stake, you need robust hardware. Industrial PCs are designed to be different from the average consumer PC, resulting in a reliable solution that is specially suited for harsh environments. 

Features of an industrial PC

Fanless design

Off-the-shelf commercial PCs are typically cooled with internal fans which are the most common failure point in computers. When a fan draws in air, it also draws in contaminants like dust and dirt which can accumulate and cause thermal issues that can result in system throttling or hardware failure. 

OnLogic industrial PCs, however, use a proprietary heatsink design that passively pulls heat away from the motherboard and other sensitive internal components into the chassis where it can be dissipated into the surrounding air. 

This is especially important in harsh environments that are subject to dust, debris, or other airborne particulates. Check out our whitepaper on the benefits of fanless computing for more information on fanless systems and how they operate. 

Industrial grade components 

Industrial PCs feature industrial grade components that are engineered for high reliability, with the goal of providing maximum uptime. Industrial grade components are designed to run 24/7, even in harsh environments where a consumer desktop PC could be damaged, or even destroyed.

Highly configurable

Industrial PCs can perform many different types of tasks including factory automation, remote data collection, and surveillance. OnLogic’s systems are highly configurable to suit your individual project needs. In addition to reliable hardware, we can provide OEM services such as custom branding, imaging, and BIOS customization. Check out our customer story on Singlewire® to see how they found success with our services. 

Superior design/performance

Industrial computers are engineered to endure harsh environments. These environments can include wider operating temperature ranges and airborne particulates. OnLogic industrial PCs are designed to run 24/7 to meet the demands of unique applications. 

We have an extensive portfolio of hardware from industrial fanless to our rugged computers, which offer even more protection in environments with wide operating temperature ranges as well as resistance to impact forces/vibration. Check out this article for more information about the difference between industrial and rugged computers. 

Extensive I/O options and additional functionality 

To effectively communicate with devices such as sensors, PLCs, and legacy equipment, industrial PCs come with extensive I/O options and additional functionality. Industrial PCs help eliminate the need for adapters or dongles because they offer the I/O feature set intended for applications outside of a traditional office environment. 

At OnLogic, our solutions are designed to be redesigned. You can customize systems to suit your specific application needs with features like 4G LTE modems, hot-swap drives, CAN Bus, GPUs, and other application-specific I/O like COM or DIO.

Long lifecycle 

Along with industrial PCs having higher reliability and more uptime, they also have an embedded lifecycle for long term availability. Industrial PCs allow businesses to standardize on a computer without any major hardware changes for up to five years. A long lifecycle means you can rest easy knowing your application is supported and available for years to come. 

Using the most current chip architecture is one of the best ways to ensure a long lifecycle. OnLogic works closely with the chip manufacturers such as Intel and AMD to ensure we can offer our customers the latest architecture and technology advances.

Check out our Helix Series which offers many options including HX500, HX600, HX610, and the newer HX401 and HX511.

What is the best industrial PC?

The ideal industrial computer for your application will vary depending on factors such as performance benchmarks, available power source, and the environment it’s being deployed in. Is your operating environment dusty? Does it feature an extreme operating temperature? 

Once you know your requirements, you can narrow down what kind of industrial fanless PC would best suit your needs. You can also read more about how to choose the best industrial computer on our blog.

Your OnLogic solution

Industrial PCs are engineered from the ground up with the features necessary to survive in the type of industrial automation environments that might destroy off-the-shelf computers. In short, they are designed to bring value to your organization no matter where you need powerful computing capabilities. 

If you’re looking for a long lifecycle solution with plenty of I/O options or have questions about how to best prevent damage from environmental factors, contact a Hardware Solutions Specialist today!

Note: This blog was originally posted on January 8th, 2021. It was updated for content on September 26th, 2023.