What's the Most Reliable Industrial PC?

What is the Most Reliable Industrial PC?

An industrial computer, often referred to as an industrial PC, is purpose-built to handle complex industrial tasks. Crafted from industrial-grade components, enclosed in ruggedized casings, and rigorously tested for reliability, these industrial PCs excel in environments where standard desktop computers would falter.

Key features of industrial PCs include:

  • Ventless and Fanless Design: Industrial PCs are designed to operate without traditional fans, making them resistant to dust and debris, while reducing the risk of internal component damage.
  • Resilience to Vibrations and Harsh Environments: These PCs are built to withstand extreme temperatures, moisture, and vibrations, ensuring uninterrupted performance in challenging conditions.
  • Easy Configuration: Industrial PCs offer flexibility in terms of configuration, allowing them to be tailored to specific applications and industries.
  • Comprehensive I/O Options: These PCs provide a wide range of input and output options, facilitating seamless integration with existing equipment and systems.
  • Extended Lifecycles: Industrial PCs are engineered for longevity, ensuring they continue to perform reliably over an extended period.
  • Durable Components: Built with high-quality components, industrial PCs are designed to endure the test of time, even in the harshest environments.

Selecting the right industrial PC for your specific application is essential for maintaining productivity and efficiency within your facility. By exploring the main types of industrial PCs, considerations during the selection process, key benefits, typical applications, and more, you can make an informed choice to meet your industrial computing needs.

Common Types of Industrial PCs

Industrial PCs come in various types, each tailored to specific industrial applications. Here are three common types:

  • Industrial Panel PCs (IPPCs): These are the most robust and durable industrial PCs, suitable for heavy-duty industrial settings like automotive, steel manufacturing, dairy, and meat processing. Equipped with capacitive or resistive touch sensors, IPPCs can be operated by gloved personnel, making them ideal for challenging environments. They offer features such as installed I/O cards, redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAIDs), multiple drives, and PCI/PCIe expansion slots.
  • Panel PCs (PPCs): Designed for a wide range of light industrial tasks, PPCs are affordable and versatile. They provide ample input and output expansion options and come with various screen choices, including widescreen with multi-touch features or a standard 4:3 screen with a resistive touchscreen. PPC sizes range from 6.5 inches to 42 inches.
  • Touch Panel PCs (TPPCs): These PCs are designed for standard industrial applications and have a slim profile with a thin client terminal. They are fanless, SCADA-ready, and feature screen sizes ranging from 6.5 inches to 42 inches. Typically, TPPCs have fewer I/O options compared to other industrial PC types.

Industrial PCs can offer various characteristics and mounting options depending on the specific application’s demands, including fully enclosed, in-wall, wall-mounted, VESA-mounted, swing arm, fold-down, pedestal, purged, and non-purged designs. Additionally, the materials used for industrial PC enclosures and displays vary and may include aluminum, stainless steel, carbon fiber, composites, polycarbonate, glass, and Lexan.

Choosing the Best Industrial PC

When selecting an industrial PC for your application, consider factors such as computing performance, operating environment, power supply availability, space constraints, and required connectivity features. Key options you’ll need to choose from include mounting styles, processors (CPUs), ratings, operating environments, application or industry use, connectivity, and operating systems. Storage, memory, and expansion options will also play a crucial role in determining the best fit for your needs.

Industrial PCs are versatile, providing benefits such as the ability to operate in harsh environments, resistance to vibration and shock, and fanless design to resist dust and debris. They find applications in various industries, including manufacturing, packaging inspection, asset tracking, simulation and control, remote data management, chemical and food processing, original equipment manufacturing (OEMs), and integration by system integrators.

Why Choose Tangent?

As a leading manufacturer of industrial PCs and display solutions, Tangent offers off-the-shelf and customized solutions for demanding industrial applications across industries like chemical, food processing, manufacturing, military, and more. With over 30 years of industry experience, their products are engineered and constructed to provide long-lasting performance in a wide range of applications.

For more information on how Tangent’s industrial computer solutions can meet your application demands, or to request a quote, visit: Tangent’s industrial PC page. Tangent is dedicated to providing tailored solutions for system integrators without unnecessary NRE charges, ensuring reliable and successful operation in every project.

Tangent industrial computers are the easiest way to increase your factory's efficiency

3 Best Mini PCs For Efficient Industrial Use

When looking for ways to make your factory more efficient, there are a number of options to consider. One of the prime ways to make the most of your facility is to equip it with mini PCs. Mini PCs are small, compact industrial computers that can do the work of larger industrial computers without taking up as much space or power. With Mini PCs, factories and industrial facilities can streamline their operations while reducing costs.

Mini PCs: Save Power And Money

One of the major advantages of deploying mini PCs in a facility is their ability to use a wide range of power inputs. This not only allows them to access power from any machinery they are attached to, but it also allows them to save on energy costs compared to larger industrial computers. Mini PCs like the Rugged Mini E3 from Tangent have a wide range of voltages going from as low as 9 VDC to as high as 48 VDC.

Rugged Mini E3, Mini Rugged PC Tangent
Rugged Mini E3 By Tangent

With this range of input powers, mini PCs can not only take the place of larger industrial computers, they can also be used in situations where their larger counterparts can not. Mini PCs work great as in-vehicle computers on forklifts and industrial machinery, as well as attached directly to stationary industrial machinery.

Usable In Any Environment

While some industrial computers claim to be able to operate in any environment, this is not always the case. But mini PCs are an exception to this, being built in a rugged manner that combined with their small form allows them to be used in virtually any environment. The Rugged Mini O from Tangent is IP69K certified water and dust proof.

Rugged Mini O Industrial Computer From Tangent
Rugged Mini O From Tangent

Mini PCs with the IP69K certification have the highest possible waterproof rating, making them nearly impossible for water to penetrate. Not only does this mean that this mini PC can take the occasional water stream, but it can be used in areas that see constant condensation and evaporation like in meat processing plants.

Space Efficient

The most obvious advantage of using mini PCs in a facility is that they take up virtually no room whatsoever. Mini PCs like the Rugged Mini Q1 from Tangent are less than 5 inches across, making them the perfect industrial computer for use when space is of the essence. The Rugged Mini Q1 also comes with standard VESA mounting, allowing it to be mounted directly behind a computer monitor for maximum space efficiency. With mini PCs, your facility can make the most of its limited space.

Rugged Mini Q1 From Tangent
Rugged Mini Q1 From Tangent

Mini PCs: Efficiency At Its Max

Mini PCs help industrial facilities save time, energy, space, and — most importantly — money. With Tangent’s line of mini PCs, your facility can see its true efficiency unleashed.

Tangent is a leading supplier of medical grade computers. Sanitizable computers help prevent infections in hospitals.

Utilize Industrial PCs To Their Fullest It is becoming more clear that the path forward for many industrial facilities is to take advantage of new technology and transition into a smart factory. With Tangent industrial PCs, this can be easily accomplished. Tangent has a wide range of industrial PCs, ranging from mini industrial PCs to full panel PCs. From touchscreen industrial PCs, to ones that can withstand extreme temperatures, there's a Tangent industrial PC that can help your facility.

Tangent: Three Ways For Industry To Bounce Back

As the nation looks towards reopening, industrial sectors around the country will need to rethink how they do business. As our economy recovers, it will be at the expense of sectors unwilling to transform the way they operate. Keeping your business looking toward the future is crucial to maintaining a healthy and successful company. To that end, here are three ways to help businesses in the industrial sector get back on track.

Make Use Of New Technology

With coal consumption recently falling behind renewable energy, it is becoming more clear that new technologies are being mainstream. Ensuring that your factory, food processing plant, or industrial business is making use of these technologies is crucial to recovering. Besides ensuring that your business is making full use of green technology, there are other ways to keep your business ahead of the curve. For instance, the use of the most advanced industrial PCs can be a game changer for recovering from this crisis.

tangent industrial computers how to restart my factory

Transform Your Facility Into A Smart Factory

With advanced industrial PCs, your facility can begin the transformation into a smart factory. A smart factory is a factory that uses industrial PCs to create a fully networked factory. With a combination of industrial PCs, sensors, and networking, your factory can see productivity increase dramatically. This process of transitioning to a smart factory is being coined as Industry 4.0, a new industrial revolution of sorts.

 

Utilize Industrial PCs To Their Fullest

It is becoming more clear that the path forward for many industrial facilities is to take advantage of new technology and transition into a smart factory. With Tangent industrial PCs, this can be easily accomplished. Tangent has a wide range of industrial PCs, ranging from mini industrial PCs to full panel PCs. From touchscreen industrial PCs, to ones that can withstand extreme temperatures, there’s a Tangent industrial PC that can help your facility.

Industrial Computers
Tangent Industrial Computers

Transition Into The Future With Tangent

With Tangent industrial PCs, the future does not have to be as murky as it is now. Tangent industrial PCs can help your facility transition into a smart factory and be ready for the future of manufacturing.

Tangent is a leading supplier of medical grade computers. Sanitizable computers help prevent infections in hospitals.

 

 

Industrial Grade Computers Versus Commercial Computers

While it may be tempting to think that all computers are created equal, this simply is not the case. Every computer is built for a specific purpose whether or not it is labeled as such. Industrial grade computers are computers that are designed for industrial applications like manufacturing and oil processing. Industrial grade computers differ from commercial computers in a number of ways that make them more versatile and well suited for industrial use.

Industrial Computer Applications

The biggest difference between an industrial computer and a commercial computer is in their applications. A commercial computer is generally designed for use in an office setting. This allows for commercial computers to be built less ruggedly than industrial grade computers. Commercial computers also have the benefit of working in air conditioned spaces, meaning that they do not have to use advanced cooling systems. Commercial computers also do not have to operate on a 24/7 basis, meaning that they can be built to consume more power.

Mini C3
Rugged Mini E3 industrial computer from  Tangent

Each industrial computer is designed to handle situations that a commercial computer simply could not. Take the Rugged Mini E3 by Tangent for instance. With a rugged, shock and vibration rated chassis, the Rugged Mini E3 industrial computer is capable of being used in nearly every industrial setting. In manufacturing, this industrial grade computer’s extreme temperature operating range from -13°F to as hot as 158°F means that it can handle nearly every environment. With an advanced, fanless cooling system, the Rugged Mini E3 is able to operate on a 24/7 basis without needing to be dusted constantly.

Longer Lifetime In Harsher Environments

Because commercial computers are used in the same environments as people, they are able to be built with less stringent guidelines than industrial grade computers. While this may be fine for use in the office, this simply would not do on an oil drilling platform off the coast. Industrial grade computers are built rugged, smart, and to last. With industrial grade computers like the Rugged Mini O from Tangent, there is virtually no worrying about if your computer system will hold up.

Rugged Mini O industrial computer from Tangent
Rugged Mini O industrial computer from Tangent

The Rugged Mini O industrial computer is built to the toughest specifications possible. With an IP69K fully waterproof enclosure, this industrial grade computer can be used virtually anywhere. A solid state drive allows the Rugged Mini O to operate in areas where vibration and shock would render lesser computers worthless.

Versatile And Customizable

Tangent’s entire lineup of rugged industrial grade computers has the ability to help your industrial facility run longer and more productively. With industrial computers as small as a book to ones as powerful as industrial workstations, there’s an industrial grade computer that will fit your need perfectly.

Tangent is a leading supplier of medical grade computers. Sanitizable computers help prevent infections in hospitals.

Every All-In-One PC by Tangent is an Industrial Grade Computer. This means that each All-In-One PC can handle the rugged environment of an industrial facility. From dust, particle exposure, and liquid exposure, an All-In-One PC like the S Series Industrial Grade Computer from Tangent can handle it. Fully IP69K water resistant, the S Series All-In-One PC can handle extreme bouts of water pressure with ease. The S Series, like every All-In-One PC, also features a full touchscreen and can be mounted anywhere, no desk required.

Industrial Grade Computers For Essential Businesses

Despite everything that is happening, many businesses are still open. Essential businesses are the backbone of our nation’s collective public health effort, and supplying them with the equipment they need is crucial to keeping the U.S. afloat. Critical manufacturing, chemical production, and food production have all been deemed essential, and Tangent remains committed to helping these industries that help us all.It is this commitment that drives Tangent to continue to produce high quality industrial grade computers for essential industries and essential businesses.

 

All-In-One PC: An Industrial Grade Computer For Essential Industries

There are a broad range of industries that fall under the label of critical infrastructure, but they all have something in common: they can benefit from the use of an All-In-One PC. Every All-In-One PC is built with industries like food processing, metal fabrication, and oil processing in mind.

Every All-In-One PC by Tangent is an Industrial Grade Computer. This means that each All-In-One PC can handle the rugged environment of an industrial facility. From dust, particle exposure, and liquid exposure,  an All-In-One PC like the S Series Industrial Grade Computer from Tangent can handle it. Fully IP69K water resistant, the S Series All-In-One PC can handle extreme bouts of water pressure with ease. The S Series, like every  All-In-One PC, also features a full touchscreen and can be mounted anywhere, no desk required.

S Series Of Industrial Compuers
     S Series Of Industrial Computers

The Different Types Of Industrial Grade Computers

While an All-In-One PC may be the right fit for your industrial facility, there are many kinds of industrial computers that fall under the label of industrial grade computer.Mini Rugged PCs from Tangent are also known as Mini PCs and are perfect for areas where space is crucial. This type of industrial grade computer is compact and can feature military grade components, giving them a near impenetrable housing. With extreme operating temperature ranges, multiple I/O ports, and flexible mounting, this type of industrial grade computer can be used anywhere

A Mini Rugged Industrial Grade Computer like the Rugged Mini E3 from Tangent has an extreme temperature operating range from -13°F to as hot as 158°F. This industrial grade computer is perfect for use in situations where the failure of an industrial grade computer cannot be tolerated.

Mini C3
     Rugged Mini E3 From Tangent

Make The Difference With An Industrial Grade Computer From Tangent

Whether it’s an All-In-One PC or a Mini Rugged PC, each industrial grade computer from Tangent is designed to fulfill a purpose. Right now, that purpose is keeping vital industries supported, and Tangent is here for them.

Tangent is a leading supplier of medical grade computers. Sanitizable computers help prevent infections in hospitals.

 

Mini PCs For Demanding Applications

Mini PCs For Demanding Applications

There’s no doubt that Industrial PCs are a vital part of every industrial facility. But sometimes, for various reasons, a smaller approach may be preferred. That’s where Mini PCs from Tangent come in. Mini PCs are Industrial PCs that come in small yet powerful form. Rugged Mini PCs are perfect for situations where space is of the utmost concern, but powerful processing power is still required. At Tangent, our lineup of Mini PCs are built for the most demanding applications practiced—whether that’s inside or outside the factory.

High Performance Mini PCs

Embedded control systems don’t have to be tethered to large Industrial PCs. With high performance Rugged Mini PCs from Tangent, embedded control systems can run on a small yet powerful device directly adjacent to the system being controlled. Whether it’s suspension or fluid levels, there’s a Rugged Mini PC from Tangent that can control it. Rugged Mini PCs like the Rugged Mini O from Tangent are IP69K certified waterproof and can withstand temperatures from -4°F – 140°F, making it the perfect controller for nearly every application.

Rugged Mini O
Rugged Mini O

Fanless Mini PCs

Digital Signs are not an industrial endeavor, but nevertheless experience industrial grade conditions. Digital signs posted outside can be exposed to sun damage, dust, and blistering hot summer days. In order to keep these signs running, Tangent has designed Rugged Mini PCs like the Rugged Mini L2 to be fanless, thus making them perfect for digital signage. Without fans, there is no risk of dust buildup in the Rugged Mini PCs, allowing it to withstand all the rigors of outdoor life without constant maintenance.

Rugged Mini L2
Rugged Mini L2

Interactive Kiosks can face similar problems when exposed in the elements. Even more so when these Kiosks offer the user a touchscreen interface. In order to keep these Kiosks from quickly being worn out by daily use, employing Mini PCs from Tangent is crucial. Mini PCs like the Rugged Mini Tank ensures that your kiosk, quite literally, will be built like a tank. Meeting official military grade standards, the Rugged Mini Tank is the perfect Mini PC for interactive kiosks that see daily use.

Rugged Mini Tank
Rugged Mini Tank

Mini PCs: Perfect For Every Occasion

Whether it’s inside or outside the factory, Mini Industrial PCs can find applications in nearly any environment. These industrial PCs are custom built to be able to withstand any industrial application, making them perfect for situations that see just as many rugged conditions as factories see. With Mini Industrial PCs from tangent, there is nothing that can’t be done with industrial efficiency.

factory and infrastructure. Industrial PC from Tangent

Feature Packed Industrial Computers

When it comes to the needs of industrial facilities, no two sets of needs are alike. Every type of facility— from factories, to oil processing plants, and even refrigerated facilities—has its own unique set of problems requiring unique solutions. Tangent is highly aware of this, and has designed multiple industrial computers to meet the needs of many facilities. Our feature packed industrial computers are custom designed for nearly every environment, guaranteeing there are multiple Tangent industrial computers to meet the demands of your facility.

Flexible Mounting Options

Not every facility has the square footage to accommodate multiple office spaces, but this shouldn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your workstations altogether. Industrial computers from Tangent like the F15 industrial grade computer are built for just such instances. With flexible VESA 75/100 and M8 Heavy-duty screws mounting options, the F15 industrial grade computer is capable of being placed nearly anywhere. The F15 industrial grade computer is an all-in-one PC that does not require a mouse or keyboard, meaning that it also does not require a large desk. Simply mount the F15 anywhere—even on a forklift—and “anywhere” can become an industrial workstation.

F15 Industrial PC From Tangent
F15 Industrial Computer

Military Grade Hardware

While other manufacturers claim to have “military grade” industrial computers, Tangent has actually gone through the accreditation process for its line of qualifying industrial grade computers. Industrial computers like the Rugged Mini Tank industrial computer meet MIL-STD-810F shock standards. This makes this industrial grade computer the perfect fit for industrial areas where vibrations and drops are a fact of life. The Rugged Mini Tank lives up to its name, and can withstand military levels of punishment while operating as though it was sitting in a coffee shop.

Rugged Mini Tank
Rugged Mini Tank

Advanced Cooling Systems

It is true that not every industrial facility’s needs are the same, but one thing holds true across the board: industrial facilities require industrial computers with specialized cooling systems. Traditional fan based cooling systems used by commercial computers assume that the location they are used in will have an air filter to remove dust and other contaminants. It goes without saying that this is not the case in industrial facilities. Tangent has created a passive cooling system for its lineup of industrial grade computers that not only cool them off, but allow them an extreme resistance to temperatures.

Industrial computers like the Rugged Mini C from Tangent can withstand temperatures from  -40° – 185°F. This extreme range of operating temperatures makes the Rugged Mini C ideal for facilities where temperatures are either ice cold or beating hot.

Rugged Mini C Industrial Computer
Rugged Mini C Industrial Computer

Feature Packed And Factory Ready

Industrial grade computers from Tangent are custom designed to meet the needs of every industrial facility. Whether your facility lacks space, requires military grade hardware, or even has extreme temperatures, Tangent has created an industrial computer that will be the perfect fit.

 

Industrial Computers Built To Run 24/7

As the U.S. industrial sector continues to expand, factories are looking for new ways to beat the competition in terms of efficiency and productivity. This may mean that creating multiple shifts and transitioning your facility to operate around the clock is in your factory’s future. But even if your workers can operate in three separate shifts, their equipment cannot. Making sure that the equipment your workers use can withstand 24/7 use is crucial to maximizing your facility’s productivity and efficiency.

Industrial Computers Built For 24/7 Use

Industrial computers are computers custom-designed to operate in factories, oil rigs, and every other industrial facility currently in use. Unlike commercial grade computers, industrial computers are able to withstand the temperatures and environments of the industrial sector with ease. But not all industrial computers are built equal. Industrial computers are seldom designed to operate on a 24/7 schedule—unless they are designed by Tangent. Tangent designs all of their industrial computers to be able to withstand a 24/7 use cycle with ease. Here’s how:

All-In-One PC Housing

In order to maintain a 24/7 use cycle, industrial computers need to be designed accordingly. One way to accomplish this is design the industrial computer as an all-in-one PC. All-in-one PCs are industrial computers that are similar to tablets in that the entire PC is contained behind the screen. All-in-one PCs like the S Series from Tangent make full use of this technology in their design. The S Series, when equipped with a solid state drive, features no moving parts whatsoever. In addition to its touchscreen, this means that the S Series rarely requires maintenance, making it perfect for 24/7 use.

S Series Of Industrial Compuers
      S Series Of Industrial Computers

Extreme Temperature Resistance

A 24/7 use cycle means that an industrial computer must be able to withstand wide ranges of temperatures. From chilly nights to scorching days, the F15 all-in-one PC from Tangent can do just that. Able to withstand temperatures ranging from -4 – 140°F, this all-in-one PC is ready for any environment. Even when used on an oil processing facility under the desert sun, the F15 will run as though it was positioned in an air conditioned office. 

F15 Industrial PC From Tangent
             F15 Industrial Computer

24/7 U.S. Based Technical Support

If your facility intends to run 24/7, then your technical support should run 24/7 too. Tangent’s United States based technical support agents are more than ready to assist you in all your technical support needs at any time. Whether it’s in the middle of the night or during a lunch break, Tangent’s trusted technical support team is there to keep your factory humming along. With remote troubleshooting, advance parts exchange, and on-site technician availability, Tangent’s United States based technical support team ensure your facility’s 24/7 dream comes true.

Tangent: Built For 24/7

If you want to upgrade your facilities’ equipment to run 24/7, then Tangent’s lineup of all-in-one PCs are the way to go. Combined with their 24/7 technical support, Tangent’s all-in-one PCs are the perfect fit.