Industrial PCs (IPCs) are used in manufacturing to produce goods and services, featuring an architecture that bridges the gap between webcams and servers. Industrial PCs demand higher reliability and precision standards and are typically more expensive than consumer electronics. They often use complex instruction sets, such as x86 architecture, or simplified instruction sets. They can run systems like Android, Microsoft, and Linux. To meet the control needs of industrial manufacturing machinery, IPCs serve as a front-end for another control computer in a distributed processing environment. External or expansion hardware and digital I/O cards make IPCs one of the most powerful and easy-to-use controllers in factory applications. They offer different capabilities from home office PCs in terms of reliability, compatibility, expansion options, and long-term availability. Depending on the application requirements, expansion cards are installed to provide analog and digital I/O, machine-specific interfaces, expanded communication ports, etc. IPCs are generally installed inside production lines and independent machinery, where wired broadband access and Wi-Fi networking are inconvenient. Therefore, 4G communication modules, industrial-grade IoT SIM cards, and wireless routers are the primary means of networking for IPCs.
Technology Deployment
IPCs prioritize stability in various environments, such as beverage production line control and automotive production line control. Stability is crucial in harsh environments, requiring features like dustproofing, waterproofing, and anti-static properties. In application scenarios, remote control and networking are necessary. Therefore, in mobile, independent settings, networking and remote control of multiple devices require a wireless broadband network. The Xinyangbang 4G industrial router uses a SIM card to connect to the carrier's network, allowing IPCs to connect via Ethernet or WiFi. It features automatic recovery after network outages and a built-in VPN, enabling the establishment of a corporate LAN. This allows all devices to be remotely controlled and their operational status monitored using IP address resolution within the same LAN. It also supports scheduled/traffic flow control and bidirectional network interaction with serial devices. Currently, the combination of IPCs and the Xinyangbang 4G industrial router is widely used in various fields such as communications, industrial automation, medical, environmental protection, aviation, and commercial vending machines.
Advantages of the solution
IPC and 4G industrial routers have a more robust metal exterior structure compared to typical home or enterprise-grade non-rugged computers;
The enclosure shape, including wall mounting for harsh environments or rack installation;
It has a wider operating temperature range than ordinary routers, with a maximum temperature range of -40 to 75°C;
Strengthen environmental protection and stability, such as dust prevention and earthquake resistance;
More powerful controls and functions, and higher-level DC or terminal power supply access;
Using a security lock for control, it prevents theft and movement;
Access to I/O is controlled by using an encrypted access channel;
In the event of a failure, the network will automatically recover, and the watchdog timer will automatically reset the system.
