Industrial Food Grade Modular Panel PC

FT Panel PC Made to Save Time and Money

APC Technology recently partnered with an existing customer to design and manufacture an upgraded industrial food grade modular panel PC. The project focused on developing a system that was easy to access, modular in design, and simple for onsite IT technicians to maintain without requiring a qualified electrician. The solution also needed to support future upgrades while minimising disruption to factory operations. 

Safer and Easier Maintenance Access

One of the key challenges with the previous setup was the need to bring electricians onsite because of exposed power supplies. APC Technology addressed this issue by designing a stainless steel enclosure with a front-opening system that allows safe and convenient access to internal components. Internal power supply sockets enable the equipment to be isolated inside the unit, making maintenance faster, safer, and more efficient. 

Modular Design for Long-Term Upgrades

Factory environments often require technology upgrades without interrupting production. To support this, the custom panel PC incorporates an internal gear plate design that allows components to be quickly swapped out when required. The modular system enables existing plates to be upgraded with new components as technology evolves, or entirely new plates can be manufactured and shipped directly to site.

This design allows the onsite maintenance team to simply remove the existing plate and install the updated version in a single step, helping reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency.

Flexible Integration for Existing Factory Systems

During the design phase, APC Technology also considered the customer’s existing hardware and operational processes. The customer required an RFID reader to be integrated beneath the tray of each unit, compatible with systems already in use onsite. Depending on the installation location, the system also needed the flexibility to connect scales and barcode readers.

To ensure seamless integration, the panel PC was designed with multiple connectivity options, including USB and RJ45 connections. The integration of the ROXTEC gland also ensured the enclosure achieved an IP65 rating, making it suitable for demanding industrial and food-grade environments.

Key Features

• 21” touchscreen stainless steel panel PC with built-in keyboard tray
• IP65 rated
• Chemically resistant
• Range of connectivity options
• Ability to integrate third-party products
• Internal power supply
• Clip-in / clip-out display system for simplified maintenance