Industrial computers are the stronger, more durable counterparts of your PC. They have the same parts as that of regular PCs. However, what makes them different?
One might think that they should just use office PCs in an industrial setting as they have the same components. However, industrial computers are more durable. They can withstand the factory floor conditions that can damage regular computers. Moreover, industrial computers come in different types depending on the industry they are used. Because of this, they have an extensive role in industrial automation.
Manufacturing
At first glance, you can already say that the use of industrial computers in a factory is to control the robots that build the products. It is correct – but they can do more than that. Manufacturers use industrial PCs to create and assemble certain products with pin-point precision. They can also run automated checks on product quality, as well as on other machines involved in manufacturing. These characteristics of an industrial computer greatly benefit automobile and equipment manufacturing plants.
Asset Tracking and Inventory
Retailers and the healthcare industry use industrial computers to monitor assets and product inventory. System operators can track assets on-site or remotely with precision and efficiency. This is usually done to check any possible issues when processing the assets in the inventory.
Research and Development
Many industrial computers have powerful CPUs to create real-world simulations on a given data. Many scientists use these computers in research. Scientific breakthroughs today would not be possible if not for industrial computers. An operator simply inputs data into a simulation program, which in turn, generates realistic outcomes with analysis on possible risks, real-time imagery, and other attributes. Fields like engineering, mining, geology, and many others rely on industrial computers because of this.
Quality Control
Quality assurance is difficult to maintain when hundreds of goods are being produced in a short period of time. With the help of industrial computers, quality control becomes easier. Manufacturers can automate quality control of their products with machine vision as well as packaging inspection systems. In addition, there are systems where operators can input parameters to determine if a product passes or fails.
Data Collection
Another important role of industrial computers is the ability to monitor other factory equipment. They can gather data from other machines and equipment and check if these devices are still operational. This makes it easier to maintain the tools and equipment. Furthermore, industrial computers can gather environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, power regulation, and many others. Factory operators can then use these data to solve many problems that can alter industrial operations.
Conclusion
Industrial computers are a response to the demand for mass production and an automated industry. But these computers can do more than being another machine used in factories. From creating breakthroughs to creating and managing goods, industrial computers truly play an important role in industrial operations.
Now that you’ve known the importance and application of industrial computers, I think it’s a lot easier now to differentiate between your personal computer and an industrial machine.