The bar for certified equipment and hardware is particularly high in food processing industries, factory automation and production lines. This is particularly true when it comes to human-machine interfaces or sensitive peripherals. To prevent the ingress of dust, dirt or liquids, manufacturers rely on appropriately protected Panel PC systems.

With this in mind, all Panel PC models in the 'Orca' series from Bressner are designed with IP66 certification as standard. By configuring and adapting the housing structure, IP67 and even IP69K can also be achieved. The screen panel, which is normally made of Plexiglas, is replaced by a glass front and sealed with a special adhesive. This maximum upgrade means that the operating terminals can even withstand cleaning with high-pressure equipment.

To ensure their functionality, all products are also tested under harsh conditions with high-pressure cleaners or steam jets before delivery.

Stainless steel offers high protection

A SUS304-standardized stainless steel housing and a full-flat touch panel, which are part of the basic equipment of the series, protect the devices against oxidation and corrosion caused by water or acidic and alkaline liquids, such as those found in chemical manufacturing processes in vehicle construction or in sanitary facilities. The austenitic chromium-nickel steel makes it more difficult for germs and bacteria to spread due to its low carbon content and electropolishing. This is particularly advantageous for industries with strict hygiene guidelines.

In some applications - for example in chemical plants - where strong acids or solvents are used, Bressner also offers the option of installing SUS316 housings. Compared to type 304, this stainless steel also has a molybdenum content of 3 %, which further improves corrosion resistance. Residual contamination can be completely avoided thanks to a gapless structure between the full-flat touch panel and the housing covers.

In addition, the 'Orca' series is equipped with a heat sink that uses internal cooling to eliminate sources of contamination that can normally occur due to external heat sinks. A so-called heat pipe, which is attached to the central processor unit, is used for this purpose. Due to the thermal properties of the heat pipe, a large amount of heat can be conducted from the CPU directly to the outside via the housing. The fanless design also enables a low noise level during operation.

But how can the monitors be mounted in the workplace? In addition to a classic VESA mount, the panel PCs can be securely attached to their destination using a wall-mount frame or a table-mount stand. A standardized, U-shaped metal frame is used for both devices, which is either screwed onto work surfaces or walls. The 'Orcas' can then be rotated and fixed to the inlets on the left and right side of the housing using screw handles. Thanks to the vertical alignment of the external inputs and outputs, the devices remain space-saving and easy to install.

Connections protected from external influences

In the food and beverage industry as well as in machine tools and factory automation machines, there are strict requirements for housing technology and hardware equipment. The 'Orca' Panel PC models meet these requirements: thanks to a combination of zinc alloy and nickel-plated metal, all Panel PC interfaces and the AC/DC power adapter are extremely robust against mechanical deformation. The series' connection options include serial ports as standard, USB inputs (also available with USB 3.0 on request) and LAN connections for gigabit bandwidths.

Standardized M12 screw caps are used for all connections in the 'Orca' series.

© Bressner

Standardized M12 screw caps are used for all connections, making it virtually impossible for dust and liquids to penetrate the sensitive electronics. This also ensures the mechanical stability of the housing as well as the optical properties and bandwidths of fiber optic and copper cables.

In the operational environment, audio output is often required in addition to visualization - for example, for acoustic signals in automated control systems for baking processes, assembly line production or metal and milling operations. The 'Orca' devices are also equipped for this, as they can be fitted with 2- or 5-watt loudspeakers. Thanks to a hydrophobic membrane on the inside, the IP protection class can be maintained without impairing the sound or display quality.

Surface operation with gloves

The LED LCD front panels are available with screen diagonals of 15, 19 and 21.5 inches and can be offered in various resolutions (up to Full HD) depending on the model size. A resistive touch display comes as standard, which can be operated with any work gloves thanks to its pressure-sensitive properties. Alternatively, a projected capacitive touchscreen (PCAP) can also be installed, similar to that used in smartphones or tablet computers. This is particularly suitable for implementing multi-touch applications, but does not allow operation with conventional input pens or thick gloves due to the sensor technology. Special rubberized touch pens or thin vinyl or latex gloves can still be used without any problems.

Screen brightness is also an important point in an industrial context. Inside buildings, a screen brightness of 400 cd/m² is usually sufficient. However, if the Panel PC systems are exposed to the weather or direct sunlight, visibility is significantly reduced. To prevent this effect, a high-brightness LCD can be installed, which enables a luminance of up to 1000 cd/m².

In the case of kiosk or ticket counter systems or in industrial environments where heavy tools are handled, for example, users often attach importance to protection against vandalism. For this reason, Bressner also offers the 'Orca' model displays in tempered glass at the customer's request.

Author: Athanasios Koutsouridis is Marketing Manager at Bressner.