The industry is becoming more complex than ever. Machines conduct countless numbers of operations every day. Businesses in today’s market demand more reliable and efficient pieces of machinery to run their everyday applications. One convenient approach is utilizing the advanced technologies of all-in-one panel PCs. It should be well-known that industrial applications require industrial-grade technologies. However, the true performance and knowledge of the role of these machines have not expanded far enough. Industrial applications are generally more advanced today compared to the past. Demands in more efficient and productive computers are on a rise. This means that regular retail PC’s, in order to keep up with current demands, need to adapt and evolve to the harsh industrial environment.

Manufacturing industries like Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Original Design Manufacturers (ODM) need to utilize and take advantage of Industrial all-in-one panel PCs for applications that can save time and money. This article aids users to decide which kind of panel PC is right for the job and why all-in-one (AIO) industrial grade qualities are better than commercial PCs.

Comparing Industrial AIO and Commercial Computers

Choosing for Smarter Investment

The first concern that usually comes up is usually about the cost. Investing in expensive panel PCs is not an ideal start for most buyers. It is true that purchasing commercial panel computers from companies like Dell will be less than industrial-grade systems. However, it is important to look at the differences between systems that cost less and systems that are cost-effective. Industrial grade computers demand a little more expensive from the start but it pays off well in the future. Retail panel PCs can save consumers money from the start, but without proper industrial-grade protections that are necessary for demanding applications; these computers are only to be set up for failure. This forces businesses to spend a great deal of money for maintenance, and costly software updates. Utilizing industrial panel PCs are more reliable and ideal for long term use. They decrease the risks of system malfunctions and ultimately save you more time and money.

The Difference is in the Construction

The main difference between the two is the construction of the entire system. Touch panel computers are supposed to make applications easier for more demanding tasks like processing and managing multiple amounts of data without the need for keyboards and mouse consoles. However, what good is the system if they are only suitable for comfortable office environments? The many applications of the industries today require computers to be in harsh environments of power plants, food processing factories, military operations, and transportation to building automation. The environments listed above can severely damage valuable embedded computers that have a role to run productions. The reasons why industrial-grade computers are becoming more and more popular is due to the fact that they are ideally built for harsh industrial operations and tolerant to harmful chemicals and dust particles present in these environments whether it is for outdoor or indoor applications.

Acnodes Corp. provides state-of-the-art industrial panel PCs with an ideal ingress protection. High levels of ingress protection for industrial computers meet the standards of operating reliably and efficiently for harsh environments. This level of protection offers a shield for panel PCs from dust and liquids that can ultimately damage the system. A successful computer has the ability to adapt to its environment. For example, Acnodes offer industrial stainless steel panel PC’s for distinct tasks. Stainless steel computers are ideal for conditions that generally have a lot of chemicals and water, mostly seen in food processing plants. The benefit of using stainless steel construction is non-porous and non-corrosive in nature. Because it is waterproof, it allows for complete washes and easy maintenance.

For a more convenient experience, AIO industrial panel PCs create smoother operations with durable touch screen technology without the need for keyboard and mouse consoles that ultimately take up valuable space. Industrial AIOs offer rich input and output connectivity. Not only does this eliminate the need for excess wires, but the size of the system is dramatically reduced. Touch screen panels are meant to function for controlling applications more conveniently. Commercial computer screens do not meet the standards of industrialized strength protections. AIO touch screens are built for harsh environments while it protects the system from scratches, chemical spills, water sprays, and dust. Acnodes Corp. offers industrial projective capacitive and 5-wire resistive type touch screens as options.

Another common obstacle for retail computers is their vulnerability to harsh environments and abnormal temperatures, humidity, and dust from going into their systems. Industrial AIO panel PCs can operate in environments with wide-ranging temperatures. Military-grade constructions can even operate in -20 to 60 degrees Celsius and meet high levels of shock and vibration standards.

Internal Differences

Most commercial and retail computers utilize fans to cool down a system. Although this may not be a problem in comfortable office environments, it is certainly not ideal for industrial applications. Industrial environments involve a lot of dust, wide temperature fluctuations, shocks, and random vibrations. In these conditions, computers should not have any internal moving parts in the system. Most retail computers depend on just a fan for cooling. Not only does a fan attract dust but if it fails for whatever technical reason due to environmental causes, the whole system will overheat. Companies that run mass production factories need powerful CPUs to manage important data. These powerful CPUs like the 4th generation Haswell Dual-Core generates a lot of heat. Over-heating is one of the main causes of computer malfunctions and ultimately stopping production. Large manufactures and companies cannot afford unnecessary system failures that will lead them to costly maintenance bills. Industrial systems combat this problem by utilizing a fanless system to dissipate heat through the solution of heatsink technology.  The results deliver a noiseless system and run more productive and energy-efficient applications.