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.

Smart factories can benefit from complex networks built by rugged mini pcs from Tangent

Industrial Computers For Complex System Networking

When making a new network for your facility, there are many things to consider. Should you invest in smart factory infrastructure entirely? How many networks should your factory have? How many switches and routers do you need? While these are some of the most pressing questions, the question of the actual computers that will comprise the network should not be overlooked. While traditional computers rely on switches to create a network across multiple computers, there are other options that can be more effective. Industrial computers from Tangent can create networks via switches or simply by being connected to one another, allowing for more choices in your network building process.

Industrial Computers Are Perfect For Complex Systems

Complex networks require advanced infrastructure, and industrial computers from Tangent are more than advanced enough to be the building blocks for your factory’s network. Tangent’s lineup of rugged computers are built for the factory setting. These rugged computers can withstand temperatures from -40°F to 185°F with ease, making them perfect for nearly any facility.

In addition to this wide operating temperature range, rugged computers from Tangent are specially designed for every industrial need, including the creation of complex networks. Every rugged computer from tangent has, at minimum, two Ethernet ports. This allows Tangent’s rugged computers to connect to two networks at once, allowing for the daisy chaining of rugged computers.

More Ethernet Ports: More Networks

While it is common to see the use of centralized networks in most facilities, the use of decentralized networks is not to be ignored. Decentralized networks differ from centralized networks in that instead of every computer being connected to one network, computers are networked to each other directly. This has distinct advantages in certain situations, namely that a large bandwidth use by one computer does not slow the whole network down.

One way to accomplish a decentralized network is with industrial computers from Tangent. Rugged computers like the Rugged Mini FX come standard with four separate Ethernet ports. With four Ethernet pots, this rugged computer can connect to four separate networks. This means that it can potentially connect to four other industrial computers, which are all in turn connected to three other computers, and so on. Or, the Rugged Mini FX can connect to three industrial computers and a separate, centralized network. The possibilities with multiple Ethernet ports are endless.

If four Ethernet ports are not enough for your complex system needs, then the Rugged Mini C from Tangent is the way to go. This industrial computer has a whopping six Ethernet ports. This nearly absurd amount of Ethernet ports allows the Rugged Mini C to potentially connect to six separate networks. With an optional solid state drive, this industrial computer can make the most out of its six Ethernet ports.

Complex Systems Don’t Have To Be A Complex Headache

With industrial computers from Tangent, creating complex systems doesn’t have to be a chore. Industrial computers can help you create complex networks that are ready to help your facility transition into a smart factory.

Industrial PCs For Dusty Environments

Industrial Computers For Dusty Environments

While some industrial spaces restrict the amount of dust circulating throughout the facility, the matter of the fact is that most industrial facilities harbor dust and other pollutants. While workers can easily avoid this dust, their industrial computers may not be as lucky. Typical industrial computers require outside air be brought into the case in order to cool off the delicate central processing units (CPUs), normally via a fan based cooling system. Without proper cooling, CPUs can overheat, rendering  the entire industrial computer useless.

However, the very same system that preserves the integrity of the CPU can actually cause long term harm as well. Fan based cooling systems excel in environments where air is filtered on a regular basis, such as in offices or at home, but falter when used in dusty environments. CPUs are cooled when their fans pass cool air through what is known as a heat sink, which appears as a metal comb elongated so that it’s teeth are inches wide. Typically, heat transfers from the CPU to the teeth of the heat sink, where cool air circulated by the fan removes the heat from the heat sink to the outside of the case. 

In a dusty environment, the air brought in by the industrial computer’s fan slowly builds up along the channels between the heat sink’s teeth. Overtime, the heatsink’s channels begin to be impassable to fresh air, and the heatsink has no way of expelling heat. The heatsink continuously heats up, and eventually the excess heat begins damaging the CPU. 

Fanless Computers: Working Where Others Can’t

Fanless computers are an elegant solution to this conundrum, circulating no air throughout the body of the industrial computer. Without a fan, no dust builds up in the industrial computer and it remains functional even in the dustiest of environments. Fanless computers function in the same way traditional industrial computers operate, except that they feature a passive cooling system. 

This passive cooling system is just as, if not more, reliable than fan based cooling systems without opening up the industrial computer to the dusty environment it exists in. The industrial PC fanless solution solves one of the biggest problems for industrial computers, opening them up to a wider range of use.

Industrial PC Fanless Solution: Rugged Mini E3

The Rugged Mini E3 Is One Industrial PC Fanless Solution
The Rugged Mini E3 Is One Industrial PC Fanless Solution

Without a fan, the Rugged Mini E3 from Tangent makes full use of the industrial PC fanless solution. Capable of working environments where temperatures can reach up to a scorching 158°F, the Rugged Mini E3 is one fanless computer that proves fans are not necessary to maintain proper cooling. With up to 32 gigabytes of RAM and a 6th Intel processor, the Rugged Mini E3 fanless computer can easily handle any industrial program you throw at it.

Industrial PC Fanless Solution: Rugged Mini S

The Rugged Mini S Is One Industrial PC Fanless Solution
The Rugged Mini S Is One Industrial PC Fanless Solution

Proving that industrial computing power does not have to be limited to a desk, the Rugged Mini S from Tangent is built to be used on the go. As an in-vehicle computer, the Rugged Mini S is capable of utilizing a wide range of voltages starting as low as 9 VDC and up to 28 VDC. With this kind of versatility, the Rugged Mini S fanless computer is the perfect companion for nearly every worker in a vehicle. With built-in Wifi and Bluetooth, the Rugged Mini S is capable of being used anywhere in a facility, and especially while on the move.

Industrial PC Fanless Solution: Rugged Mini G

The Rugged Mini G Is One Industrial PC Fanless Solution
The Rugged Mini G Is One Industrial PC Fanless Solution

Whether it’s in a mill, foundry, or factory, the Rugged Mini G Fanless Computer from Tangent is ready to excel. With an operating temperature range of 14° to 131°F, the Rugged Mini G is capable of handling life in facilities with wide fluctuations in temperature with ease. This fanless computer comes with either Wall Mount, VESA 75/100, or DIN Rail mounting systems, making it a flexible addition to your industrial computer fleet.

Industrial PC Fanless Solutions: The Right Choice

While every facility has its own unique needs, there is not a single one that won’t benefit from the introduction of fanless computers. With fanless computers, your industrial computers can operate longer with less maintenance and perform in environments where their fan based peers simply cannot. 

 

High Performance Industrial PCs by Tangent

Panel Computer- Industrial Panel Computer

When it comes to the industrial sector, having the right industrial computer for the job is crucial to maintaining a productive facility. That’s why at Tangent, we thoroughly examine every possible role that our high performance industrial computers can play in a facility and design them accordingly. At Tangent, we examine industry trends and needs in order to maintain and improve the broadest possible lineup of industrial computers.

 

While all of Tangent’s industrial computers are designed to last for years in rugged environments, there are features and options that make each individual industrial PC unique. Here are some of Tangent’s top high performance industrial computers that are built for high performance and productivity in the most rugged environments.

 

VITA KW Line

VITA KW Line of Industrial PCs
VITA KW Line Of Industrial Computers

The VITA KW line of high performance industrial computers from Tangent features three different sizes for every industrial need. These all-in-one industrial PCs come in 15, 19, and 22 inch wide models, ensuring that there is a VITA KW for every workstation regardless of available space. Featuring Intel 6th Generation processing units, the VITA KW line has enough power to handle bulky industrial software with ease. Not only can these industrial computers withstand the most intensive industrial software, but they can also handle some of the harshest industrial environments. With a fanless cooling system, the VITA KW can operate in environments where dust, metal shavings, and other pollutants are a fact of life without needing to be regularly cleaned. With an IP65 rated water resistant front panel, these industrial computers are built to withstand any and all environments.

 

S Series 

S Series Of Industrial Compuers
S Series Of Industrial Computers

If your facility handles liquids that have the potential to leak out at any time, then the S Series of high performance industrial computers from Tangent is the solution for you. The S Series was built for liquid handling facilities, allowing workers to operate their industrial computer in any part of the facility regardless of its proximity to liquids. The S Series is IP69K certified waterproof, able to withstand both dust and liquid intrusion to the highest degree possible. This allows workers to use these industrial computers anywhere in a liquid handling facility, or with wet hands without consequence. With flexible mounting options, the S Series of industrial computers is truly built to operate anywhere in a liquid handling facility.

 

V474

VITA 474 Industrial PC
VITA 474 Industrial Computer

When multitasking is more than just a buzzword, the V474 industrial computer from Tangent is the way to go. With 32 gigabytes of RAM, the V474 is capable of handling multiple industrial programs at once. Whether it’s solidworks, warehouse management software, or simply dozens of web browser tabs, the V474 is capable of handling them all simultaneously. With multiple I/O ports of various typing, this high performance industrial computer can also serve to monitor multiple lines of production at once. Not only is the V474 industrial computer a versatile multitasker, but it can withstand temperatures of up to 122ºF with ease.

 

F15

F15 Industrial PC From Tangent
F15 Industrial Computer

Blending the flexibility of an industrial computer tablet with the robustness of a standard industrial PC, the F15 industrial computer from Tangent is the perfect in-vehicle computer. With both VESA and M8 heavy-duty screw mounting systems, the F15 high performance industrial computer is capable of being mounted on nearly every industrial vehicle. Featuring 10 programmable function keys, the F15 is capable of being operated by vehicle drivers with one hand without distracting them from driving. Built-in Wifi enables the F15 to stay connected to your facility’s network regardless of where the industrial PC is mounted. Workers need not worry about accidentally parking their forklift in an area with liquid exposure, as every panel of the F15 is IP65 rated water resistant and will not be damaged. 

 

R14

R14 Industrial Computer Tablet From Tangent
R14 Industrial PC Tablet

Powerful computing does not have to be limited to mounted industrial computers; the R14 industrial PC tablet from Tangent proves this with a powerful Intel 8th generation quad core processor. The R14 high performance industrial PC tablet makes no sacrifices in the power department in order to be portable, with some of the latest Kaby Lake R SoC integrated CPU architecture and a powerful nVidia Geforce GTX 1050 graphics card. The R14 is perfect for workers who are constantly on the move, but whose job requires constant access to powerful industrial programs. Blending power and portability, the R14 allows on-the-move workers the flexibility to multitask across a wide range of programs with its 32 gigabytes of RAM. With a lightweight and rugged Magnesium chassis, the R14 high performance industrial PC tablet is easily carried and can withstand the occasional accidental drop without damage.

 

P13

P13 Industrial Computer Tablet From Tangent
P13 Industrial Computer Tablet

When working with large files, it can be frustrating to wait long periods of time as the data transfers from one industrial PC to another. The P13 industrial PC tablet from Tangent elegantly solves this dilemma by being both a high performance industrial PC tablet and mounted computer. With standard VESA mounting, the P13 industrial PC tablet can be quickly and easily transformed into a workstation PC. On the move, the P13 has hot-swap battery technology allowing for nearly 24/7 use. Simply plug in a charged battery, use the P13 for up to six hours, then simply replace the exhausted battery with a freshly charged one for another six hours of industrial use.

 

R10

R10 Industrial PC Tablet From Tangent
R10 Industrial Computer Tablet

High temperature resistance does not have to be limited to just mounted industrial PCs, the R10 industrial PC tablet from Tangent can withstand high temperatures while also being mobile. The R10 high performance industrial PC tablet is perfect for workers in environments where temperatures can vary widely. Being able to withstand temperatures of up to 104°F, the R10 is capable of being a worker’s goto industrial PC tablet for working on the move. With up to a 480 gigabyte solid state drive (SSD), the R10 promotes computing, being able to write and retrieve data in its storage far faster than traditional computers. When the speed of its SSD is combined with the functionality of its programmable function keys, the R10 industrial PC tablet is the fastest way for workers to respond to workplace emergencies.

 

P10

P10 Industrial Computer Tablet From Tangent
P10 Industrial PC Tablet

While all of Tangent’s industrial PCs have a satisfactory amount of I/O ports, the P10 industrial PC tablet has a near excessive amount of them. With 12 I/O ports of various typing, the P10 is perfect for situations where multiple peripherals are in use at once. To complement this wide range of I/O ports, the P10 also has a VGA port for a second monitor. This allows the P10 high performance industrial PC tablet to take full advantage of its I/O ports by giving the P10 enough screen space for every input. With all these I/O ports, the P10 can quickly become a jungle of cables. Anticipating this, Tangent has designed the P10’s docking system with an advanced cable management system that turns the jungle of cables into a neat garden.

 

High Performance Industrial Computers: Every Occasion, Every Use

With such a wide variety of high performance industrial computers, there is sure to be one that solves a problem in your facility. High performance industrial PCs from Tangent are purpose built to serve workers in every field when traditional commercial grade computers simply will not do. 

Industrial Computers Help Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicle Usage On The Rise

The use of electric cars is quickly becoming commonplace around the globe, with the adoption of such vehicles being seen in nearly every industrialized country. In 2018 alone, the amount of electric vehicles in use nearly doubled from the previous year to 5.1 million according to the International Energy Agency, an autonomous intergovernmental organization.

 

With such a meteoric rise in the consumer use of such vehicles, we cannot discount their viability in the industrial space. Electric vehicles are not only better for the environment, but also better for the productivity of the industrial sector. Integrating electric cars and electric vehicles into your industrial or warehouse space can lead to boosts in productivity and worker  health.

 

Electric Vehicles: Not Just For Commuters

When one thinks about electric vehicles, thoughts gravitate towards the big name electric car companies that are seemingly always in the headlines. While these companies are making great strides in the mileage range and cost of consumer electric vehicles, other companies have been innovating electric vehicles for industrial use under the radar. In fact, many industrial vehicles—from forklifts to personnel carriers— have electric vehicle variants ready for use.

touchscreen industrial computer
F15 Touchscreen Industrial Computer

These vehicles are less noisy, and more versatile than their combustion engine counterparts. The lack of a noisy combustion engine makes these vehicles the perfect platform for mobile working. When paired with touchscreen industrial computers with programmable function keys, electric vehicles become the ultimate mobile workstation. Allowing for one hand use, touchscreen industrial computers plug directly into your electric vehicle and connect directly to your warehouse management system or network.

 

Better For The Environment, Margins, And Workers

Everyone knows that electric cars are better for the environment, but as an added bonus  they are also better for margins. The cost to operate electric vehicles is half the price of combustion engine vehicles, according to the U.S. Department Of Energy, owing in part to the relatively stable price of electricity compared to oil-based fuels. Electric vehicles can take out the worry about how fluctuations in the global oil supply will affect your operating expenses, cutting travel costs in half and normalizing your budget—all while giving you the peace of mind knowing that your company has made a small step towards a greener future.

 

In addition, electric vehicles are safer to operate than their older combustion engine relatives. Electric cars are favored by consumers not only for their low operating cost and environmental impact, but also their lack of dangerous fume exhaust. Prolonged exposure to exhaust such as carbon monoxide can lead to serious health complications, including heart problems and brain damage. Fumes spit out by traditional industrial vehicles can slowly cause these health problems for your workers, leading to increased medical expenses or worse. Electric vehicles offer a safe, promising alternative to a workplace problem damaging the environment, margins, and workers.

 

Electric Vehicles: The Future, Today

Electric vehicles are poised to take over the transportation sector, and industrial vehicles are no exception to this. When upgrading your fleet to include electric vehicles, make sure your workers get the most out of this investment by equipping them with touchscreen industrial computers

AutoCAD RAM Requirement

How Much RAM Do I Need in My Industrial PC?

When shopping for new industrial PCs, there are many important factors to consider. CPU age and clock speed, hard drive space, and availability of I/O ports are all crucial considerations to make when deciding on the equipment that will keep your facility running in the years to come. But one critical, and usually overlooked, aspect of industrial PCs to consider when purchasing a new setup is the amount of random access memory (RAM) they contain.

 

What Is RAM In An Industrial PC?

When we think of an Industrial PC, we like to imagine one tower that does everything itself. But this is actually not the case, and even in the smallest microcontrollers different components make up the larger computer. RAM serves a secondary storage for your computer alongside your hard drive, but has a specific task. Instead of saving data such as programs and files on a long term basis, RAM is actually empty when the computer is not in use. When you use a program, such as autoCAD, Premiere Pro, or even SOLIDWORKS, on your industrial PC the program is copied from the hard drive to the RAM. Hard drives have a certain amount of data they can transfer around the Industrial PC every second, and RAM has a much higher rate of data transfer; Therefore RAM allows for programs, files, and data in use to be easily accessed by the industrial PC for immediate use.

Rugged Mini E3 Industrial Computer

How Much RAM Do I Need In My Industrial PC?

While everyone’s industrial PC needs vary, a good rule of thumb when looking at RAM is: The more, the better. There simply is no real drawbacks to having as much RAM as possible, as more RAM allows more programs, files, and data to be in use at once on your Industrial PC. However, there is a minimum amount of RAM for many programs that should be beared in mind. For instance, SOLIDWORKS requires a minimum of 16 gigabytes (gb) of RAM to function and 32 gb to work optimally. The Rugged Mini E3 from Tangent can be configured to both a 16 gb and 32 gb amount of RAM, enabling this industrial PC to function as a standalone SOLIDWORKS workstation or general use station. Every program should have a minimum system requirements section listed on its software page which will tell you how much RAM is needed for the program.

 

Why Should My Industrial PC Have More Ram Than It Needs?

As technology progresses, the file sizes of programs are getting bigger, and require more computing power to handle. SOLIDWORKS now recommends the use of solid state drives over hard drives due to their significantly faster data transfer speeds. Having more RAM than is required for programs is an easy way to future-proof your industrial PC purchase. In the short run, a larger pool of RAM allows your industrial PC to multitask, running multiple industrial software at once. In the long run, your industrial PC will still be able to handle the new, updated industrial software without needing an upgrade itself.

 

RAM In Industrial PCs

Whether you put the maximum or minimum amount of RAM in your industrial PCs, it is important to understand what RAM does and make an informed decision on the matter. Tangent industrial PCs have a wide range of RAM options, from 4gb up to 32 gb, allowing you to make the best decision possible for your facility.

Industrial Grade PCs

How Can Stress Be Reduced In The Industrial Workplace? Industrial Grade PCs May Hold The Key.

Stress impacts us in a variety of different ways. From our relationships with others to our quality of sleep, stress limits our ability to function at our prime. When workers bring stress into the job site, it can lead to a drastic increase in accidents in the workplace. According to Dr. David Spiegel, a medical director of the Stanford Center on Stress and Health, “[i]t’s very clear that a big proportion of safety problems are due to human error, and some of that is related to stress.” Companies hoping to retain the edge in the increasingly competitive industrial sector will need to find ways to reduce stress and hassle in the workplace, not only to avoid costly accidents but to increase productivity overall. To that end, industrial grade PCs offer a compelling avenue for decreasing frustrations in the workplace, freeing workers from the stress of handling subpar technology.

Industrial Grade PC’s are Tough, Versatile Products Employees Can Rely Upon.

When an employee is faced with pressing deadlines and the day-to-day demands of their job, the last thing they need is a piece of equipment they cannot rely upon. Industrial grade PCs perform where commercial PCs cannot. For instance, the R14 Industrial Tablet PC, featuring a 14” screen and dual, high capacity batteries that can sustain up to 18+ hours of demanding video-based programs, allowing for usage well beyond the typical 8-hour workday. The R14 can also, like many other of Tangent’s industrial grade PCs, withstand temperatures ranging from -4° to 140°F, allowing for use in nearly any industrial or manufacturing environment. Without the worry about whether or not their equipment can perform across a wide range of environments, and with a battery capacity over twice the standard workday , employees with industrial grade PCs can focus solely on the critical aspects of their role.

Up To The Task: Powerful Industrial Grade PCs.

Sluggish, unresponsive technology is annoying for anyone to deal with, even more so for employees relying on that technology to perform vital roles in their company. Fortunately, Tangent’s line of industrial grade PCs come packed with power. Industrial grade PCs like the Rugged Mini E3 sport up to an Intel 6th Gen. Core i7, along with 32GB of DDR4 RAM, to guarantee lightning-fast response times with even the most demanding programs. Commercial PCs may be able to offer similar responsiveness, but only industrial-grade PCs marry that performance to resilience. Industrial grade PCs. such as the VITA KW. feature dust and water resistance, backed by an IP65 certified rating, along with a fanless cooling system that prevents the buildup of particulates that can lead to the degradation found in less durable commercial PCs. Employees can rest easy knowing their industrial grade PCs will hold up in the toughest of workplaces.

The Fusion of Productivity and Flexibility: Industrial Grade PCs.

No one wants to be stressed, but the accumulation of stress in the workplace seems more and more like a fact of life. Industrial grade PCs from Tangent can help negate stress in the workplace. With incredible battery life and lightning-fast Intel processors, Industrial Grade PCs can give your workers one less thing to worry about.

Which CPU is Right for Your Industrial PC?

One of the most, if not the most, important aspects to be aware of when purchasing industrial PCs is what processor chip, or CPU, the computer is equipped with. The CPU acts as the brain of the industrial PC, running both the operating system and programs present on the PC’s hard drive. Intel is a major manufacturer of processors, with many lines of CPUs such as I3, I5, and I7 lines. One major misconception when looking at processors is the assumption that an I7 CPU will be better than an I5, and an I5 will be better than an I3. While in some cases this is true, it is not a concrete fact and there are many factors that determine which CPU is the best for a given job.

Industrial Computer
Tangent’s Rugged Mini I

Are I7 Chips The Best?

While it may seem as though I7 chips are the latest(and therefore best) chips on the market, in reality this is not the case. In fact, many I5 chips are just as fast, or faster than their i7 counterparts. This is because the real difference between I3, I5, and I7 chips is actually their architecture, how they are built and what they are built for. Intel updates these chip lines every year, so that every year there is both a new lineup of I5 and I7 chips for industrial PC manufacturers to choose from. For instance, Tangent’s Rugged Mini I rugged mini PC can be customized to have I3, I5, or I7 chip, but each of these chips would be from the Intel 6th generation of processors. Furthermore, the actual speed of processors, referred to as gigahertz, varies between the lines and it is not uncommon at all for higher model I5 processors to be faster than I7 processors.

industrial computer
Rugged Mini E3

So What’s The Difference?

One of the main differences between the chip lines is the amount of cache present on the chip. The cache present on a processor serves as a temporary storage area for data that the chip is currently thinking about. For instance, if you were working on a large spreadsheet, the areas of the spreadsheet you were not actively looking at may be stored in the cache for quicker access when you scroll over to that area.I7 chips typically come with a larger cache than I5 chips, and therefore can handle more data at a time. However, the amount of cache an industrial PC actually needs depends largely on the task that required of it. An industrial PC being used by an operator for logistics and spreadsheets may need an I7 chip’s cache size, but another industrial PC being used on an assembly line would do more than fine with an I5’s cache size. Keep this in mind when looking at industrial PCs like the Mini E3 from Tangent, which can fit an I7, I5, I3, or even intel’s lesser known and less power intensive celeron processor.

Industrial Computer
Tangent’s R14 Industrial Computer

Where Would I Want An I7 Processor?

One thing that should be noted about I7 processors is that they are more equipped to handle larger tasks than their I5 and I3 counterparts. I7 processors can featured what is known as hyperthreading, which tricks programs into thinking that the processor has twice the amount of cores than it actually does. This significantly increases the speed of the processor, and therefore of the industrial PC over all. Consider the R14 Industrial Tablet from Tangent, which features an 8th generation I7 Kaby Lake processor. This on-the-go industrial tablet has two 4 core CPU options, with either a 6MB or 8MB cache. With hyperthreading, the R14 can operate as though it had 8 cores, and therefore increase the speed at which in handles programs greatly. This makes the R14 great for workers who use industrial programs that require heavy computing.

When Would I Want An I3 or I5 Processor?

While I7 processors have hyperthreading, I5 processors do not. However, they still typically sport 4 cores which is more than enough for the bulk of industrial applications. Take for instance the VITA KW Industrial Panel PC from Tangent, which is capable of sporting either an I3 or I5 processor. The VITA KW line is designed for situations where space may not be as readily available as in an office setting, and it’s all-in-one PC design lends itself to that. Having a full touchscreen and VESA mount, the VITA KW can be placed in situations where other PCs simply could not. With an I3 or I5 Processor, the VITA KW uses less power than an I7 unit, and allows it to be placed virtually anywhere.

 

The Right Chip For The Right Job

In the end, it is important to determine what an industrial PC’s role in the workplace will be before making the decision of what CPU to put into it. I3 and I5 chips can be just as fast, or faster than I7 chips while consuming less energy. I7 chips can utilize hyperthreading for certain tasks to speed them up. Keeping these things in mind when deciding on what industrial PC to purchase can help keep your workplace operating efficiently.

Industrial PCs

Industrial PCs for Automation

When it comes to repetitive and mundane tasks, workers often experience burnout or a lack of enthusiasm towards their work. This is where industrial PCs can make a difference, automating the repeating tasks of a factory floor and freeing up workers to take on more stimulating jobs. As industrial PC power grows, the ways in which automation can help your factory floor achieve greater productivity also grow.

Industrial PC
Tangent’s VITA KW Industrial PC

Freeing Up Workers

We’ve come a long way from the days where an employee would stand for eight hours, tightening the same bolt into the same position across hundreds of units. Today, industrial PCs have automated the bulk of easy, repetitive tasks. This allows for workers who would have previously been stuck doing such tasks to take on more engaging roles. With industrial PCs that come equipped with factory proof panel screens, workers can check in on how automated jobs are performing without the hassle of using an outdated mouse-and-keyboard setup. Mounted industrial PCs allow workers to quickly check up on the assembly line, and get right back to work.

 

Increasing Workplace Safety Without Decreasing Productivity

No one wants to work in an unsafe environment, and studies show that happy workers are productive workers. Industrial PCs can provide your workplace with a safe way to automate the jobs that have the potential to be dangerous, while increasing productivity. In addition, industrial PCs can be hooked up to your factory’s network, allowing industrial PCs to take full advantage of all the various sensors present on the floor. When industrial PCs are networked with sensors, they can alert workers to changes in production, safety concerns, and general announcements from management. The ease of access that industrial PC panels offer means that in the event of an emergency on the floor, workers will know exactly what is going on, and how to react properly.

Industrial Computer
Tangent’s R14 Industrial Computer

Reducing Worker Fatigue

From clocking in to getting employee feedback, industrial PCs make reducing worker fatigue a simple and attainable goal. With industrial PC tablets that can be used on the go, workers can clock in and out of the job without having to wait in a long line. Instead, they can simply clock in and out with their personal industrial PC tablet, saving them valuable break time and ensuring that they are refreshed when they return to work. In addition, equipping your workforce with industrial PC tablets means that when management needs to gain valuable worker insight, they don’t have to call a meeting and stop the assembly line. Instead, they can push out a survey or questionnaire to the workforce who can then provide feedback immediately.

 

Industrial PCs: Automation Made Easy

 

There’s no better way to automate parts of your factory than with industrial PCs. Whether you need to automate a potentially dangerous task, upgrade employee communications, or increase productivity, industrial PCs from Tangent have your back.

all-in-one PC

All-In-One-PCs On The Automotive Assembly Line

The automobile industry famously pioneered the assembly line, and since then has constantly innovated the manufacturing process of automobiles. In the information age, this innovation can be seen in the increasingly-computerized factory floor’s ability to produce cars with maximum efficiency. However, outdated or mismatched industrial computers can have the reverse effect on a factory, slowing down the assembly line and robbing the floor of productivity.

 

That’s where All-In-One PCs from Tangent can make the difference, providing factories with a standardized approach to computing. With All-In-One PCs, every computer in a factory can be the same model, from logistics control systems to RFID scanners. Having standardized industrial computers on the factory floor means that workers operating multiple stations throughout the day won’t have to readjust every time they encounter a new computer. Instead, workers can move confidently from station to station without any hiccups, improving efficiency dramatically.

 

The factory floor can be a harsh environment, and it may seem as though All-In-One PCs can’t take the punishment required of an industrial computer. But the All-In-One PCs from Tangent not only meet the standards set by industrial computers, they exceed them. For instance, the R14 All-In-One PC from Tangent not only features military grade shock resistance, but IP65 water resistance. The R14 All-In-One PC also comes with a magnesium alloy casing, making it 33% lighter than traditional aluminum housed industrial computers, but just as durable. The R14 clocks in at a mere 4.3 pounds, this lightweightness coupled with an up-to 18 hour battery life means that workers can rely on the R15 to be both an ergonomic and lasting tool for their entire work day.

 

All-In-One PC
                      Tangent’s R14 All-In-One PC 

 

For areas with minimal worker movement, the VITA KW All-In-One PC line from Tangent provides a mounted industrial computer solution. The VITA KW line sports four different sized computers, ensuring that no matter the size of a work area, there will be room for a Tangent All-In-One PC. When equipped with the RFID reading module, the VITA KW line can process automotive parts moving around the factory without needing outside peripherals to do so. The VITA KW line also sports impressively durable touch screens that are rated for IP65 water resistance, ensuring that the ease of access workers come to expect with the R14 line of tablets will be met by the VITA KW line.

 

Both the R14 and VITA KW line All-In-One PCs come with one year warranties and 24/7 United States based technical support. No matter the time of day, if there is ever a problem on the factory floor, it  can be immediately resolved with the least impact on productivity. When it comes to creating or updating an assembly line, Tangent All-In-One PCs provide the computing power and durability necessary to make it an efficient one.