Are you developing a new project and don’t know which type of PC to use? Are the PCs you integrate in your machinery or production not performing as required?

Have you already heard about industrial PCs, but don’t know if they are really for you?

When it comes to industrial computers, there are often doubts about the features, components, and differences from consumer PCs. That’s why we have collected the answers to the most frequently asked questions in this blog article.

At the end, industrial PCs will have no more secrets. Like, if you get to the last question on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and you get industrial computers, you won’t even need to ask the audience for help.

What’s an industrial PC?

Let’s start from the beginning. An industrial computer is a PC made specifically for use in harsh environments (i.e. with dust, humidity, production residues, temperature fluctuations) and for performing the functions of a controller and/or supervisor of machinery and industrial plants.

The main areas of use are therefore industrial production, automation 4.0, robotics, interactive kiosks and digital signage, video surveillance… in short, all those areas that require performance, robustness and 24-hour operation.

Consumer vs industrial PC: what is the difference?

Let’s get to the differences: consumer PC vs. industrial PC.

The fundamental difference is the intended use. While home PCs are designed for private use (be it as a home computer for watching Netflix or as an office PC), industrial PCs are designed for operation and performance as plant controllers or as devices for harsh environments.

As a result, they are designed and manufactured with a number of special features, enabling them to guarantee such operation – and differentiating them from consumer PCs:

• Use of industrial hardware. Industrial PC hardware is guaranteed for periods of 3-5 years, up to even 10, and therefore has a much longer lifecycle than consumer hardware. This ensures the availability of the same components in the long term, with dedicated product lines and support guarantees, without having to continually re-certify one’s plant or machinery every time hardware is changed.

• Fanless technology. To prevent dust, substances or moisture from entering the computer, most industrial PCs are fanless, i.e. without fans or ventilation holes. The heat from the processor is dissipated through the aluminium case, making the computer safe from dirty or damp environments (as well as totally silent). Consumer PCs, on the other hand, dissipate heat via the fan, which in industrial environments would risk sucking in dust particles, production residues or moisture that would inevitably damage the PC.

• 24/7 operation. Industrial hardware is designed to avoid surges and ensure full functionality even in continuous use. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. To function as a plant controller, or manage security systems and interactive totems, 24/7 operation is a key requirement.

• Shock and vibration resistance. Unlike consumer PCs, industrial PCs are totally resistant to shock and vibration, thanks to the absence of mechanical components inside the computer (such as the fan or the hard disk, replaced by solid-state memories) and the use of aluminium cases. The PC can be safely integrated in machine tools or systems that generate a high level of shock. Or on board trains, subways, buses, where vibrations are a constant.

Industrial PCs and temperatures

Another key feature (and an equally important difference from consumer PCs) is that industrial computers withstand high temperatures.

Using home PCs outdoors or exposing them to considerable temperature fluctuations can lead on the one hand to fan freezing, on the other to CPU overheating. In any case, to severe failures of the computer and subsequent malfunctions of the system in which it is integrated. Or worse, machine downtimes.

Industrial PCs, on the other hand, can guarantee full performance even in extreme operating temperatures of -40°C to +85°C. This is due to the possibility of configuring the PC with the extended temperature range, with which they can work around the clock even in a cold room or in a totem pole under the scorching August sun.

The components of an industrial PC

The main components of an industrial PC are:

• CPU (Central Computing Unit)
• Motherboard
• RAM
• Hard disk 
• Case

Depending on specific needs, other components can be added, such as expansion cards (to add more connectors such as USB, LAN, serial, etc.), video capture cards (to record in HD, transmit and optimise video by connecting the PC to a compatible device) and graphics or video cards (to improve graphics performance).

PS. To learn more about the components used in industrial PCs, you might like to read our article Industrial PC Configuration: Which Components to Choose?

An industrial PC to give you the peace of mind you deserve at work

Customisation. This is one of the greatest advantages of industrial PCs.

Compared to standard consumer PCs, custom PCs can be truly tailor-made for every need, depending on the context of use and customer requirements. This not only avoids buying an under- or over-dimensioned model, but also ensures full compatibility and reliability of the PC in its environment. Avoiding downtime or collateral damage.

Finally, choosing an industrial PC also means integrating a secure and compliant device into your company. That is why all our Kimera Computers come with a 3-year warranty (extendable to 5 years in some cases) and CE certification.

And this is not all: with Kimera Computers, you can also cut the waiting time for PC delivery from the usual 4-5 weeks to 3-5 working days. The same goes for technical support, which we provide directly in our labs in Italy, without the need for intermediaries.

Are you looking for an industrial PC?

We will analyse your project and the context of use for your PC, and recommend the most suitable Kimera for your needs!