An
industrial PC is an x86 PC-based computing platform for industrial applications.
History
IBM released the 5531 Industrial Computer in 1984,
arguably the first "industrial PC". The IBM 7531, an industrial version of the IBM AT PC was released May 21, 1985. Industrial Computer Source first offered the 6531 Industrial Computer
in 1985. This was a proprietary 4U rackmount industrial computer based on a clone IBM PC motherboard.
Applications
Industrial PCs are primarily used for process control and/or data
acquisition. In some cases, an industrial PC is simply used as a
front-end to another control computer in a distributed processing environment. Software can be custom written for a particular application or an off-the-shelf package such as
TwinCAT, Wonder Ware, Labtech Notebook or LabView
can be used to provide a base level of programming. Analog Devices got
exclusive sales for OEM european industrial market and provided MACSYM
120 combined IBM 5531 and MACBASIC a multitaskink basic running on C/CPM
from Digital Research. Analog and digital I/O cards plugged inside PC
and/or extension rack made MAC120 as one of the most powerful and easy
to use controller for plant applications at this date. An application
may simply require the I/O such as the
serial port offered by the motherboard. In other cases,
expansion cards
are installed to provide analog and digital I/O, specific machine
interface, expanded communications ports, and so forth, as required by
the application.
Industrial PCs offer different features than consumer PCs in terms of
reliability, compatibility, expansion options and long-term supply.
Industrial PCs are typically characterized by being manufactured in
lower volumes than home or office PCs. A common category of industrial
PC is the
19-inch rackmount form factor. Industrial PCs typically cost considerably more than comparable office style computers with similar performance.
Single-board computers and
backplanes are used primarily in Industrial PC systems. However, the majority of industrial PCs are manufactured with
COTS motherboards.
A subset of industrial PCs is the
Panel PC
where a display, typically an LCD, is incorporated into the same
enclosure as the motherboard and other electronics. These are typically
panel mounted and often incorporate touch screens for user interaction.
They are offered in low cost versions with no environmental sealing,
heavier duty models sealed to
IP67 standards to be waterproof at the front panel and including models which are
explosion proof for installation into hazardous environments.
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Construction and features
Virtually all industrial PCs share an underlying design philosophy of
providing a controlled environment for the installed electronics to
survive the rigors of the plant floor. The electronic components
themselves may be selected for their ability to withstand higher and
lower operating temperatures than typical commercial components.
- Heavier metal construction as compared to the typical office non-rugged computer
- Enclosure form factor that includes provision for mounting into the
surrounding environment (19" rack, wall mount, panel mount, etc.)
- Additional cooling with air filtering
- Alternative cooling methods such as forced air, liquid, and conduction
- Expansion card retention and support
- Enhanced EMI filtering and gasketing
- Enhanced environmental protection such as dust proof, water spray or immersion proof, etc.
- Sealed MIL-SPEC or Circular-MIL connectors
- More robust controls and features
- Higher grade power supply
- Controlled access to the controls through the use of locking doors
- Controlled access to the I/O through the use of access covers
- Inclusion of a watchdog timer to reset the system automatically in case of software lock-up