Industrial PC: Advanced Solutions for Industry

What Are Industrial PCs and Why Are They Essential

Industrial PCs are computers designed to operate in challenging environments, ensuring durability, reliability, and high performance. Unlike standard desktop PCs, these systems are built with robust components to withstand vibrations, extreme temperatures, and contaminants

Modern industries require computing solutions capable of managing complex production processes, monitoring facilities, and optimizing business management. Thanks to their features, industrial computers are used in sectors such as automation, logistics, energy, and transportation.

Types of Industrial PCs

Fanless PCs: Performance Without Fans

Fanless PCs are designed to operate without fans, eliminating issues related to dust and reducing the risk of failures. This design increases reliability, making them ideal for dusty industrial environments or those with variable temperatures.

Key advantages of fanless computers include:

• Silent operation
• Longer lifespan compared to traditional PCs
• Low maintenance due to the absence of moving parts

Panel PCs: Integration and Interactivity

Panel PCs combine the power of an industrial PC with a touchscreen, making them perfect for machinery control and industrial automation. They are available in various sizes and resolutions, with resistive or capacitive touch technologies.

Main features of a touchscreen panel PC:

• Robust structure to withstand shocks and vibrations
• High readability displays, even in bright environments
• Compatibility with software for managing industrial processes

Box PCs: Power and Flexibility

Box PCs are compact computers designed for installation in electrical cabinets or industrial systems. They can be customized with various hardware configurations, ensuring high performance and adaptability to production needs.

Some popular models include fanless box PCs, which combine the advantages of fanless architecture with the modularity of an embedded box.

Main Features of Industrial PCs

Industrial PCs are built with durable materials and certifications that ensure operation in challenging environments. They are designed to withstand:

• Humidity and dust
• High or sub-zero temperatures
• Vibrations and shocks

High-Performance Components

Many industrial computers are equipped with high-performance Intel or AMD processors, support ECC RAM for greater stability, and feature industrial SSDs for increased speed and reliability.

Advanced Connectivity

Industrial PCs offer a wide range of connections, including

• Expansion slots for PCIe and mini PCIe cards
• RS232/RS485 serial ports for integration with industrial machinery
• USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi for connection to corporate networks

Industrial PCs for Various Applications

Modern industries require robust and highly specialized computing solutions. Industrial PCs are used in various sectors to improve operational efficiency, ensure process continuity, and reduce downtime.

Industrial Automation: Precision and Reliability

In industrial automation, PLC PCs are the core of control systems, managing machines and plants with millimeter precision. These devices allow:

• Real-time operations without latency to ensure perfect synchronization of machines
• Integration with sensors, actuators, and artificial vision systems to optimize production processes
• Enhanced predictive maintenance through analysis of field-collected data

Touchscreen panel PCs are often used as Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), enabling operators to monitor and manage production with intuitive and immediate interaction.

Monitoring and Control: Intelligent Data Management

In the energy, logistics, and transportation sectors, industrial PCs play a fundamental role in real-time data monitoring and analysis.

• In electrical grids and photovoltaic plants, fanless box PCs are used to collect performance data and optimize energy consumption.
• In the railway and airport sectors, compact embedded computers are integrated into signaling, security, and traffic management systems.
• In automated warehouses, industrial PCs communicate with RFID readers and scanners to manage goods storage and movement.

Medical Sector: Hygiene and Uncompromised Reliability

The healthcare and biomedical fields require devices that ensure safety, reliability, and hygiene. In this context, fanless PCs are the ideal choice because:

• They do not generate airflows, reducing the risk of spreading contaminants in sterile environments.
• They support medical monitors and imaging devices, thanks to advanced connections and high graphic processing capabilities.
• They are used in analysis laboratories, operating rooms, and monitoring stations for real-time clinical data management.

Medical panel PCs, with antibacterial enclosures and healthcare certifications, are widely used in hospitals for direct patient interaction and clinical data visualization

How to Choose the Right Industrial PC

Choosing an industrial PC depends on several factors, including the operating environment, required performance, and compatibility with existing systems. An industrial computer must ensure reliability, durability, and scalability, adapting to the specific needs of the application sector.

Key Factors to Consider

1. Operating Environment
   • If the PC is used in environments with high humidity, dust, or extreme temperatures, it’s essential to choose a model with IP65 or higher certification for protection against dust and liquids.
   • Sectors like industrial automation or energy may require fanless PCs to avoid cooling and maintenance issues
2. Installation Type
   • Touchscreen panel PCs: ideal for production plants and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI).
   • Fanless box PCs: perfect for monitoring and control in challenging industrial environments.
   • Embedded computers: suitable for integrated systems requiring compact solutions.
3. Required Performance
   • High-performance Intel or AMD processors for complex applications.
   • ECC RAM to ensure stability in critical processes.
   • Industrial SSDs for superior speed and reliability compared to traditional HDDs.
4. Connectivity and Expandability
   • RS232/RS485, USB, and Ethernet ports for communication with other industrial devices.
   • PCIe and Mini PCIe expansion slots to add network cards or wireless modules
5. Industrial Certifications
   • IP65/IP67: resistance to dust and water.
   • ATEX: required for environments with explosion risks (e.g., petrochemical sector).
   • MIL-STD-810G: military standard for resistance to shocks and vibrations.

Factors to consider

Before purchasing an industrial computer, it is important to evaluate:

• Operating environment: dust, extreme temperatures, humidity
• Performance requirements: CPU, RAM and storage suitable for the application
• Installation type: Panel PC, Box PC or embedded computer
• Expandability and Connectivity: Available Expansion Ports and Modules

Comparison of Main Types of Industrial PCs

Feature	Touchscreen Panel PC	Fanless Box PC	Embedded Computer	PLC PC
Feature Main Use	Touchscreen Panel PC Process control, HMI	Fanless Box PC Automation, monitoring	Embedded Computer Integrated systems	PLC PC Machine control
Feature Cooling System	Touchscreen Panel PC Fanless or active	Fanless Box PC Fanless	Embedded Computer Fanless	PLC PC Fanless or active
Feature Expandability	Touchscreen Panel PC Limited	Fanless Box PC High	Embedded Computer Medium	PC PLC Limited
Feature Connectivity	Touchscreen Panel PC USB, RS232, LAN, Wi-Fi	Fanless Box PC RS232, RS485, USB, LAN	Embedded Computer RS232, USB	PC PLC RS485, Digital I/O
Feature Installation	Touchscreen Panel PC Panel or rack	Fanless Box PC Electrical cabinet	Embedded Computer Integrated	PLC PC Electrical cabinet
Feature Certifications	Touchscreen Panel PC IP65, ATEX (alcuni modelli)	Fanless Box PC IP65, MIL-STD-810G	Embedded Computer IP67 (some models)	PLC PC IEC 61131

Essential Certifications for Industrial PCs

• MIL-STD-810G: U.S. military standard that certifies a device’s resistance to extreme conditions, including shocks, vibrations, extreme temperatures, humidity, and dust. Often used for industrial and military devices.

• IEC 61131 – Standard internazionale che regola i controllori logici programmabili (PLC) per applicazioni di automazione industriale, definendo prestazioni, sicurezza e interoperabilità.

Application Examples by Sector

Choosing the most suitable industrial PC requires a careful analysis of operational needs. On HS-Italia, you’ll find a wide range of solutions including Panel PCs, Box PCs, Embedded Computers, and PLC PCs — all designed to ensure maximum performance and reliability.

Why Choose HS-ITALIA Industrial PCs?

Choosing HS-ITALIA means relying on a partner specialized in advanced hardware solutions for Industrial PC. We offer:

• A wide range of customizable industrial PCs
• Post-sales support and fast delivery
• Technical consulting to select the most suitable model

Our systems are designed to ensure performance, safety, and continuity in the most demanding industrial environments. Contact us to find the ideal solution for your business.

Discover the offer of industrial PCs on HS-ITALIA and find the perfect solution for you.