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Choosing a machine Cheap mini PCs are also compact, some even fanless. Can they replace industrial computers in a workshop? In some cases, yes, but you should know exactly what you are trading off.
Acceptable when: the machine sits in an air-conditioned control room without vibratio… Choosing a machine How does an industrial computer differ from an office PC, given it costs several times more? The CPU may be the same, but an industrial machine is designed to run continuously for years where an office PC would not survive. The differences lie in six ar… Quotes & delivery Our project buys machines in several batches over a few years, and later batches must be identical to earlier ones. How do we ensu… This is where industrial machines differ sharply from commercial PCs: commercial PCs change internal parts constantly under the same model name, while industria… Quotes & delivery How long does it usually take to receive industrial computers after ordering? How do we avoid project delays? Lead time varies by model and by period, so it can only be confirmed in a specific quotation. Generally there are three cases:
1. Models in local stock: the fa… Quotes & delivery We need a quotation for industrial computers for a project. What information should we send for a fast, accurate quote? A quote is fast and accurate when the configuration is clearly fixed from the start. Send:
1. The model if already chosen, with the full order code. One produc… Warranty We are not sure which of thousands of models to choose. Can we get configuration advice before buying? Yes. Most customers do not need to read thousands of datasheets, just describe the problem accurately.
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1. Selec… Warranty A machine has a fault and we need engineering support. What information should we prepare to get it resolved quickly? Most troubleshooting time is lost going back and forth over information. Preparing the following shortens it considerably:
1. The full model name (model and or… Warranty We want to add RAM and fit a larger SSD ourselves. Does opening the machine void the warranty? It depends on the vendor and product line, so ask before opening.
Many industrial machines have a dedicated service cover for RAM, SSD and 4G modules, and vend… Software & OS Our machine control software only runs on Windows 7 or XP, and the old PC has failed. Can a current industrial computer run Window… Most current machines cannot install Windows 7, let alone XP. Intel CPUs from roughly the 7th generation onwards have no official Windows 7 drivers, and new boa… Software & OS After reinstalling Windows, our software can no longer control the DIO and watchdog. Where do we get drivers and the SDK, and how … DIO, watchdog, status LEDs and temperature sensors on industrial machines do not use generic Windows drivers. They need the vendor's own driver package and libr… Software & OS We want to install Ubuntu on an industrial computer. After installation, COM, DIO and the watchdog do not work. What should we do? Common components such as the CPU, Intel network controllers, USB and SSD usually work out of the box on a recent Ubuntu LTS. What is often missing is vendor-sp… Software & OS What is Windows 10/11 IoT Enterprise LTSC? Should industrial computers use it instead of Windows Pro? Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC is the Windows edition for fixed-purpose devices, with three differences from Windows Pro that matter in a plant.
1. Long support: … Choosing a machine We have seen modular Panel PCs where the display and the computer are two separate modules joined together. What advantage does th… A modular Panel PC consists of a display module (touch, sealed front) and a computer module mounted behind it, joined through a dedicated connector. For example… Choosing a machine Panel PCs range from 7 to 24 inches, in 4:3 and 16:9. How do we pick the size and aspect ratio? Start from the software interface, not from the screen size.
Aspect ratio:
1. Legacy HMI screens designed for 4:3 or 5:4 (resolutions such as 1024×768 or 1280×… Choosing a machine How do IP65, IP66, IP67 and IP69K differ? Can a Panel PC rated IP65 at the front be hosed down? An IP code has two digits under IEC 60529. The first is dust protection, where 6 means fully dust-tight. The second is water protection:
5: withstands water je… Choosing a machine Panel PCs come with projected capacitive (PCAP) or resistive touch. Which suits a workshop? Capacitive touch (PCAP): hard glass surface, light touch, multi-touch (swipe, zoom), more resistant to scratches and cleaning chemicals. Drawbacks: water on the… Choosing a machine Our Panel PC will be outdoors in direct sunlight. How many nits does the display need to be readable? Outdoors in sunlight, choose a display of 1000 nits or more. A typical indoor screen is only about 250–400 nits and is barely readable in sun.
Brightness is no… Power supply Our industrial computer runs on DC but the site only has 220 VAC. Should we use the supplied adapter or a DIN-rail power supply? Both work; choose by where the machine sits.
External adapter (brick type): fine for desks, clean control rooms and trial machines. The downsides: it is easy t… Choosing a machine The datasheet lists 5 Grms vibration and 50 G shock per MIL-STD-810. What do these numbers mean, and how do we compare machines? Vibration is stated in Grms: the effective acceleration of random vibration over a frequency band, often 5–500 Hz. Higher means stronger vibration tolerance. Sh… Installation The industrial computer has a ground screw on the housing. Is connecting it mandatory, and how is it done correctly? Yes, connect it. The chassis ground lets noise and surges drain to earth instead of passing through the board, and it improves electrical safety for operators.
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