Category: Industrial Computers

Flat Panel PCs

Michelle

Flat Panel PCs for Industrial Applications

A flat panel PC uses a thin panel design and is lightweight allowing more portability than monitors. Tangent’s line of Industrial Flat Panel PCs are built with rugged components allowing heavy duty applications capable of withstanding harsh environments.

Built with reliability in mind, our industrial flat panel PCs come fanless for use in dusty environments. Many of our flat panel PCs are IP64, IP65, IP66, or IP69K sealed for waterproof, dustproof, shock  and vibration proof.

Our reliable flat panel PCs are capable of operating in up to 140 degrees.

Backed by our three and a half year warranty, you can rest assured that our Flat Panel PCs will operate reliably and are dependable.

Offering nine flat panel PCs, we have the flat panel PC you need for your industry specifications. Our flat panel PCs feature all-in-one touchscreens and are customizable with large I/O expansion to meet industrial standards.

f15F15

The F15 for example. This flat panel PC comes standard with a forklift mount, resistive touch, MIL-STD-810F, four RS232 & four USB ports, camera, 3G, GPS, RFID. Everything you need for your warehouse or factory. With programmable buttons, the F15 permits for one-handed operation while operating a forklift.

sS Series

Our S Series Flat Panel PC is IP66 and IP69K fully waterproof. It has a stainless steel housing offering a corrosion resistant surface. Our S Series is ideal for factories, wet environments such as car washes, and in-vehicle applications.

panels

For Tangent’s full list of flat panel PCs, complete with specifications, take a look at our Industrial Flat Panel PC page. Here you will be able to find your industry specific flat panel PC: Tangent’s Flat Panel PCs

Mini PCs for Industrial Use

Michelle

f15Mini PCs for Industrial Use

When deciding whether to buy a Mini PC, you may feel some hesitancy comparing it to a full size PC. Although the size may be attractive, there may be some questions in your mind about what their capabilities are.  You may be surprised to learn about their versatility and wide range of power and capacities Tangent’s Mini PCs have.

With fifteen Mini Pcs (and more to come) to choose from, our Mini PCs can be utilized in a wide variety of industries and applications. Our Rugged E3 Mini PC is able to withstand temperatures of -13 degrees up to 185 degrees. This Mini PC is fanless and provides noise-free operation. Rated for shock & vibration,, designed with removable drive bays and RAID support, the Rugged E3 is an ideal Mini PC for video surveillance and video capture POE. The TPM and watchdog timer enhance functionality.

RUGGED E3Rugged E3

 

Our Rugged S is slightly larger than a standard pencil. It meets medical grade UL60601-1 requirements and is ideal for healthcare or industrial applications. With optional multiple ISO ports, the Rugged S can be configured to meet the needs of critical care environments. The Rugged S is fanless and provides noise-free operation. It also comes with an Available Full PCIe Slot which can be configured with optional 4KV isolated card for high voltage insulation, making this model ideal for healthcare environments.

rugged-mini-s Rugged S

At 1.53 pounds and dimensions of 4.57″ x 4.33″ x 1.93″, our Rugged Q is lightweight and has an ultra mini form factor. This desirable computer is easy to mount and install in a variety of environments. With a wide input power of 9 to 24V DC and VESA 75/100 Mounting, wall mounting brackets and DIN rail mounting this Mini PC offers versatile connectivity and mounting options. Standard with two LANs, one RS232, four USB ports, and two HDMI connectivity is not an issue for this Mini PC.

rugged-qRugged Q

Our complete line of Rugged Mini PC’s can be used for in-vehicle, defense, factories, mills and healthcare applications. They can also be mounted on mobile carts, used for surveillance  and for digital signage. Tangent’s Mini PCs are capable of performing similar to their larger counterparts, at times even surpassing larger PCs. Our available Mini PCs our designed to meet your industry needs. The question is not if they have have the power to perform. The question is which Mini PC best suits your specific needs.

The Difference Between a Thin Client and a Thick Client

Michelle

The Difference Between a Thin Client and a Thick Client

Of all the jargon the tech world usually has for its computers and components, the name of thin and thick clients probably elicits the most accurate image of what they really are. A thin client  offers a bare bones, simplified approach to computing, in which the client system has no hard drive, moving parts, or locally installed applications. How is this possible? Quite easily actually! Thin clients are designed to connect remotely into a separate server or data center that does all the work in a virtual environment. Conversely, thick client PCs are full featured computers with all the standard hardware and locally installed operating system and applications. All the computing is done there on the workstation.

 

What’s the point of having a computing console that can’t operate autonomously? For one, security plays a huge role. All the data that is interacted with on the thin client is stored on the remote server. So if the computer were to crash or get stolen, there’s no threat of losing valuable or private information. Having your data and applications in the one location means that only the main server or server farm needs to be secured, rather than installing security software on every computer in the organization. These clients can do much of the same work that thick clients can, but with greater savings in space and cost. Thin clients excel in being easy to set up, easy for end users to utilize, and easy to administrate. In an office environment where users work with the same applications and processes daily, it’s an elegant solution.

thin-client-Z600-fanless

Tangent offers three thin clients to meet a great variety of needs. First is the sleek and impressive looking Z600. This computer is seamlessly built into the base of a 21” LED Backlit LCD display. It doesn’t look like a thin client is present at all on this lightweight machine! The slim LCD has full HD 1080p for an enhanced viewing experience, and a fanless operation means the system provides a very silent working environment. The client has four USB 2.0 ports, audio jack, and an ethernet port. For an added measure of security, a Kensington lock is affixed to the back of the monitor. The low wattage CPU promotes efficient energy consumption without compromising on performance. 

z400-performance-end-client

The Z400 thin client offers support for dual monitors, making it perfect for users that need to multitask. The diminutive machine can be mounted vertically or horizontally and is a featherweight at 0.8lbs. The TI ARM CPU provides a high performance experience while still maintaining energy-saving value. Like Tangent’s other thin clients, the fanless design boasts reliability and noise-free operation. The  Z400 has four USB 2.0 ports, two DVI (digital video interface) ports, an ethernet port, and audio jack.

z400-performance-end-client Thin-Client-160-mainfront

The Thin Client 160 is a compact, but mighty product in this line. It’s also quite a versatile one with options for wireless networking and VESA-compliant mounting, along with the durable and fanless construction that Tangent is known for. The client provides a DVI (digital video interface) port and a VGA adapter for optimal display experience on high resolution displays. The Thin Client 160 also has four USB 2.0 ports,  and audio ports for line-in/mic and line-out/headset. The powerful and energy-efficient VIA 1GHz x86 processor will ensure that all remote client functions can be handled with ease.

The Rising importance of the Industrial Panel PC and Applications

Michelle

The Rising importance of the Industrial Panel PC and Applications

Few inventions have had as much impact on manufacturing environments around the world as the Industrial panel PC and related applications. These robust computers have evolved into a vital component for every industrial environment.

While the design of home computers is increasingly rigid, there is still little to compare a traditional computer to an Industrial Panel PC. In fact, the industrial computer is designed specifically for harsh environments in which a standard computer would be unable to withstand, and the software is something which requires a lot less attention regarding updates or maintenance.

Features and benefits and applications of an Industrial Panel PC

s22 S22 , THREE MONITOR CAPACITY

Tangent’s S22 Industrial Computer is an excellent example of the capacities of Industrial Panel PCs. The S22 Industrial computer is fanless, waterproof, shock proof and capable of operating in temperatures up to 104°F (0° to 40° C). Although the fanless nature of this particular model is common, the temperature capacity is not something found in all Industrial PCs. In fact, it must be noted that variations exist in Industrial computers, with each one equally powerful yet tailoring to a very specific environment.

For example, Tangent’s high tech F15 Industrial Computer incorporates an Intel 3rd Gen Core i3/i7 processor and this resilient machine is fitted with a forklift mount.

Simply put, these purpose-built Industrial computers are specifically engineered with the rigors of tough machinery for applications such as a plant floor and other corporate, industrial and healthcare applications.

Consisting of a programmable logic controller (PLC), these applications can automate the production process and at the very least monitor this process by retrieving and calculating relevant data.

Along with offering an endless line of control and automation applications, Industrial Panel PCs also provide a seamless way to connect the corporate office with what is happening in the production environment.

The Industrial Panel PC: Take Home

f15

When you consider the overall value of these machines and processes, the rising importance of the Industrial Panel PC and applications is rather obvious. Many of these models such as the F15 Industrial Computer are extremely compact (15”) which have a streamlining effect and helps to minimize unnecessary interference in the industrial workplace.

Tangent is a leading provider of Industrial Panel PCs and also a reliable resource to provide training and extensive support to assists with every aspect of the implementation process.

The Industrial Panel PC is now a necessity for healthcare, Industrial and corporate businesses to remain at the forefront of their respective industry, contact us today to find the right product for your workplace. 650-342-9388 or sales@tangent.com

Fanless Computers: Still Running Cool!

Michelle

Fanless Computers: Still running cool!

 

Making a computer with a single fan is good engineering, making them fanless is an art. TANGENT offers fanless computers which are reliable and robust to meet your demanding requirements of ruggedness and performance.

What are major problems with the fans that require us to build fanless computers?

  • Noise: Fans produce noise during normal operation. As the installed system becomes older, the fan becomes nosier. In some applications, noise above a certain level is unacceptable.
  • Maintenance: Fans suck in dirt and clog the filters. This requires frequent cleaning of filters. In certain embedded systems, access to the computer for maintenance is not feasible. Problem of choking of filters exacerbates if the computer in installed in a dusty environment.
  • Failure: A fan is a moving part, with an electric motor. This can fail, resulting in overheating of the computer and eventual system shutdown or even total system failure.

Fanless computer eliminates these problems completely. The computer becomes quieter, becomes more robust and requires less maintenance.

Why are fans required in computers anyway? Well, computers need a lot of processing power that requires high-performance components, especially the CPU. These components generate a lot of heat. If this heat is not removed rapidly and continuously, the system will over-heat and will eventually fail. Fans provide an easy and cheap way to remove this generated heat by blowing air across the hot components and out of the computer casing, keeping the temperature inside the computer within the acceptable limits.

However, the limitations of fans in a dusty environment are significant and in certain application, noise is a major issue. To minimize noise generated by fans and reduce heat generation, various techniques such as; variable and low-speed fans with efficient CPU heat sinks, logic to slow down or shutdown the CPU when not in active use are incorporated. However, the best way to remove the fan-related problems is to remove the fan altogether, replacing it with an alternate heat removal system.

A computer with a good performance is simple to build, but a fanless computer requires a good design. Heat load is carefully calculated and the heat removal system is designed to match the heat load in worst case operating conditions. A system of heatpipes is used to remove the unwanted heat out of the system.

Heatpipes are made of copper or copper alloy, capable of transferring a large amount of heat. Inside the heatpipe there is liquid under low pressure that boils into vapor when it absorbs heat. This vapor then condenses back into liquid at the cooler surfaces of the heatpipe and releases the heat. Heat is taken from the CPU by one end of the heatpipe, and transferred to the other end of the heatpipe in contact with a larger heat sink, which is the Aluminum casing of the computer system. This casing comes in contact with the ambient air and thus dissipates the heat in the air, thereby cooling the system.

TANGENT’s Fanless Rugged Mini PC line is designed with industrial and military grade components and specifications for reliable operation under a demanding environment which require reliable and noiseless operation.

Model Rugged S is specially designed for use in industrial and medical applications. It can be used in mobile medical carts, anesthesia module and display systems. It provides optional ISO ports to meet the needs of Critical Care environments.

Model Rugged S meets rugged design specifications and medical UL60601-1 certification. It comes with built-in watchdog timer for automatic re-start on a non-fatal system fault, optional 4k V Isolation card for patient protection, and an optional TPM for added security.

ruggeds MINI RUGGED S

TANGENTS’s newest model Rugged G is also a fanless computer, designed to handle 12, 19, or 24V DC system power input, a wide range of operating temperatures, and can be installed in a variety of industrial environments.

rUGGED-g-MINI-PC Rugged G

Rugged G’s fanless design is ideal for dusty factory floors and offers a lot of installations options for wall or DIN rail mounting. 4 COM ports, 6 USB ports, and a Digital I/O port, provide maximum connectivity from this rugged industrial Mini PC. Rugged G can operate in extreme operating temperature range of 14° to 131°F (-10° to – 55°C).

Industrial Computers: Solutions for Modern Factories and Workplaces

Michelle

Industrial Computers

Every part of our lives has started revolving around the need for computers and automation. The shift from an analogue way of life to an automated way of life has been quite sudden. Computing has become an integral part of industries, but the needs for the right hardware is most certainly different. It is due to the changing requirements and needs at the industrial level that escalated the need for industrial computers.

What are Industrial Computers?

Industrial Computers may have the same specifications of the PC that normal consumers use at home. The difference however is in the materials that are used in making these computers. For an industrial computer, the materials that go into making chips is made to be tougher, for it to withstand rough conditions like dust, high temperate, humidity, power surges, vibration, burglary, long operation hours and the list goes on.

How can Industrial Computers be useful today?

Computers are everywhere, the reason behind this is because our lives have started depending on computing to a much larger extent as compared to our dependency on them 10 or even 5 years ago. Imagine a situation where the main server of a bank goes down due to elevated temperature, the damage could be huge, not only to the organization but to that of the consumers as well. Industrial computers are designed to withstand hot temperatures with the help of heatsinks and ventilation.

Factories and heavy industries tend to use computers in conditions that a normal computer cannot withstand, therefore, having computers that can work flawlessly in tough situations would be the right pick for them. Industrial computers use stainless steel and conform with IP66 protection that keeps them safe against dust and water damage.

Industrial Computers are being used for operating and managing outdoor tasks, take a car parking booth, for instance. The parking booth is programmed to allow only members and people who pay for the parking ticket, therefore, the computer operating this should be secure enough to keep an unauthorized person from having access to the system. Similarly, outdoor conditions may also apply which includes rain, dust, dirt of all kind etc. Moreover, the booth must be connected to a ticketing machine and multiple sensors to ensure that only the authorized cars can pass.

A modern industrial computer, can cater for all the applications mentioned above. These computers come with protection against rough natural conditions. Adding on, these computers have multiple ports for them to be interfaced with multiple sub-systems. Moreover, the connectors, for instance, USB ports are covered with physical locks that help with keeping the security and integrity of the system intact.

Industrial VS Rugged Mini PCs

Michelle

Industrial vs Rugged Mini PCs:

What’s the difference?

Tangent Industrial PCs can be found in air, water and land vehicles such as trains, tanks, submarines, boats and emergency vehicles.

Tangent Rugged Mini PCs can also be found in the above-mentioned vehicles but are designed to go one step further in ensuring consistent performance and reliability in the most extreme conditions. Our Mini Rugged PCs can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -25°C and as hot as 70°C.

Where Tangent Industrial computers can be found with fans and vents, Tangent Rugged Mini PCs are entirely fanless and ventless ensuring performance in the harshest air quality scenarios with high dust concentrations, no movement parts ensure vibration and shock resistance and noise-free operation.

Top Features of Tangent Rugged Mini PCs

Michelle

Top Features of Tangent Rugged Mini PCs

With our line of over 10 Rugged Mini PCs and adjustable specifications, it’s no wonder why Tangent is the go-to provider for Rugged Mini PCs.

At Tangent, you can find the right Mini PC for your needs.

Below are some key features you can find in our lineup of Rugged Mini PCs.

Industrial Grade,
Medical Grade UL60601-1

Rugged Mini S meets rugged design specifications and medical grade, UL60601-1, requirements. Ideal for Healthcare or Industrial applications.

Multiple USB Ports

RUGGED E1

4 USB Ports

TANGENT E1

RUGGED E2

8 USB PORTS

rugged-mini-s

Extreme Temperature Range Operation

RUGGED E2

Environmental
Operating temp: -13° – 158°F (-25° – 70° C)
Storage temp: -22° – 185°F (-30° – 85° C)

rugged-mini-s
RUGGED 0

Temp Range
Operating temp: -4° – 140°F (-20° – 60° C)
Storage temp: -40° – 185°F (-40° – 85° C)

Rugged 0

Swappable Drive

RUGGED E3

Use the two removable drive bays to meet offsite
data retention and storage needs.

RUGGED E3

Wide Input Voltage Range

RUGGED E2

9 to 48V DC Power input range allows for integration into various environments.

rugged-mini-s

Multiple Connectivity

RUGGED MINI S

Plenty of ports to enhance use and functionality.

Input/Output Ports
2x USB 2.0
2x USB 3.0
6x Serial (Full PCIe model: 4x Serial)
1x DVI
2x RJ45
Audio Ports

rugged-mini-s

IP67 / IP69K

RUGGED O

Protected against ingress of dust and high-temperature, high-pressure water.

Rugged 0

 

For the full list of Tangent Rugged PCs, side-by-side comparisons of features and performance visit us at: https://www.tangent.com/industrial-computer/rugged-mini-pc/ or click HERE.

 

 

RUGGED MINI PCs: A BUYER’S GUIDE

Michelle

SELECTING THE RIGHT TANGENT RUGGED MINI PC: A BUYER’S GUIDE

Selecting the right Rugged Mini PC is an important task, but it should not be a daunting one.

With our wide variety of expertly crafted Tangent Rugged Mini PCs, choosing the right model to suit your needs could not be easier. We have carefully designed our website so that key product specifications are easy to identify (to view our Rugged Mini PC product line visit: https://www.tangent.com/industrial-computer/rugged-mini-pc/ or press HERE).

Tangent offers Industrial, Commercial and Rugged PCs. So let’s first make sure you have come to the right buyer’s guide by defining the Rugged Mini PC line.

Rugged Mini PCs are built strong to withstand harsh conditions and rough handling. A Rugged Mini PC is substantially less susceptible to damage than non-rugged devices. Tangent rugged devices meet military standard specifications for dust, shock, vibration, rain, humidity, solar radiation, altitude, and temperature extremes.

RUGGED MINI PC BUYER’S CRITERIA:

OPERATING TEMPERATURES: One highly desirable feature of Rugged Mini PCs is their ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Tangent Rugged Mini PCs are functional in temperatures spanning from -40° to 158°F (-40° to 70° C). Identify the temperature conditions pertaining to your needs to find the appropriate model.

SIZE: As the name implies, all our Rugged Mini PCs are compact and small. Nevertheless, depending on the application, size can absolutely be the single most determining criteria in your selection process. For your smallest computer needs, turn to the Qbit 2 with the following dimension and weight specifications: 4.57″ W x 4.33″ D x 1.93″ 1.53 lbs.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Waterproof anyone? For a waterproof Rugged Mini PC, the Rugged O meets your needs. With its fully waterproof stainless steel enclosure and wide temperature operation range, it’s the go-to model for waterproof functionality.

MOBILE APPLICATIONS: Tangent offers two In-Vehicle Mini Rugged PCs: the FX and Mini Tank. Both Rugged Mini PCs are designed specifically for use in the most demanding mobile applications.

INDUSTRY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Tangent’s Rugged Mini S meets healthcare industry standards with its 60601-1 Medical Certification.

TECHNICAL COMPONENTS: Tangent Mini Rugged PCs all come with powerful state-of-the-art Intel Processors and any one of our models ensures performance reliability that is unsurpassed. Nevertheless, variable technical features can help select the best model for your needs. RS232 OR USB PORTS: Our Rugged Mini C, for example, has up to five RS232 and up to eight USB Ports. VOLTAGE INPUT: Our Rugged E1 has a voltage input capacity of 48V DC, while our Rugged Mini VA is designed with an input of 25V DC. Gbit LANs: The Rugged Mini i has one Gbit LAN while the Rugged Mini C can be configured with up to six Gbit LANs.

For more information about our products or for further assistance in selecting the right computer, please contact: 650-342-9388.

At Tangent, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality products and unparalleled service and support.

 

 

 

 

 

Mini PC: A small “Footprint”

Admin

Mini PC

Today’s Mini PC is considerably more powerful than yesterday’s desktop computers. Packed with the latest Intel processors and running the latest Windows operating system, Tangent’s mini PC product line can be customized to meet the demanding needs of today’s applications. A strong backbone is critical in the engineering process of a tangent mini PC. Tangent carefully selects components designed to deliver reliability, performance, and versatility.

Go mobile with your mini PC; mount them on vehicles to provide applications, GPS and real time management for your fleet remotely. With VESA standard mounting options and models that have been optimized for operation under wide temperature ranges, you can practically mount a mini PC anywhere you can provide power to the AC adapter.

With small footprints; some models are less than 5” in length, and IP65-67 rating for splash and dust resistance, the mini PC product line is a powerful, versatile computing solution for a variety of environments. The fanless option on some models add yet another feature to help reduce maintenance. Without fans there is no need to clean out dust or maintain heatsinks, making our fanless mini PC one of the easiest computers to own and operate.

Unpack and plug it in; speak, one-on-one, to one of our expert Account Executives to help with the configuration of your new mini PC before completing your order. Or request a free evaluation unit of a mini PC to test drive before you buy. When you’re ready to complete your purchase, provide us with your image which we will use to pre-configure your new mini PC and deliver a ready to deploy computer.