Design and Features of Modern Industrial PCs
The requirements for industrial PCs are subject to constant change – just like the industry itself. PC components are also evolving continuously. Experience shows that we can expect ever more performance in increasingly compact form factors.
This has consequences for the design of industrially used PCs as well. While their components were often housed in large 19" rack enclosures just a few years ago, today they frequently fit into much smaller chassis.
The so-called "embedded PC" or "embedded server" is typically characterised by its compact, fanless design. A heat sink made of lightweight yet highly thermally conductive aluminium passively dissipates the heat primarily generated by the CPU to the surrounding environment. The otherwise standard active cooling by means of fans is thus obsolete in this type of industrial PC.
The advantages of this design:
- No airflow through the enclosure, resulting in significantly lower susceptibility to dust.
- Lower power consumption.
- Fans – comparatively maintenance-intensive components – are eliminated entirely.
- No more noise emissions.
Energy-Efficient CPU
Embedded PCs mostly employ energy-efficient notebook CPUs. These consume less power at comparable performance levels, which in notebooks extends battery life and also reduces heat generation. Installed in industrial PCs, these CPUs offer the same benefits: less power means less heat to dissipate.
The lower power consumption is also a cost (and environmental) argument for PCs that frequently operate 24/7 in industrial settings.
Extended Temperature Range
Industrial PCs are often exposed to significant fluctuations in ambient temperature. Therefore, devices are available that can be reliably operated at temperatures ranging from −40°C to +70°C.
Wide-Range Power Input
Industrial PCs are not only installed in conventional control cabinets but are also deployed outdoors without mains power supply as well as in mobile vehicles (trains, trucks, cars). Operating voltages of 12V or 24V are required here, or even the ability to tolerate fluctuating voltages. For this purpose, many embedded PCs feature a wide-range power input of e.g. 8V to 35V.
Power-On Delay
In mobile applications, a power-on delay is usually also required (switch-on delay, ignition control). The industrial computer powers on with a time delay after engine start to ensure a stable input voltage.
Shock Resistance
The resistance of industrial PCs to impacts and vibrations – known as shock resistance – is required particularly in mobile applications. The design of industrial vehicle PCs (car PCs), for example, meets this requirement.
Interfaces
One of the essential criteria when selecting a suitable embedded PC is the device’s interface configuration. Depending on the application, the devices feature well-known standard interfaces such as video out, USB, and Ethernet. In addition, depending on the field of application, further specialised interfaces are often included, such as PoE Ethernet, digital I/O, CAN bus and many more. Moreover, interface cards can typically be retrofitted via PCI or (mini) PCIe slots.
Certifications
In addition to the required standard certifications, such as CE marking and compliance with the RoHS directive, application-specific industrial computers (vehicle PCs, train PCs) can also be supplied with E-Mark and EN 50155 certifications. Some devices also hold military and medical technology certifications.