First configuration with an industrial Panel PC

April 27, 2020 by
First configuration with an industrial Panel PC
Andrei Postolache


In this post, we will talk about our range of Panel PCs for industrial control. They are based on the industrial Raspberry Pi and work with GN/Linux (Raspbian/Ubuntu) which are installed in an SD card.

This kind of panel for industrial monitoring can work as a PLC because it has 10 I/O  and different types of communication (RS-232, RS- 485, Ethernet and WiFi). Moreover, it has the benefit of a touchscreen where you can program the application you want and monitor the variables you need too. It is a versatile way to automate and monitor an installation because it is an Open Source software and works as a proper PC in which you can connect your mouse, keyboard, USB and have a µSD to expand the hard disk.

In complex systems, you can create a network between several TouchBerries, providing a supervision solution and control for production plants and real-time data.

After reading this post, you will be able to take the first steps with your device for industrial automation.

Industrial Shields Panel PC software

First step: connect a keyboard and a mouse to your Panel, using the USB ports, so you can work more comfortably. After that, you can connect to a WiFi network and having access to the internet.

 

Industrial Shields Panel PC software

The language of the keyboard is English by default. To configure it, you will have to enter in the General menu -->Preferences --> Mouse and Keyboard Settings --> Keyboard --> Keyboard Layout.

 

Industrial Shields Panel PC software

To change the distribution of the desktop and more characteristics, please follow the steps below:
General menu --> Preferences --> Appearance Settings --> (Desktop/Taskbar/System/Defaults)


Industrial Shields Panel PC software

To have access to the internet, you can use the browser Chromium; it is a Chrome adapted to Raspbian. 

 

Industrial Shields Panel PC software

If you want to see a video, there is the VLC Media Player. It works in the way that Windows.

 

Industrial Shields Panel PC software

You can also find an image editor so you can modify your schematics or pictures.


In the same menu --> Accessories, you can find some more utilities:

  • Archiver-extract files from ".rar" or ".zip"

  • Calculator

  • File manager, where we have all the folders

  • PDF Viewer

  • SD Card Copier - used to duplicate

  • Task Manager - it handles the programs that are running.

  • Terminal - used to communicate directly with the Raspbian and also to program. It is similar to Command Line in Windows

  • Text Editor

Menu --> Preferences 

  • Add/Remove Software - here you can install or uninstall apps

  • Audio Device Settings - you can connect speakers to the screen and configure them from here

  • Main Menu Editor - you can manage the items you want to see in the main menu

  • Raspberry Pi Configuration - configurations of the Raspberry board (communications, user, GPU memory).

  • Recommended Software - a list of apps that you can install which are compatible with the software

If you feel more comfortable, you can use the Command Terminal to install, update, open files, etc. Just click Ctrl+Alt+T to find it 

  • To install an app - "sudo apt-get install X (name of the app)"

  • To update apps - "sudo apt-get update"

  • To upgrade heavy apps - " sudo apt-get upgrade"

  • To see all the files that we have on Home - "ls"

  • To open a file - "cd ( name of the file)/"

  • To close a file - "cd .."

  • To create a file - "mkdir ( name of the file )"


To continue entering in the programming of your Panel, just follow our Blog and you will find all the information and examples that you wish.

​Search in our Blog

First configuration with an industrial Panel PC
Andrei Postolache April 27, 2020

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