Considerations Steps When Choosing an Industrial Panel PC
Life, especially in the field of technology, usually presents a host of choices. There is no single item in the world that can claim a monopoly, notably in the manufacturing and production of items. When it comes to panel PCs for industrial uses, the options are endless. It is only worth noting this is a benefit for people who want to meet various needs in this sector.
Ideally, industrial PCs work to meet a myriad of needs and requirements. This may span from exposures to dust, moisture, undesired temperature, vibration, and shock. Not only has that, but an impeccable panel PC delivered a myriad of other aspects in the processing, connectivity, and mounting alternatives. All of these should best suit any available human-machine interface, and industrial control application, or automation.
But since there are many providers of these devices, no doubt, settling on the best choice can be challenging. Many are the manufacturers who claim their PCs are the best in meeting varied needs. And while it is true that most of them usually come to realize this demanding need, others are only there to frustrate users. For this reason, it is highly advisable that one buys panel PCs from reputed brands, especially whenever there is a bulk need.
All said, what about the considerations to look out for whenever one is buying a panel PC for industrial purposes? Everything and every decision people make in life, many at times, reflect personal needs. Even better, when choosing these devices, personal reflections and needs will come a long way to define the final decision. Alongside that, some standard considerations should influence this step no matter what. Some of them include but are not limited to, the following.
Fanless PC Or?
Whenever a user is contemplating to use these devices under conditions marred with dust and debris, then a fanless PC will be an excellent option. Everyone may know that this standard device will keep any airborne component that could otherwise lead to performance degradation. Like any other device, outside elements like dust in the internal casing can bring long-term demand for expensive maintenance needs.
That is not the only issue; the fan itself is one of the complex components of any computer device. Often, the fan is most likely to develop a complication more than any other computer part. So it makes perfect sense to go for a panel PC without a fan to eliminate this hassle. Going this route will see a user gain in the end by saving money and time.
Captive or Resistive Touchscreen
The mode of operating these PCs is also crucial. Usually, panel PCs come into two different touchscreen varieties, resistive and capacitive. The biggest difference comes into how these machines detect input. Just like most smartphones people use for everyday life, capacitive touchscreens utilize the human body’s electrical field for input. Meaning for circumstances that need highly accurate touch sensing, these are excellent alternatives.
Resistive screens are the ones that require physical pressure for input and transmission of touch data. These alternatives stand out to be useful in vast industrial application needs since users can operate them wearing gloves. Whenever a tactile interface is required, either in healthcare or automation industries, they deliver the best results as required.
Mounting Location
The popular three words, “location, location, location,” still apply even when selecting the perfect panel PC for the desired job. The options of mounting are vast, and going for a pc that will meet the environment and condition at that time will be an excellent idea. Whether the machine will be mounted on the wall, will be affixed to a stand, or will be within another enclosure will be top considerations to check on before purchase.
Therefore, going for a pc embedded in a larger device or any enclosure narrows down to the ideal choice a buyer will go for. Here, it is necessary to check on issues like the panel PC’s dimension to avoid that frustrating installation delays. If the PC were to be mounted anywhere, the buyer would want to look into concerns far from dimensions like VESA compatibility of the monitor’s mounting requirements. No doubt, the design and size of the machine will influence the general mounting types.
IP Rating is Crucial
Ingress Protection is also a crucial consideration a buyer will want to consider at all costs. While at first, it may seem so unnecessary, the truth is that it will influence the whole process at some point. This is especially true whenever one is planning to use the device under extreme conditions. The IP rating indicates the level of effectiveness of a panel PC’s enclosure at dealing with ingress from liquids and solids.
The first digit on an IP is the enclosure’s power to stop solids such as dust and debris. And the highest rating ever is 6. The other digit also relates to the machine’s ability to seal out liquids, and the highest rating is 8.
The Size of the PC
The size of a PC usually matters all the time regardless of its designated place of application. The best part of it all is that Panel Pcs come in various sizes to meet any desired need. In contrast, some factors may limit someone’s choice, like whether it will be mounted or anything between weights, going for a machine that meets the required display is an excellent move. The PC’s size will undoubtedly influence the resolution of the display and the clarity and magnification of the images.
Will it Be Used in Direct Sunlight?
It is just basic physics and chemistry that direct sunlight exposure on any device’s screen will impair clarity. Part of this is because no device, even to the most modern available today, can meet enough light emission to that of the sun. If they do, then the effects of too much light are eminent. If someone is looking for a pc that they will use under direct sunlight, going for a high brightness screen with special filters to reduce glare complications will be a vital consideration.