When making a new network for your facility, there are many things to consider. Should you invest in smart factory infrastructure entirely? How many networks should your factory have? How many switches and routers do you need? While these are some of the most pressing questions, the question of the actual computers that will comprise the network should not be overlooked. While traditional computers rely on switches to create a network across multiple computers, there are other options that can be more effective. Industrial computers from Tangent can create networks via switches or simply by being connected to one another, allowing for more choices in your network building process.
Industrial Computers Are Perfect For Complex Systems
Complex networks require advanced infrastructure, and industrial computers from Tangent are more than advanced enough to be the building blocks for your factory’s network. Tangent’s lineup of rugged computers are built for the factory setting. These rugged computers can withstand temperatures from -40°F to 185°F with ease, making them perfect for nearly any facility.
In addition to this wide operating temperature range, rugged computers from Tangent are specially designed for every industrial need, including the creation of complex networks. Every rugged computer from tangent has, at minimum, two Ethernet ports. This allows Tangent’s rugged computers to connect to two networks at once, allowing for the daisy chaining of rugged computers.
More Ethernet Ports: More Networks
While it is common to see the use of centralized networks in most facilities, the use of decentralized networks is not to be ignored. Decentralized networks differ from centralized networks in that instead of every computer being connected to one network, computers are networked to each other directly. This has distinct advantages in certain situations, namely that a large bandwidth use by one computer does not slow the whole network down.
One way to accomplish a decentralized network is with industrial computers from Tangent. Rugged computers like the Rugged Mini FX come standard with four separate Ethernet ports. With four Ethernet pots, this rugged computer can connect to four separate networks. This means that it can potentially connect to four other industrial computers, which are all in turn connected to three other computers, and so on. Or, the Rugged Mini FX can connect to three industrial computers and a separate, centralized network. The possibilities with multiple Ethernet ports are endless.
If four Ethernet ports are not enough for your complex system needs, then the Rugged Mini C from Tangent is the way to go. This industrial computer has a whopping six Ethernet ports. This nearly absurd amount of Ethernet ports allows the Rugged Mini C to potentially connect to six separate networks. With an optional solid state drive, this industrial computer can make the most out of its six Ethernet ports.
Complex Systems Don’t Have To Be A Complex Headache
With industrial computers from Tangent, creating complex systems doesn’t have to be a chore. Industrial computers can help you create complex networks that are ready to help your facility transition into a smart factory.
It’s not everyday that you decide to update your facility’s legacy equipment, and there’s a lot of questions to be considered. Should you focus on buying hardware for specific tasks, or instead purchase multipurpose units that can be used in various situations? While each side has its benefits and downsides, a compromise between the two can actually net productive results. While it may seem as though multi-use hardware is prone to not being specific enough, this could not be further from the truth. When it comes to industrial computers, customization options do not impede the industrial computer’s ability to perform specific tasks. In fact, customization options for industrial PCs can actually help these PCs with specific tasks in fashions that pigeonholed industrial PCs cannot.
Industrial Panel PCs: Customizable To The Limit
Industrial Panel PCs are some of the most versatile industrial PCs available, and it is easy to see why. Panel PCs are industrial PCs that are all-in-one PCs, that is, they do not require mice or keyboards to operate. Instead, they utilize a sensitive touchscreen for input. Much like a tablet, the entire panel PC is contained behind the screen. This allows Panel PCs to operate in spaces where traditional industrial PCs could not fit either because no desk space is available for simply no space in general is available. With Panel PCs, industrial computing power can be available anywhere in a facility at any time.
VITA KW Line Of Panel PCs
VITA KW Line Of Industrial Computers
Taking the notion of fitting anywhere to its limit, the VITA KW line from Tangent is one line of panel PCs that can truly fit anywhere. With options ranging from 15”, 19”, 22”, 24”, the VITA KW line is sure to have an option tailored to your space requirements. In as little as 15 inches, the VITA KW can turn a space into a fully fledged industrial workstation. In larger areas, the 25 inch VITA KW is perfect as a traditional workstation. While the all-in-one nature of these panel PCs means that they can operate without mice or keyboards, they are more than capable of utilizing these peripherals. The VITA KW line is designed to fit into your world, not the other way around.
S Series Of Panel PCs
S Series Of Industrial Computers
Much like the VITA KW line from Tangent, the S Series from Tangent is features a range of sizing options for every occasion. From 15″, to 19″, to 22″ the S Series is ready to fit into your workstations. The S Series features a stainless steel enclosure that is IP69K certified fully waterproof. The IP69K rating is the highest IP rating available, making the S Series some of the most versatile industrial PCs on the market. This high IP rating makes the S Series perfect for environments where dust and water are facts of life, and can be expected to operate in perfect order in such areas.
VITA 474 Panel PC
VITA 474 Industrial Computer
An outlier in the VITA line, the VITA 474 from Tangent stands alone in its wide operating temperature range. The VITA 474 is capable of operating between -4ºF – 122ºF. This makes the 474 industrial PC perfect for both refrigerated facilities and foundries, as well as any facility in between. In addition to this extensive operating temperature range, the VITA 474 comes ready to perform with RFID technology and an Intel Skylake processor.
F15 Panel PC
F15 Industrial Computer
Not every panel PC needs to be mounted to a wall or desk. The F15 from Tangent doubles as both a panel PC and industrial PC Tablet. This dual nature makes the F15 the ultimate customizable panel PC, as the ability to transform from desktop to tablet offers a wide range of applications. On the desk, workers can take advantage of its powerful Intel I7 processor and 2 terabyte solid state drive to work with the beefiest industrial programs. In hand, workers can expect lightning fast response times with Intel Wireless AC-7260 & Bluetooth technology. When mounted on industrial vehicles, workers can utilize multiple programmable function keys to perform actions with one hand. With the F15, the possibilities are truly endless.
Panel PCs: So Much More Than Tablets
When it comes to deciding between specific task oriented industrial PCs and customizable industrial PCs, don’t pigeonhole your workers. Panel PCs from Tangent offer a sensible middle ground between the two, offering both customization options and task-oriented features.
While some industrial spaces restrict the amount of dust circulating throughout the facility, the matter of the fact is that most industrial facilities harbor dust and other pollutants. While workers can easily avoid this dust, their industrial computers may not be as lucky. Typical industrial computers require outside air be brought into the case in order to cool off the delicate central processing units (CPUs), normally via a fan based cooling system. Without proper cooling, CPUs can overheat, rendering the entire industrial computer useless.
However, the very same system that preserves the integrity of the CPU can actually cause long term harm as well. Fan based cooling systems excel in environments where air is filtered on a regular basis, such as in offices or at home, but falter when used in dusty environments. CPUs are cooled when their fans pass cool air through what is known as a heat sink, which appears as a metal comb elongated so that it’s teeth are inches wide. Typically, heat transfers from the CPU to the teeth of the heat sink, where cool air circulated by the fan removes the heat from the heat sink to the outside of the case.
In a dusty environment, the air brought in by the industrial computer’s fan slowly builds up along the channels between the heat sink’s teeth. Overtime, the heatsink’s channels begin to be impassable to fresh air, and the heatsink has no way of expelling heat. The heatsink continuously heats up, and eventually the excess heat begins damaging the CPU.
Fanless Computers: Working Where Others Can’t
Fanless computers are an elegant solution to this conundrum, circulating no air throughout the body of the industrial computer. Without a fan, no dust builds up in the industrial computer and it remains functional even in the dustiest of environments. Fanless computers function in the same way traditional industrial computers operate, except that they feature a passive cooling system.
This passive cooling system is just as, if not more, reliable than fan based cooling systems without opening up the industrial computer to the dusty environment it exists in. The industrial PC fanless solution solves one of the biggest problems for industrial computers, opening them up to a wider range of use.
Industrial PC Fanless Solution: Rugged Mini E3
The Rugged Mini E3 Is One Industrial PC Fanless Solution
Without a fan, the Rugged Mini E3 from Tangent makes full use of the industrial PC fanless solution. Capable of working environments where temperatures can reach up to a scorching 158°F, the Rugged Mini E3 is one fanless computer that proves fans are not necessary to maintain proper cooling. With up to 32 gigabytes of RAM and a 6th Intel processor, the Rugged Mini E3 fanless computer can easily handle any industrial program you throw at it.
Industrial PC Fanless Solution: Rugged Mini S
The Rugged Mini S Is One Industrial PC Fanless Solution
Proving that industrial computing power does not have to be limited to a desk, the Rugged Mini S from Tangent is built to be used on the go. As an in-vehicle computer, the Rugged Mini S is capable of utilizing a wide range of voltages starting as low as 9 VDC and up to 28 VDC. With this kind of versatility, the Rugged Mini S fanless computer is the perfect companion for nearly every worker in a vehicle. With built-in Wifi and Bluetooth, the Rugged Mini S is capable of being used anywhere in a facility, and especially while on the move.
Industrial PC Fanless Solution: Rugged Mini G
The Rugged Mini G Is One Industrial PC Fanless Solution
Whether it’s in a mill, foundry, or factory, the Rugged Mini G Fanless Computer from Tangent is ready to excel. With an operating temperature range of 14° to 131°F, the Rugged Mini G is capable of handling life in facilities with wide fluctuations in temperature with ease. This fanless computer comes with either Wall Mount, VESA 75/100, or DIN Rail mounting systems, making it a flexible addition to your industrial computer fleet.
Industrial PC Fanless Solutions: The Right Choice
While every facility has its own unique needs, there is not a single one that won’t benefit from the introduction of fanless computers. With fanless computers, your industrial computers can operate longer with less maintenance and perform in environments where their fan based peers simply cannot.
When it comes to the industrial sector, having the right industrial computer for the job is crucial to maintaining a productive facility. That’s why at Tangent, we thoroughly examine every possible role that our high performance industrial computers can play in a facility and design them accordingly. At Tangent, we examine industry trends and needs in order to maintain and improve the broadest possible lineup of industrial computers.
While all of Tangent’s industrial computers are designed to last for years in rugged environments, there are features and options that make each individual industrial PC unique. Here are some of Tangent’s top high performance industrial computers that are built for high performance and productivity in the most rugged environments.
VITA KW Line
VITA KW Line Of Industrial Computers
The VITA KW line of high performance industrial computers from Tangent features three different sizes for every industrial need. These all-in-one industrial PCs come in 15, 19, and 22 inch wide models, ensuring that there is a VITA KW for every workstation regardless of available space. Featuring Intel 6th Generation processing units, the VITA KW line has enough power to handle bulky industrial software with ease. Not only can these industrial computers withstand the most intensive industrial software, but they can also handle some of the harshest industrial environments. With a fanless cooling system, the VITA KW can operate in environments where dust, metal shavings, and other pollutants are a fact of life without needing to be regularly cleaned. With an IP65 rated water resistant front panel, these industrial computers are built to withstand any and all environments.
S Series
S Series Of Industrial Computers
If your facility handles liquids that have the potential to leak out at any time, then the S Series of high performance industrial computers from Tangent is the solution for you. The S Series was built for liquid handling facilities, allowing workers to operate their industrial computer in any part of the facility regardless of its proximity to liquids. The S Series is IP69K certified waterproof, able to withstand both dust and liquid intrusion to the highest degree possible. This allows workers to use these industrial computers anywhere in a liquid handling facility, or with wet hands without consequence. With flexible mounting options, the S Series of industrial computers is truly built to operate anywhere in a liquid handling facility.
V474
VITA 474 Industrial Computer
When multitasking is more than just a buzzword, the V474 industrial computer from Tangent is the way to go. With 32 gigabytes of RAM, the V474 is capable of handling multiple industrial programs at once. Whether it’s solidworks, warehouse management software, or simply dozens of web browser tabs, the V474 is capable of handling them all simultaneously. With multiple I/O ports of various typing, this high performance industrial computer can also serve to monitor multiple lines of production at once. Not only is the V474 industrial computer a versatile multitasker, but it can withstand temperatures of up to 122ºF with ease.
F15
F15 Industrial Computer
Blending the flexibility of an industrial computer tablet with the robustness of a standard industrial PC, the F15 industrial computer from Tangent is the perfect in-vehicle computer. With both VESA and M8 heavy-duty screw mounting systems, the F15 high performance industrial computer is capable of being mounted on nearly every industrial vehicle. Featuring 10 programmable function keys, the F15 is capable of being operated by vehicle drivers with one hand without distracting them from driving. Built-in Wifi enables the F15 to stay connected to your facility’s network regardless of where the industrial PC is mounted. Workers need not worry about accidentally parking their forklift in an area with liquid exposure, as every panel of the F15 is IP65 rated water resistant and will not be damaged.
R14
R14 Industrial PC Tablet
Powerful computing does not have to be limited to mounted industrial computers; the R14 industrial PC tablet from Tangent proves this with a powerful Intel 8th generation quad core processor. The R14 high performance industrial PC tablet makes no sacrifices in the power department in order to be portable, with some of the latest Kaby Lake R SoC integrated CPU architecture and a powerful nVidia Geforce GTX 1050 graphics card. The R14 is perfect for workers who are constantly on the move, but whose job requires constant access to powerful industrial programs. Blending power and portability, the R14 allows on-the-move workers the flexibility to multitask across a wide range of programs with its 32 gigabytes of RAM. With a lightweight and rugged Magnesium chassis, the R14 high performance industrial PC tablet is easily carried and can withstand the occasional accidental drop without damage.
P13
P13 Industrial Computer Tablet
When working with large files, it can be frustrating to wait long periods of time as the data transfers from one industrial PC to another. The P13 industrial PC tablet from Tangent elegantly solves this dilemma by being both a high performance industrial PC tablet and mounted computer. With standard VESA mounting, the P13 industrial PC tablet can be quickly and easily transformed into a workstation PC. On the move, the P13 has hot-swap battery technology allowing for nearly 24/7 use. Simply plug in a charged battery, use the P13 for up to six hours, then simply replace the exhausted battery with a freshly charged one for another six hours of industrial use.
R10
R10 Industrial Computer Tablet
High temperature resistance does not have to be limited to just mounted industrial PCs, the R10 industrial PC tablet from Tangent can withstand high temperatures while also being mobile. The R10 high performance industrial PC tablet is perfect for workers in environments where temperatures can vary widely. Being able to withstand temperatures of up to 104°F, the R10 is capable of being a worker’s goto industrial PC tablet for working on the move. With up to a 480 gigabyte solid state drive (SSD), the R10 promotes computing, being able to write and retrieve data in its storage far faster than traditional computers. When the speed of its SSD is combined with the functionality of its programmable function keys, the R10 industrial PC tablet is the fastest way for workers to respond to workplace emergencies.
P10
P10 Industrial PC Tablet
While all of Tangent’s industrial PCs have a satisfactory amount of I/O ports, the P10 industrial PC tablet has a near excessive amount of them. With 12 I/O ports of various typing, the P10 is perfect for situations where multiple peripherals are in use at once. To complement this wide range of I/O ports, the P10 also has a VGA port for a second monitor. This allows the P10 high performance industrial PC tablet to take full advantage of its I/O ports by giving the P10 enough screen space for every input. With all these I/O ports, the P10 can quickly become a jungle of cables. Anticipating this, Tangent has designed the P10’s docking system with an advanced cable management system that turns the jungle of cables into a neat garden.
High Performance Industrial Computers: Every Occasion, Every Use
With such a wide variety of high performance industrial computers, there is sure to be one that solves a problem in your facility. High performance industrial PCs from Tangent are purpose built to serve workers in every field when traditional commercial grade computers simply will not do.
It’s a both awe-inspiring, and terrifying prospect: a fully automated factory. While there are debates surrounding the use of such facilities, a fully automated facility is still some time away. Scott Anderson, director of Amazon Robotics Fulfillment recently said in an interview with Reuters that the technology needed to automate an entire Amazon facility was still at least a decade away. Until then, the prospect of automating every aspect of a manufacturing facility remains just as unlikely as occurring. However, this does not mean that there aren’t ways of upgrading your facility with automation technology, and increasing efficiency and reducing cost in the process.
Industrial grade computers are the backbone of any modern-day manufacturing facility, and rightly so. Industrial grade computers serve as a bridge between automation and good old fashioned labor, allowing for workers to finish jobs that used to take hours in just minutes. Just like how Email reduced the waiting time for correspondence from days to seconds, industrial-grade computers have exponentially increased worker productivity. Their use in quickening tasks extends beyond operating as workstations; industrial grade computers can help turn your facility into a smart facility.
Creating Networks
One of the rising uses of industrial grade computers is the creation of facility wide networks. These networks can be used to monitor sensors, change up the production line, and even provide real time reports on errors and issues. Industrial grade computers, like the Rugged Mini C from Tangent, feature up to eight ethernet ports for connectivity. These ethernet ports can each handle up to 2.5 GT/s of data transfer, allowing the Mini C to easily communicate information from one end of the facility to the other with lightning speed. The Mini C’s small form factor, less than that of a cereal box, combined with flexible mounting options allows this industrial grade computer to be placed anywhere and everywhere.
Going Where Workers Can’t
While it would be nice to have a worker perform real time analysis of site that’s underwater, freezing cold, or freezing hot 24/7, this simply just is not possible. That’s where industrial grade computers like the Rugged Mini O from Tangent come in. The Rugged Mini O is IP69K certified water and dust proof, allowing for it to be used in situations where workers simply cannot be. This IP69K rating is complemented by an extreme operating temperature range of -40°F to 185°F. This industrial grade computer can be mounted in locations where other computers simply could not, and become a vital part of your industrial grade computer network.
Staying Safe And Secure
With every new leap in automation technology, there is an equal leap in the ability of phishers and hackers to hijack your facility. These hackers may be benign malevolent, but either way keeping them out of your facility is a top priority. As more components of your facility become automated, it is important to keep the software of each individual device up to date. This can help reduce the likelihood of hackers being able to find backdoors into your systems. Industrial grade computers like the Rugged Mini E3 from Tangent come equipped with a trusted platform module from Infineon. This security module can help beef up the security protocols of your network by employing cryptography and encryption algorithms to protect the integrity and authenticity of embedded devices and systems.
Automation: It’s On The Way
While automation is nowhere near ready for full deployment, it is on the horizon. Keeping your facility up to date with the latest industrial grade computers can help bridge the gap between modern-day labor and the future of automation.
It’s a big world out there, full of not only people — but competition. Each and every day, technology is advancing in all fields, with industrial fields being no exception. While it may be nice to think that one can always stay at the forefront of industrial technology, doing so would be extremely cost-prohibitive. That’s one of the main reasons why legacy equipment is so common in the industrial sector: new equipment can cost a small fortune while your legacy equipment hums away without issue. While using legacy equipment is common practice, there are cost-effective ways of “upgrading” this equipment and gaining the upper hand over competition in the process.
Tangent S Series 19″
Optimize Readouts
Whether your legacy equipment is ten or twenty years old, industrial grade computers can serve as well overdue upgrade without breaking the bank. Older legacy equipment may not seem as though it can benefit from co-mingling with industrial grade computers, but this could not be further from the truth. Industrial grade computers, like the Tangent S Series can become a natural extension of legacy equipment. When hooked up to a video camera, the S Series industrial grade computer panel can serve as a remote access interface to perform readouts on equipment. If hooked up to sensors and other equipment, the S Series can be used to remotely control features of the legacy equipment from the comfort of an office. With sixteen gigabytes of RAM, the S Series can handle multiple video camera inputs at once, becoming a hub for viewing your legacy equipment.
Rugged Mini C
Network Sensors
Speaking of hubs, creating a sensor network around your facility can help mitigate rising problems before they have a chance to affect production. Many forms of legacy equipment produced in the last twenty years have input/output ports in the form of ethernet ports. With an industrial grade computer like the Rugged Mini C from Tangent, these ethernet ports can be hijacked to turn the equipment into a makeshift sensor network. The Rugged Mini C can be customized to have up to eight ethernet ports compared to most commercial grade computer’s singular port. This allows the Mini C to read information from multiple legacy equipment at once, and with the proper IT magic, spoof a program to act as a brain for the equipment.
Rugged Mini E3
Customization Options
There’s no one size fits all solution to updating your legacy equipment. Many forms of updating legacy equipment amount to jury-rigging a customized solution for every situation. That’s why having a large selection of customization options for your industrial grade computers is so important, as these choices allow you to create custom solutions that are the best for each problem. Take the Rugged Mini E3 for instance, which is an industrial-grade computer that can be customized to have up to thirty two gigabytes of RAM, allowing it to run a plethora of programs simultaneously. Or the R14 Industrial Grade Computer tablet, which can serve as a mobile industrial-grade computer for workers who are constantly on the move. For every situation, there’s an industrial-grade computer that can be customized to thrive in.
Not every computer is created equal, and not every computer is able to handle the harsh environments present in the industrial setting. With oil production on the rise in the United States, keeping your refineries and drilling platforms operating is crucial to staying competitive. At Tangent, we have created a full line of waterproof computers, waterproof tablets, and waterproof monitors that are not only perfect for industrial use, but can withstand the wet environments found in oil production.
Tangent S Series 19″
The IP rating scale is used to determine the ability of an enclosure to mitigate both dust and liquid intrusion. Dust and particle contamination resistance is listed on a scale of one to six, while liquid resistance is rated on a scale from one to nine. A typical IP rating combines the two numbers, with dust resistance first and water resistance following. Tangent waterproof computers like those found in the S Series sport an impressive IP69k rating, and are resistant to water bursts as well as dust intrusion. This allows the S Series waterproof computers to work in facilities where water or liquid messes are a fact of life. What’s more, the S Series can operate outdoors, and with standard VESA mounting can be fitted to nearly any wall surface. The all-in-one nature of the S Series means that no keyboard or mouse is required to use it, simply mount it and it is ready to go.
Tangent R14
Mechanics and Engineers can’t be expected to sit in an airconditioned office all day, and neither should their computers. Waterproof tablets like the Tangent R14 offer workers the capabilities of their workstation on the move. With an IP65 rated enclosure and extreme operating temperature range, the R14 can accompany workers in nearly any environment whether that be on a floating platform or in the desert.
Medix KW Series
Every single one of Tangent’s waterproof computers features a touchscreen waterproof monitor that can be used by workers whether their hands are clean or dirty. Workers can have ease of mind knowing that their workflow does not have to be interrupted due to their hands being a little dirty. Tangent’s waterproof computers, like the VITA KW can be cleaned long after the job is done simply by wiping the screen. Their IP rated waterproof monitors allow them to be cleaned with traditional cleaning supplies, unlike finicky commercial monitors.
There are many ways to use waterproof computers, and not a single one of them is wrong. If you think that waterproof computers could benefit your workplace in ways that traditional computers cannot, you are more than welcome to contact our sales team at [email protected]. We can help you determine how waterproof computers, waterproof tablets, and waterproof monitors can fit into your worksite in ways traditional computers simply cannot.
When it comes to repetitive and mundane tasks, workers often experience burnout or a lack of enthusiasm towards their work. This is where industrial PCs can make a difference, automating the repeating tasks of a factory floor and freeing up workers to take on more stimulating jobs. As industrial PC power grows, the ways in which automation can help your factory floor achieve greater productivity also grow.
Tangent’s VITA KW Industrial PC
Freeing Up Workers
We’ve come a long way from the days where an employee would stand for eight hours, tightening the same bolt into the same position across hundreds of units. Today, industrial PCs have automated the bulk of easy, repetitive tasks. This allows for workers who would have previously been stuck doing such tasks to take on more engaging roles. With industrial PCs that come equipped with factory proof panel screens, workers can check in on how automated jobs are performing without the hassle of using an outdated mouse-and-keyboard setup. Mounted industrial PCs allow workers to quickly check up on the assembly line, and get right back to work.
Increasing Workplace Safety Without Decreasing Productivity
No one wants to work in an unsafe environment, and studies show that happy workers are productive workers. Industrial PCs can provide your workplace with a safe way to automate the jobs that have the potential to be dangerous, while increasing productivity. In addition, industrial PCs can be hooked up to your factory’s network, allowing industrial PCs to take full advantage of all the various sensors present on the floor. When industrial PCs are networked with sensors, they can alert workers to changes in production, safety concerns, and general announcements from management. The ease of access that industrial PC panels offer means that in the event of an emergency on the floor, workers will know exactly what is going on, and how to react properly.
Tangent’s R14 Industrial Computer
Reducing Worker Fatigue
From clocking in to getting employee feedback, industrial PCs make reducing worker fatigue a simple and attainable goal. With industrial PC tablets that can be used on the go, workers can clock in and out of the job without having to wait in a long line. Instead, they can simply clock in and out with their personal industrial PC tablet, saving them valuable break time and ensuring that they are refreshed when they return to work. In addition, equipping your workforce with industrial PC tablets means that when management needs to gain valuable worker insight, they don’t have to call a meeting and stop the assembly line. Instead, they can push out a survey or questionnaire to the workforce who can then provide feedback immediately.
Industrial PCs: Automation Made Easy
There’s no better way to automate parts of your factory than with industrial PCs. Whether you need to automate a potentially dangerous task, upgrade employee communications, or increase productivity, industrial PCs from Tangent have your back.
The job requirements for an industrial refinery’s quality control inspector are understandably hefty. They are required to monitor mechanical works in progress and evaluate completed work to ensure compliance with applicable codes and safety standards. In their work day, they are often on-site reviewing and comparing mechanical drawings for code compliance and for requirements on piping, pressure valves or other hardware repairs. This is a challenging enough job from behind a desk, but quality control inspectors are expected to work outdoors and in inclement weather conditions, as well as to wear fire-retardant clothing and personal protective equipment such as steel-toe shoes, ear and eye protection. The hazardous environment of a refinery requires heavy precautions and experienced workers using the right tools to complete their job. As they need proper attire, inspectors also need similarly protected industrial grade computer equipment in their role.
With a hand-held industrial grade tablet computer, an inspector can actively pull up blueprints and requirements while looking at plant infrastructure, fabricated and welded parts, worker processes, take pictures of questionable or old pipe fittings, red flag components, complete QA reports and sign off on work. The industrial grade quality of the tablet is important to ensure that it can hold up to the harsh environment, constant movement, and perform to the degree needed.
The Tangent R10 10” industrial tablet has a rugged exterior design that is tested to handily withstand drops of up to four feet. It has PCAP multi-touch, an IP65 rating to prevent water, dust, ash or other contaminant ingress into the computer, and is fanless to also prevent harmful internal buildup. The R10 goes above and beyond other tablets with an optional combo data input accessory that offers smart card, MSR, and fingerprint reader that can be extremely useful for quick and secure access. It also has F1 & F2 programmable keys for fast, and repeatable actions which is useful for an inspector to mark items as pass or not pass on a checklist, or switch between forms, applications or drawings.
This industrial grade tablet’s internal components can be customized to suit the performance and storage needs of its purpose, and it has an optional desk charging stand so the tablet can be used with a full size monitor in the office and immediate be on the go again. Utility, durability, and flexibility can make all the difference in the effectiveness of a quality control inspector, and that has a huge impact on the safety and compliance record of an industrial operation.
To most hourly employees, the work time clock is an annoying, but necessary evil. To payroll departments, it’s the most essential tool in the galaxy. And to IT departments, it’s something that needs to be available in lots of places around the company floor but also, out of the way. Most modern time clock stations are comprised of a touchscreen monitor, a badge card swiper, and some sort of computer system. In the spirit of space saving, many opt for a small form factor computer that sits on the back of the monitor but there are even more steps that can be taken to have a system that is reliable, long-lasting, practically imperceptible, and industrial quality. We all know that it quickly becomes nightmare when people can’t clock in and out. Tangent’s rugged, industrial mini computers are the perfect fit for such an application, especially if they need to accommodate even more functionality and environments harsher than a corporate office.
The Tangent Rugged Mini Q industrial mini computer is considered an ultra mini form factor and comes with a surprising amount of features despite its diminutive size. The industrial mini computer has fanless cooling and mSATA solid state drive storage. Without any fans or moving disks to wear out and fail, the computer will have a longer usable lifespan and 24/7 uptime. This is key to applications that need to be at the ready at all times. An optional wireless card and antennas allow for fewer cables running to the system, which is great for kiosks that are wall mounted. At less than 5 inches in length and a weight of 1.35lbs, this ultra mini computer will barely be noticeable anywhere it is installed or mounted.
Rugged Mini S
For a mini form factor industrial computer with a little more processing punch, the Rugged Mini S has an Intel 6th Generation Core series processor, Intel HD Graphics card, and up to 32GB of ram. Instead of just a time clock, you can have several other apps running like Office for shared calendars and email, perhaps guest check-in and forms software, office directories, or flash games for young clients in waiting rooms. Like the Rugged Q, this industrial grade mini computer system is also fan and disc free, can connect to wifi and be tucked away seamlessly behind a mounted monitor. And this is just two examples of the types of things that mini computers can do, and two of many types of mini computers that Tangent offers. From mundane repetitive tasks to processor heavy tasks, there’s an ultra mini industrial computer that can readily comply for many years.
