Industrial Computers ? Challenges of Computing in Industry
Posted on June 8, 2008
This article explains the challenges of
computing in industry and manufacturing and solutions available
Computing is as much a necessity in
manufacturing and industry as it is in the office sector. As well as the many automated
manufacturing processes that have to be controlled by a computer, many
applications such as stock control and despatch are now far more efficiently
achieved with the help of a processor. However, the needs of industry and
manufacturing are far different than those required of an office PC.
Most office hardware runs in optimum
conditions: nicely air-conditioned suites, free from dust, water and without
the risk of being banged or knocked by heavy machinery. Unfortunately the
demands of manufacturing and industry are quite different.
Many industrial environments are
dusty, dirty and grimy. Often temperatures can exceed recommendations for most
computer equipment (especially if the industrial environment contains a furnace
or freezer where operating conditions could be described as extreme) and fork
lift trucks and pallet trucks are zipping in and out of aisles.
The requirements of an industrial PC are
therefore a lot different to that of the needs for an office computer. The
needs of an industrial computer will also vary dramatically depending on the
industry itself. Computers used in food manufacture may have to be waterproof
and intrinsically sealed to prevent explosions in potentially explosive and dusty
atmospheres whilst also being made of stainless steel or other easy to clean
material; yet computers in heavy industry may have to also protect from dust
and dirt but be able to withstand excessive temperatures, knocks and
vibrations.
Demands are high for computing in industry.
Industrial machines have to cope with many hostile elements whilst also
providing reliable computing. Traditionally industrial computers have been
specific, bespoke machines. These industrial computers tend to run old hardware
and versions of software. Whilst this has the advantage of making the machines
stable and reliable, the out-dated technology may mean the processes controlled
by the machine are not done as efficiently. These machines are also very expensive
and have to be replaced periodically as the hardware and software will
eventually become obsolete.
A better solution to the varied and extreme
demands of computing in industry is to use just a conventional PC but housed in
an industrial PC enclosure. This has all the benefit of a traditional
industrial computer such as being able to withstand dirt, grime, dust, gas,
knocks, bangs, heat and cold whilst having the flexibility of a normal PC. Allowing
you to choose, repair, replace or upgrade your machine rather than awaiting an
engineer. These enclosures can also be reused and will last longer than an
industrial PC which will eventually fail (as all PCs do). However, the
enclosure can be reused long after the original computer will have expired.
With the demands of industrial computing so
variable and extreme , industrial PC enclosures offer a flexibility that even
conventional industrial computer can fail to match whilst also offering the
same protection and reliability for a fraction of the cost. PC enclosures are
ideal for even the most hostile industrial environment and while specialist PCs
will always be required for certain tasks the majority of uses for an
industrial computer can be achieved using a conventional PC housed in an
enclosure.
About the author
Richard N Williams is a technical author and a
specialist in the industrial computer industry helping to develop industrial computer
enclosures and protection for all environments.
Please visit us for more information about computer enclosure
solutions.
Tags: aisles, excessive temperatures, food manufacture, fork lift trucks, heavy industry, heavy machinery, hostile elements, industrial computer, industrial computers, industrial environment, industrial environments, manufacturing processes, office computer, office hardware, office sector, old hardware, optimum conditions, pallet trucks, reliable computing, stock control
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