An IPC is a PC in industrial design.

In principle, an IPC is a normal PC with a mainboard, processor, RAM and hard disk storage and usually also with a commercial operating system such as Windows, Linux or similar. However, the IPC often comes in a completely different housing and the components used are also much more robust and can work in a wider temperature range than standard PCs, e.g. in the office sector. An IPC is used to control machines and systems in an industrial environment or the devices work in this area. An IPC is optimally equipped for its tasks in this area. An IPC can also run an operating system, making the IPC a kind of HMI (human-machine interface).

A panel PC is a PC as a panel-mounted device that looks like a display or HMI (human-machine interface).

The Panel PC belongs to the group of IPCs (industrial PCs). The Panel PC looks like a display and comes as a panel-mounted device, but is a PC. Panel PCs often also come with a touch display so that no external mouse and/or keyboard is required. Both visualization and operation are possible with a panel PC. This makes the devices ideal for industrial use on machines and systems and they are often used as operating units.

An industrial display is particularly robust and is usually a panel-mounted device.

In principle, an industrial display is simply a screen in an industrial design that is controlled by a video signal. Interfaces for the display are, for example, VGA, DVI, HDMI, display port, etc. An industrial display is available with a base for installation, but is also often used in industry as a panel-mounted device in control cabinets or control desks. Of course, a display often works together with a PC, but can also be used together with controllers or other devices in the industrial sector.

Industrial displays with touch are also available. These displays can not only be used as a display, but also replace the screen and keyboard. The device that controls the display must have a corresponding interface and the driver for the touch of the display.

A web visualization is a visualization that is provided by a web server.

Many industrial control systems that are programmed with the CODESYS programming environment, for example, provide the user interface web-based via a web server. This is referred to as web visualization. In principle, this visualization can be displayed and operated with any browser on a PC.

Advantages of web visualization:

• Control and visualization on the controller.
• Display and operation in principle with any browser.
• Display and operation also possible remotely via network, remote maintenance, etc.
• No need to update the visualization.
• Control unit can be replaced quickly and easily.

A Web-Visu can also be displayed with a so-called Web-Panel (see FAQ "What is a Web-Panel?").

A web panel is a display that basically only provides a browser for displaying so-called web visualizations (see FAQ "What is a web visualization?").

A web panel can be an HMI or a panel PC with a corresponding application. There is usually little or nothing to be seen of the operating system on the devices. The device starts immediately with the browser, the settings for the Web-Visu such as IP addresses, the URL for the visualization etc. are implemented in the browser via a system menu. Ideally, the user is not even aware that it is a web panel. He starts the device/system and the web panel displays the user interface so that it can be operated and started immediately.

Wachendorff can also supply OEM devices, e.g. IPCs with your software.

An industrial PC is basically like a standard PC, but with an industrial design. Software can be installed as with any standard PC. When IPCs are used in machines and systems, they often have to be configured accordingly and equipped with special software. If it is a series product, the configuration must be repeated for each device.

As a special service, Wachendorff also offers all its devices as possible OEM variants. This means that Wachendorff supplies your devices as you would like them to be. It is possible to deliver the devices to you ready for use. Please contact the Wachendorff sales department responsible for you.

Wachendorff IPCs generally have standard interfaces such as EtherNet, WiFi and USB. The devices often also have serial interfaces such as RS232 and/or RS485. Fieldbus systems can usually be retrofitted (see FAQ "Can I also install a fieldbus in my IPC?").
Please refer to the respective data sheet to find out which interface equipment your IPC has.

Fieldbus systems such as CAN, CANopen, Profinet, Profibus, MPI, EtherCAT, IO-Link, M-Bus etc. are not usually built in directly, but can be retrofitted using option cards via PCI slot or PCMCIA.

Wachendorff application consultants or your local sales department can tell you which fieldbus systems are possible for your IPC.

Some IPCs are actually equipped with discrete IOs. However, there is always the problem of the drivers for integrating the IOs into your own application.
It is much easier to either work with external IOs, e.g. a fieldbus coupler, or to use an option card as PCI or PCMCIA or similar.

Wachendorff application consultants or your local sales department can tell you which IOs are possible for your IPC.