Question 1

What is an Industrial Panel PC?

Accepted Answer

An Industrial Panel PC is a robust computing device designed for industrial environments, featuring a touchscreen display integrated with a computer. These systems are built to withstand harsh conditions including dust, moisture, temperature extremes, and vibration, while providing reliable operation for factory automation, control systems, and HMI applications.

Question 2

What makes a Panel PC 'industrial grade'?

Accepted Answer

Industrial grade Panel PCs feature rugged construction with IP65/IP66 front panel protection, extended temperature operation, shock and vibration resistance, fanless cooling for reliability, wide voltage input tolerance, and long product lifecycles designed for 24/7 operation in challenging environments.

Question 3

What is the difference between a Panel PC and an HMI?

Accepted Answer

While both provide operator interface functionality, a Panel PC is a full-featured computer running a standard operating system (Windows, Linux) that can host any software application. An HMI is typically a simpler device with an embedded operating system designed specifically for machine/process control with limited functionality beyond its control software.

Question 4

What mounting options are available for Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

Panel PCs typically offer multiple mounting options including panel mount (cutout installation in cabinets/enclosures), VESA mount (standard bracket mounting to walls or arms), and sometimes desktop stands. Some specialized models may offer additional mounting options for specific industries.

Question 5

What operating systems are supported on industrial Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

Most industrial Panel PCs support Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 11 Pro, and various Linux distributions like Ubuntu. The specific OS support depends on the hardware configuration, with some models offering pre-installed options or being compatible with multiple operating systems.

Question 6

What are the key features of the ARC Series Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

ARC Series Panel PCs feature multiple display sizes (10.1" to 21.5"), fanless Intel processors, multi-touch PCAP screens, rugged design for vibration and shock protection, IP65 front panel protection, wide voltage input range (9-36VDC), multiple I/O ports (USB, COM, LAN), and a service window for easy maintenance access.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the 'service window' feature on ARC Series Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

The service window provides easy access to internal components like memory modules and storage drives, allowing for maintenance and upgrades without complete disassembly of the unit. This feature reduces downtime during service operations in industrial environments.

Question 8

How does the wide temperature range operation benefit ARC Series Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

The wide temperature operation (typically -10°C to 50°C or wider) allows ARC Series Panel PCs to function reliably in diverse industrial environments including non-climate-controlled factories, outdoor installations, cold storage facilities, and hot manufacturing areas. This extended temperature tolerance eliminates the need for additional cooling or heating systems, simplifying installation and reducing overall system costs.

Question 9

What are the key features of the ARC-1209/ARC-1209-B Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

The ARC-1209/ARC-1209-B models feature a 12.1" XGA display (1024x768), fanless Intel processors (typically Celeron or Atom), multi-touch PCAP interface, IP65 front panel protection, multiple I/O ports including serial, USB, and LAN connections, and ruggedized design for industrial environments. The 'B' variant typically offers enhanced features or alternative configuration options.

Question 10

What are the main characteristics of the ARC-1232/ARC-1232-B Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

The ARC-1232/ARC-1232-B models feature a 12.1" WXGA display (1280x800), Intel processors, projected capacitive multi-touch, IP65 front protection, extensive I/O connectivity options, expansion capabilities via mini PCIe slots, wide operating temperature range, and robust construction for industrial applications. The 'B' variant typically includes updated specifications or enhanced features.

Question 11

What makes the ARC-1235/ARC-1235-B suitable for space-constrained industrial environments?

Accepted Answer

The ARC-1235/ARC-1235-B models feature a 12.1" display in a compact form factor, making them suitable for installations with limited space. Despite their smaller size, they maintain essential industrial features including IP65 front protection, wide temperature operation, multiple I/O ports, and robust construction. Their balance of compact dimensions and comprehensive functionality makes them ideal for machine-mounted HMI applications and control panels with space constraints.

Question 12

What is the purpose of the 'service window' feature on ARC Series Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

The service window provides easy access to internal components like memory modules and storage drives, allowing for maintenance and upgrades without complete disassembly of the unit. This feature reduces downtime during service operations in industrial environments.

Question 13

How does the wide temperature range operation benefit ARC Series Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

The wide temperature operation (typically -10°C to 50°C or wider) allows ARC Series Panel PCs to function reliably in diverse industrial environments including non-climate-controlled factories, outdoor installations, cold storage facilities, and hot manufacturing areas. This extended temperature tolerance eliminates the need for additional cooling or heating systems, simplifying installation and reducing overall system costs.

Question 14

What is IP65/IP66 protection and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

IP65/IP66 protection ratings indicate dust-tight (6) protection and resistance to water jets (5/6). This is essential for industrial Panel PCs that may be exposed to harsh factory environments with dust, splashes, or washdown procedures, ensuring reliable operation and longevity in challenging conditions.

Question 15

Why are fanless designs important in industrial Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

Fanless designs eliminate moving parts that could fail, prevent dust and contaminant ingress through ventilation openings, reduce maintenance requirements, increase reliability in high-vibration environments, and allow sealed enclosures for protection against harsh industrial conditions.

Question 16

What is PCAP multi-touch technology?

Accepted Answer

PCAP (Projected Capacitive) multi-touch technology allows multiple simultaneous touch points on the screen, enabling intuitive gestures like pinch-to-zoom. It offers better optical clarity than resistive touchscreens, with a durable glass surface resistant to scratches, though it requires bare finger or special stylus operation.

Question 17

What is a watchdog timer and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

A watchdog timer is a hardware-based timer that triggers a system reset if the software becomes unresponsive. This is crucial for industrial systems requiring high reliability and 24/7 operation, as it automatically recovers from software crashes or freezes without human intervention.

Question 18

What does wide voltage input range mean for Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

A wide voltage input range (typically 9-36VDC) allows Panel PCs to operate reliably in industrial environments with fluctuating power conditions. This provides flexibility in power source options and protection against voltage spikes and drops common in factory settings.

Question 19

What is TPM and why is it included in industrial Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a security chip that provides hardware-based encryption capabilities and secure storage for authentication credentials. In industrial settings, it helps protect sensitive data, secure communication channels, and ensure the integrity of control systems against unauthorized access.

Question 20

How are Panel PCs typically mounted in industrial environments?

Accepted Answer

Panel PCs are typically installed using panel mount (where the unit is fitted into a cutout in a control cabinet with mounting clips or screws), VESA mount (attached to arms or wall mounts using standardized mounting patterns), or sometimes with custom mounting solutions for specific applications.

Question 21

What cutout dimensions are needed for panel mounting?

Accepted Answer

Cutout dimensions vary by model and screen size. It's essential to refer to the specific Panel PC's installation guide for precise measurements. Most manufacturers provide detailed dimensional drawings showing the exact cutout size and mounting hole positions required.

Question 22

What environmental conditions should be considered when installing Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

Consider operating temperature range, humidity levels, exposure to dust or liquids, vibration/shock conditions, available power supply stability, electromagnetic interference sources, and ambient light conditions that might affect screen visibility when installing Panel PCs.

Question 23

Do Panel PCs require additional cooling?

Accepted Answer

Most industrial Panel PCs are designed with fanless cooling systems that dissipate heat through the chassis. While they typically don't require additional cooling, it's important to ensure adequate air circulation around the unit and to avoid installing them in locations that exceed their specified operating temperature range.

Question 24

What power supply requirements should be considered for Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

Consider voltage requirements (typically 9-36VDC), current/power consumption specifications, power supply stability, surge protection needs, and whether battery backup or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is necessary for critical applications to prevent data loss during power interruptions.

Question 25

What should I do if the touchscreen becomes unresponsive?

Accepted Answer

First, try restarting the Panel PC. If the issue persists, check if the touch driver is installed and functioning properly, verify the touchscreen cable connection, ensure the operating environment is within specifications (especially for capacitive screens in high humidity), and check for physical damage to the screen surface.

Question 26

How can I resolve overheating issues with fanless Panel PCs?

Accepted Answer

To address overheating: ensure the Panel PC is installed with adequate clearance for passive cooling, check that the ambient temperature is within specified operating range, clean dust buildup on cooling fins/chassis, verify that CPU-intensive applications aren't causing excessive load, and consider adding external cooling to the enclosure if necessary.

Question 27

What causes Panel PCs to restart unexpectedly?

Accepted Answer

Unexpected restarts can be caused by unstable power supply, overheating, hardware failures, software issues, or watchdog timer activations due to system hangs. Check power stability, environmental conditions, system logs for error messages, and consider disabling the watchdog timer temporarily for diagnostic purposes.

Question 28

How can I improve the visibility of the Panel PC screen in bright environments?

Accepted Answer

To improve visibility in bright environments, adjust the screen brightness to maximum, install an anti-glare shield or hood, position the Panel PC to avoid direct light sources, consider a higher-brightness model (500+ cd/m²) for new installations, or apply an anti-reflective film designed for industrial displays.

Question 29

What should I do if Windows fails to boot on my Panel PC?

Accepted Answer

If Windows fails to boot, try booting in Safe Mode, use System Restore to revert to a working state, run startup repair from recovery options, check for hardware issues (particularly storage drives), verify BIOS/UEFI settings are correct, or restore from a system image backup if available.

ARC-1209

ARC-1209

Frequently Asked Questions