“What is an industrial computer?” Many colleagues who are new to industrial computers often raise this question. In essence, an industrial computer, also known as a programmable logic controller (PLC), is a specialized computing device designed for industrial applications.
Purpose and Functionality: It can be broadly understood as a computer tailored for use in industrial production to control the operation of production equipment and facilitate the transmission of production information. In industrial production, industrial computers, commonly known as industrial PCs, are specifically designed to monitor and control machinery, production processes, data parameters, etc., enabling intelligent production.
Differences from Personal Computers: These industrial computers differ significantly from traditional personal computers. While personal computers are used for activities such as watching movies, playing games, and online shopping, industrial computers are engineered for harsh industrial environments.
Challenging Environments: Industrial computers are frequently used in challenging environments such as control sites, toll stations, healthcare, environmental protection, communication, intelligent transportation, surveillance, voice systems, CNC machines, fuel dispensers, finance, petrochemicals, exploration, field portable applications, military, power, railways, highways, aerospace, subways, and other demanding conditions.
Key Characteristics of Industrial Computers: To meet the demands of industrial environments, industrial computers must possess specific characteristics:
- Robust Chassis: The chassis must have high resistance to magnetic interference, dust, and shock, often using all-metal chassis for strength.
- Industrial-Grade Motherboard: The motherboard adopts an industrial-grade dedicated backplane with PCI and ISA slots for specific functional expansion needs.
- Specialized Power Supply: The power supply requires special design to ensure stability and strong anti-interference capabilities.
- Long-Term Operation: Industrial computers adopt low-power designs to maintain stable operation for 7*24 hours under continuous power.
- Easy Installation: Industrial computers are designed for easy installation, often through standard chassis (1-4U standard chassis) or embedded installations.
In conclusion, industrial computers play a crucial role in intelligent industrial processes, offering robustness and functionality tailored to withstand challenging industrial environments.
