Tag: Industrial PC

Industrial PC Ideal for the Meat Processing Industry

Michelle

Industrial PC Ideal for the Meat Processing Industry 

In late 2012, the largest beef recall in Canada was prompted by an E. coli outbreak from a meat distributor called XL Foods. Eighteen people became sick, some to the point of needing hospitalization, and more than 4,000 tonnes of beef was recalled from across Canada and the U.S. This event sparked months of investigation, government inquiries, and resulted in massive financial impacts, but it is only one of many examples of foodborne illness-related recalls and scares in the agriculture industry. Contaminated foods is one of the greatest wastes any industry can face and so it’s understandable that cleaning and sanitation within meat processing plants is considered one of its most important activities.

So what can be done to ensure all the equipment in an industrial meat processing plant meets  strict sanitation requirements and safety protocols? Invest in equipment that can stand up to the rigors of being inspected, wiped down with cleaning solutions and water jet spray, and exposed to widely varying temperatures. Computer equipment often falls short on these needs, but industrial PC solutions are readily available from Tangent for these types of harsh and demanding environments.

The Tangent S-Series Industrial Panel computers were purpose built to offer reliable, long-lasting processing with a durable case. The enclosure is IP69K rated to protect the internals against spray downs using high water pressures and high temperatures, as well as applied solutions. The rugged, stainless housing also offers a corrosion resistant surface.  High pressure washing is efficient for surface cleaning after dry-cleaning of scrap materials in a meat processing center, followed by an application of cleaning or detergent agents. The input ports on this industrial computer come capped to protect against liquid or other contaminants. The availability of Intel Wireless AC-7260 and Bluetooth connections also diminish the need for cabling which reduces potential ingress.

The S-series industrial Panel PC line can be safely operated from 32  to 104°F (0 – 40°C), is rated to be shock and vibration resistant, and has versatile mounting options. The rugged computers are offered in a variety of sizes from 15” to 22” to suit any space and operate without any fans to further bolster its cleanliness. It’s disturbing to consider what could potentially hide in a computer on an industrial floor when fans are continually sucking in the dirty ambient air.

As more perishable and sensitive meat products have become popular in the market, particularly pre-packaged convenience foods, the need for proper sanitation in meat handling has increased. The microbial content of food products needs to be low enough to prevent spoilage during distribution and to guarantee an adequate shelf life once it reaches the store. Tangent’s prime directive is to provide top quality industrial computers to not only meet the requirements of business such as meat processing and distribution facilities, but to exceed them. Public health scares can largely be a thing of the past when industry standards align with forward-thinking technology. The S-series industrial computers from Tangent promote safety and perform to support a business’ bottom line.

A Solid Standard for Cleanliness

Michelle

A Solid Standard for Cleanliness

 

We’ve mentioned ISO standards in the past regarding safety metrics  for electrical components like PCs, but did you know that the International Organization for Standards has published well over twenty thousand standards? Their work covers almost every industry, and every aspect of technology and manufacturing, providing guidance and rating descriptions for each product, service or system they assess. That sounds both amazing and like overkill at the same time, but it certainly makes sense to have a stringent rating system available when trying to determine the quality, cleanliness, or safety of something before utilizing it. This is especially highlighted in highly sensitive areas that require strictly controlled work environments.

Controlling contamination is essential in many manufacturing and research activities, and so effective clean rooms are of paramount importance to those companies. As you may have guessed, the ISO has a series of standards dedicated to clean rooms, defining practices and procedures required to manage the risk of contamination. The ISO rating of a clean room can determine a great deal about how trustworthy and accurate the work being done inside is. But a clean room contains much more than just a secured enclosure. Specialized equipment, including computers, must also be secured to ensure they don’t diminish the quality of contaminate control and affect it’s rating.

Specialized mini PCs like the Tangent Rugged O were especially designed with these requirements in mind. The Rugged O mini PC’s innovative design allows for a fanless operation which means there are no moving parts or ventilation slots to circulate or collect dust contaminants. This  passive cooling technology allows heat from the CPU to transfer directly to the mini PC’s stainless steel housing, and ensures a reliable and noiseless function. The mini PC’s diminutive size and mounting bracket give it the flexibility to be affixed to most any surface. All the ports on the case are threaded and sealed to keep the internals protected and the outside environment clean. The mini PC’s stainless steel case in minimal in appearance for a good reason. The fewer grooves and edges on a PC, the fewer places for dirt and dust to collect. That’s not the end of the case’s features either. The Rugged O mini PC is IP65 certified and IP67 compliant. This IP rating ensures total protection from dust and provides waterproof reliability of up to a thirty-minute submersion. This means it’s also capable of withstanding industrial-grade cleaning solutions and thorough cleaning which is a common occurrence within clean rooms.

So how does an industrial mini PC of this caliber help bolster the ISO rating of a clean room? The ISO 14644 standard specifies air cleanliness in terms of the concentration of airborne particles in the clean rooms. The use and maintenance of a Tangent mini PC that has no fan, is sealed, is waterproof and can withstand corrosion is solid evidence of a concerted effort to conform to the ISO standards since it greatly reduces the potential presence of airborne particles. The standard for clean rooms has 16 different detailed parts to it, so it is of the utmost importance that the equipment deployed to a clean zone can meet the requirements to achieve a good rating and demonstrate the room’s efficacy.

Dressing the Part for Modern Industry

Michelle

Dressing the Part for Modern Industry

Interior design legend, Elise de Wolfe, once said that dressing well is largely a question of detail and accessories. As much as this philosophy applies to fashion and design, it can also be said that a great computer system is largely contingent on the details built into it, versatility of use, and available accessories for expansion of capabilities. For example, say that you need an industrial tablet to be a workhorse computer at a construction job site, but also need something to entertain your children in the evening. Many people would cite that these two scenarios are equally hazardous to the health of the tablet PC. Let’s consider that this same system also needs to be able to read smart cards (including credit cards) and barcodes. This sounds like a lot for a tablet to do but Tangent offers products that are not only fully featured themselves, but come built to survive harsh conditions and falls, and are also accessorized to suit many types of business needs.

 

Tangent’s industrial tablet PC, the R10, is encased with a durable and highly protective enclosure with rubber on the corners that also keeps the back of the case from getting scratched when the tablet is laid down flat. The industrial PC is tested to withstand drops from a distance of four feet up. Being jostled around a bit will not damage the internals as there are no moving parts; the PC is built with a fanless design to ensure extreme reliability and a noise-free operation. These details certainly come in handy when working outdoors, or when less-than-careful hands are swinging it around. The casing of the industrial PC is rated IP65 on the back panel and IP64 on the front panel against dust ingress and water spray. The USB ports are also covered to protect against contamination from dirt and liquids.

 

The processing unit of the industrial PC is no wimp, either. The tablet comes equipped with an Intel 3rd Gen Core i7 processor and up to 480 GB of solid state storage. This harks back to the point about there being no moving parts in the industrial PC. Up to 8GB of memory is also offered for the industrial tablet PC. Wireless and bluetooth capabilities come standard on the unit, as well as integrated audio and speakers. Another great feature for customization is F1 & F2 programmable keys for quick access to common commands.

 

And let’s talk about the accessories! The optional combo data input accessory offers a smart card, MSR, and fingerprint reader, along with capabilities for RFID and a barcode reader. This means one could scan an item and then accept payment for it. Of course, this is easier done when the tablet is stationary, so the industrial PC also has an optional desktop charging stand. If you find that a stand is unnecessary and want a smaller charging option, the included standard power module provides a non-intrusive power input for the unit and an added USB port. The many add-ons to the R10 industrial PC make it a beautifully versatile tool for a great range of computing needs.

Shaping up Shipping and Receiving : One Panel PC at a Time

Michelle

Shaping up Shipping and Receiving : One Panel PC at a Time

Staying on top of technological advancements for shipping and receiving operations is important for a good number of reasons, but the most pivotal are business process improvement for increased revenue, and ensuring safety in the workplace. E-commerce is greatly driving the need for detailed warehouse dock data as more businesses ship direct to customers. Online shoppers have grown accustomed to same-day delivery and real-time visibility into an order’s status.The shipping industry is now able to be centered around speed and accuracy while maintaining a safe work environment due to specialized computers like vehicle mounted PCs, handheld tablets catered to industrial use, and industrial panel PCs.

 

The majority of warehouse dock work and shipping processes rely on barcodes to identify and track the movement of inventory, and RFID and Geofencing (using GPS) are gaining popularity for tracking as well, so flexibility is important for the computer systems in use. Tangent has a variety of panel PCs to suit these ever-evolving needs of business. The Vita KW series fanless panel PCs offer a 2D barcode scanner, IC card reader, MSR, and RFID capabilities. Because screen size requirements vary for industrial settings, the Vita KWs come in 15”, 19”, 22”, and 24” touchscreen sizes. The Tangent F15 industrial grade panel PC can be equipped with a 3G module and with a GPS module. In terms of power and capacity, the Vita KW’s are equipped with Intel 6th Gen Core i3/i5 processors (except the 24”), up to two terabytes of storage, and 8GB of memory. In addition to robust computing speed, the systems are fanless and contain no moving parts, which is a huge benefit for enterprises looking to reduce downtime. Supply chain is all about streamlining and adhering to strict schedules, so a reliable and durable system is key.

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For forklift operators, vehicle-mounted industrial panel computers are usually the most productive and operationally safe option. Working a computer while operating a lift truck obviously carries some inherent risk. The aforementioned F15 model rugged tablet has ten programmable function keys on the front panel that allow for one-hand operation and efficiency for repetitive processes. The F15 Panel PC is also flexible in its mounting options. It has VESA 75/100 mounting capabilities for a number of applications, including in vehicles and forklifts. Another point of safety on the Tangent industrial panel PCs is that they are built to be IP65 or higher rated to protect against water and contaminant ingress into the system.  And who doesn’t love a bold safety orange on a tablet casing?

 

As businesses and consumers push for faster processing and more accurate data, flexible and customizable computing solutions from Tangent continue to provide the highest of quality and efficiency to its customers. The many panel PCs offered can be mounted in shop vehicles, on walls,  telescoping arms, or on stands. They can be configured for wifi, scanning/tracking technologies, and multi-touch features. They can withstand the wear and tear of a warehouse environment and the varying temperatures that might be encountered in them all over the globe.

 

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

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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