SWITCHES, DISPLAYS & UIs
A Practical Guide to Selecting an Industrial Panel PC
Industrial panel PCs are industrial computers designed for harsh industrial environments that integrate high-resolution touch display and computing power.
T
he 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 technology have expanded their use to applications in data collection, process visualisation, machine monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Nine Critical Considerations in An Industrial Panel PC
Screen Size: The choice of screen size and resolution depends on the display content and its complexity. Content can range from simple information, such as messages, system alerts or graphics, to complex multimedia or software-specific display requirements. Touch Type: Resistive panels use fingertip pressure to control input and can be used with gloves on. Capacitive panels sense input through human finger current and support multi-touch, so they can perform zooming, dragging and other actions. Display Brightness: The installation location is the key to display brightness. The brightness of an LCD backlight used indoors is about 200-300 nits, while outdoors is much higher, about 500-1500 nits. Processor Efficiency: With the rise of smart factories, HMIs are being used to support more functions and smart applications that require high-performance computing.
Still, some panel PCs will continue to serve as simple information display terminals, so they only need processors with general performance, low power consumption and reasonable cost. Fans or Fanless: A dusty environment in a factory can easily hinder a fan’s performance, impacting overall system stability, so choosing a sealed fanless panel PC avoids this problem. IP Rating: The IP rating consists of two numbers. The first number (up to six) indicates the system’s level of protection against dust and solid foreign matter
ingress, while the second number (up to eight) shows the level of protection against water or liquid. The appropriate IP rating of the industrial panel PC depends on requirements of the application environment. Rugged Design: An industrial panel PC needs a rugged design with a high-hardness, scratch-resistant glass display, a wide operating temperature range and resistance to vibration and shock. Additionally, it requires hardware with strong protection to ensure electromagnetic compatibility with other system devices. Expandability: A general industrial panel PC offers various expansion options such as M.2 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: A panel mount or open frame is ideal for installing the panel PC on a control cabinet door or integrating it as part of a machine. A standard 75/100mm VESA mount supports installing the panel PC on a cantilever or wall. Rack mounts are the sensible choice and can be used with accessories like rack mount baffles or metal frames.
OCTOBER 2024 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS 47
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