Methods of Industrial Computing
Posted on June 8, 2008
This article explores the choices
available for computing in industry
Methods of Industrial Computing
The requirements of an industrial PC are 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.
Fortunately there are several options available
for industrial computing.
Protective Covers:
If an industrial area is dusty but there are
less of the other hazards that have been mentioned, then an inexpensive
solution is to use a conventional office PC fitted with protective dust covers.
Although not designed for environments with thick dust and grime, for areas
with just a moderate dusty atmosphere they may add sufficient protection and can
protect keyboards from dust and fluids, preventing sticky keys (and many an
unintended typo). Waterproof /dustproof Keyboards
and other peripherals (such as mouse) are also available. These covers and
peripherals are only recommended to be used with a conventional PC in an area
that is only mildly dusty/damp and not heavy dust-filled atmospheres. Some
protective covers offer limited waterproofing for areas where there is a risk
of minor splashing but they are not suitable for areas with larger quantities
of fluids such as wet rooms or areas
that are to be hosed down.
Industrial Computers:
Long seen as the only option for many
industrial applications, specialist industrial computers can be designed to
defend from anything. Some are
intrinsically sealed and completely airtight, allowing the machines to be
safely used even in highly explosive atmospheres. Others are manufactured as
solid state (without moving parts) making them rugged, enabling the computer to
withstand severe shocks and vibrations.
Some industrial computers are also built with
extra cooling allowing them to be used in the most extreme heat whilst others
contain heaters permitting their use in freezers or chillers. However, these
industrial computers can be extremely expensive, even though they can be made
bespoke to fit exact requirements. Also being sealed units, often with custom
software installed, when they need repairing and upgrading, an engineer has to
be called with the possibility of production having to halt until the machine
is back online. Also, as industrial computers are designed to last and can’t be
upgraded easily, they tend to offer poorer performance and fewer options than a
conventional PC, mainly because they are usually fitted with outdated
technology or technology that soon goes out of date, particularly with the
exponential rate computers advance.
Industrial PC Enclosures:
A far less inexpensive but an equally effective
method as an industrial computer is to us a conventional PC housed in an
industrial computer enclosure. These enclosures can perform the same tasks as a
bespoke industrial machine; protecting the PC from knocks, bangs, theft,
tampering and vibrations, waterproofing, protection from explosive atmospheres,
defence from dirt and grime, whilst heating and air conditioned enclosures to
allow computing in extreme temperatures. These enclosures also can be made
bespoke adding or subtracting requirements depending on the individual needs.
The main advantage of these enclosures is that
a conventional PC, with conventional software and components , is housed in the
enclosure and can be replaced or repaired at any time -allowing administrators
to upgrade the IT and keep the machines up-to-date. Also it allows computer
administrators to choose what PC will best suit their requirements and what
software is most efficient to run on it. Even budget PCs can be housed in
computer enclosures and as these enclosures can last for years it can make
industrial computing as affordable as conventional computing.
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: atmospheres, conventional office, conventional pc, damp, excessive temperatures, explosions, food manufacture, grime, heavy industry, industrial applications, industrial computer, industrial computers, inexpensive solution, office computer, peripherals, protective covers, sticky keys, thick dust, vibrations, waterproofing
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