Industrial/rugged PC recommendations? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2018, 11:34:35 am
content: Hi guys,In a product we were using a small industrial computer. Unfortunately, when we wanted to make another batch, we found out that it's no longer being manufactured, with no direct replacement.I would like to ask you for some recommendations on a computer that would fit the following:Necessary:x86/x64 architecture (in terms of power pretty much anything current will do, the old one was based 10ish year old Intel Atom)Capable of running linux without too much hassle (no driver customization etc.)-40 deg.C - 60 deg.C operation, fanless operation*2+xRS232 2+xRS422 2+xUSBSome kind of display output (anything will do, just for servicing)200 x 220 x 150 mm max dimensionsDC power (we can go with pretty much anything, from 5V to 48V)Would be very nice:Compact Flash slot (from which it can boot)Has a few digital IO (slow, is OK, just for turning a few optocouplers on/off and reading some IO)The RS422 should be isolatedMore RS232*The device will be mounted on a massive back plate, so that could help with cooling.At the moment this system:https://www.tangent.com/industrial-computer/rugged-mini-pc/rugged-e2looks pretty good, I've contacted them, but they have yet to get back to me... So I'm looking for other options.Any recommendations?Thanks!David

author: senso
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2018, 01:49:32 pm
content: Given the case style, they might be a cousin of this one:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Wide-Operating-Temperature-25-80-degree-embedded-PC-with-wifi-3G-SIM-socket-lbox-2550/32267794392.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.181.246143aaQ8AQOI&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10151_10065_10068_10344_10342_10343_10340_10341_10696_10084_10083_10618_10304_10307_10820_10821_10301_10059_100031_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_55,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=16dc62c5-816d-4192-820a-c4bb3834731a-29&algo_pvid=16dc62c5-816d-4192-820a-c4bb3834731a&priceBeautifyAB=0That seller has tons of variatons, contact them, get a couple samples, and they buy a truck load of them for cheap.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2018, 04:08:10 pm
content: Maybehttps://www.logicsupply.com/

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2018, 07:31:21 pm
content: We have been using these low power guys for a couple of years with no issues:http://www.fit-pc.com/web/Web site is confusing as hell, but they do say that they will customise them if you need more serial ports.The guy that introduced them has been using them in a marine environment and was very happy with them.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:34:58 am
content: Thanks guys! I'll look into those.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 12:21:34 pm
content: We used to go with built-in IO and RS-232. But it proved sourcing the pc's would be more difficult than neccesary, and every model required slightly different software.Now we use external IO cards and USB. And you can just buy the recent model pc with DIN-rail mouting hardware, get an USB hub and it's basically plug&play.

author: TomS_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:16:57 pm
content: If you're worried about future availability, perhaps look at PC/104 style computers. At the very least you should find a drop in alternative for the processor.

author: Eka
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2018, 10:03:21 am
content: I'd look into the 1U Eruocard format industrial PCs. I know there are manufacturers out there who will guarantee they will keep a card in production for X years. That can easily be as long as 7 to 10 years from introduction. I worked with a few companies who were using such pieces of gold in their products. Such long product lives means lots of development savings years down the road.

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2018, 11:16:45 am
content: Quote from: Eka on August 17, 2018, 10:03:21 amThat is definately a consideration for embedded PC's.The fitlet pc that I mentioned earlier have products which are supported for 15 years according to their web site. Thats going to be hard to beat and the robustness of the company becomes an important consideration at those time scales.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 07:43:33 pm
content: A bit of an update: In the end we chose MPL (https://www.mpl.ch/). Very customizable, really good customer service and the thing is well built. We went with one of the CEC14 devices. They are somewhat pricey, but they are well built.