I. Hardware Components of Industrial Control Computers
1. The motherboard is a key component of an industrial control computer.
For a good industrial PC, the motherboard is the most crucial component. The requirements for the motherboard are much stricter than those for commercial PCs. Korad industrial PCs use motherboards that are all independently developed. Each of our motherboards has different performance characteristics, allowing us to provide solutions for customers with diverse needs.
2. The CPU is the heart of the machine.
The CPU is the heart of a computer, also known as the Central Processing Unit or Microprocessor. It handles all information processing and data manipulation. The CPU directly affects the computer's operating speed and is a crucial factor in determining computer performance.
3. Memory is like the nervous system.
RAM acts as a bridge between the CPU and hard drive, and its size directly affects the data exchange speed between them, making it a crucial component of a computer. RAM is a storage component on the motherboard, directly communicating with the CPU and storing data within it. It is through RAM that a computer gains its memory function. It stores currently used programs and data; however, all stored information is lost when power is off.
4. The hard drive is the brain.
Hard drives are used to store computer data and information, and are an important component for external data storage. They are used for long-term storage of data and can perform read and write operations.
5. A network card is for communication.
A network interface card (NIC), also called a network adapter, is a network device used to create a local area network (LAN) and connect to the internet. The NIC is inserted into an expansion slot on the computer's motherboard. It has a port that connects to a network communication medium (such as twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, or fiber optic cable), allowing data exchange with the network and enabling resource sharing.
6. Sound card
A sound card is a key component of a multimedia computer, containing the hardware needed to record and play sound.
7. Graphics card
The main function of a graphics card is to process the instructions and data provided by the CPU during program execution, convert them into signals that the monitor can accept, and then send them to the screen for display. A graphics card mainly consists of several important components, including a graphics chip, video memory, a display BIOS, and a RAMDAC (Random Access Memory Converter).
8. Chassis
As the main carrier of industrial control computer components, the chassis's primary function is to fix and protect various components. Moreover, the size of the chassis directly affects the computer's expansion capabilities and performance.
II. How to solve industrial computer crashes
1. Regularly maintain the system.
Cause Analysis: Due to editing control programs and other reasons, other application software has been installed on the system. Too many applications will slow down the industrial control computer. Therefore, a comprehensive maintenance should be performed on the industrial control computer periodically. Click "Start → Programs → Accessories → System Tools → Maintenance Wizard," and then click the "OK" button to perform a comprehensive maintenance. This will keep the industrial control computer in optimal condition. It is also recommended to perform "disk defragmentation" once a month; defragmentation will speed up program operation.
2. Industrial control computer crashes caused by information blockage.
Cause Analysis: The central control room industrial computer (host computer) monitors and controls the S7-400 PLC (slave computer). When information is blocked, the fault symptom is: a "shadow" appears on the industrial computer screen at the monitoring signal location, and all signal values are zero. The host computer cannot monitor and control the slave computer. This fault is different from the "system crash" phenomenon mentioned above. The cause of this fault is information blockage, caused by a "system crash" of the slave computer or a fault in the network cable or network card, resulting in the host computer not receiving signals. In fact, the host computer is not actually "crashed." This fault occurred in early November 2001, due to poor contact of the network cable and network card, which prevented the host computer from monitoring and controlling the slave computer.
Troubleshooting: When a "shadow" appears on the host computer screen, first check the working status of the slave computer. The S7-400 PLC CPU module has various error indicator lights; operate according to the status of these lights. If the PLC "freezes," restarting the CPU with a key will restore normal operation. If there is a problem with the network cable or network card, the operator should immediately check for poor contact in the signal cable connectors of the host and slave computers. Gently pressing or wiggling each connector may help locate the fault.
3. It is recommended to upgrade the industrial control computer.
Currently, the above measures have significantly reduced the number of industrial PC crashes. However, due to the low hardware configuration and outdated software and control system versions of the host computer, its information processing speed is still relatively slow. It is recommended to upgrade the industrial PC by increasing CPU frequency, memory capacity, and hard drive capacity. This will greatly improve the information processing speed and prevent industrial PC crashes.
