Why Pharmaceutical & Chemical Plants Prefer Stainless Steel Panel PCs

Industry Pain Points and Challenges

The Harsh Requirements of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Environments

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is governed by GMP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11, while chemical plants must withstand volatile gases, humidity, and corrosive dust.
Stainless Steel Panel PCs operate reliably under water, chemical, and dust exposure, ensuring long-term stability.

Limitations and Failure Risks of Traditional Industrial PCs

Conventional aluminum or plastic enclosures corrode easily; fan-based cooling circulates contaminants and dust.
Frequent maintenance and shorter MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) increase downtime, while sealed fanless stainless designs extend reliability dramatically.

Considering Cost, Maintenance, and Risk

Although initial investment is higher, total ownership cost (TCO) is lower thanks to longer lifespan and minimal maintenance.
Reliable stainless designs reduce unplanned shutdowns and ensure regulatory compliance.

What Is a Stainless Steel Panel PC?

Material Selection — 304 vs 316 Stainless Steel

SUS304 suits food-grade applications, whereas SUS316 with molybdenum resists acids and chlorides, making it ideal for pharma and chemical facilities.
316 maintains surface finish and chemical durability even after long-term cleaning.

Key Design Elements — Fully Sealed, True Flat, Rounded Edges, Air Valve

A fully-sealed design prevents liquid or dust ingress; the True Flat glass enables easy cleaning; rounded corners eliminate bacterial accumulation;
the air-pressure valve equalizes internal pressure to prevent condensation, maintaining stable electronics.

IP Ratings and Chemical Resistance

Available in IP65 / IP67 / IP69K, these units withstand high-pressure, hot-water, and chemical washdowns.
Tested per IEC and ASTM standards to guarantee performance in harsh industrial conditions.

Why Pharmaceutical / Chemical Plants Prefer Stainless Steel Panel PCs

Hygiene & Cleanability — Compliant with GMP / FDA / HACCP

True Flat and rounded designs eliminate residue points. SUS316 housings meet GMP / FDA hygiene requirements.
Units tolerate high-pressure hot-water cleaning, and fanless construction avoids airborne contamination.

Corrosion & Washdown Durability

Resistant to ethanol, IPA, hypochlorous acid, and H₂O₂.
SUS316 housing with food-grade silicone seals ensures long-term stability under aggressive sanitizing conditions.

Reliability & 24/7 Operation

Fanless architecture, MTBF > 50,000 hours, and wide temperature range (−20 °C to +60 °C) support continuous operation and production uptime.

Application Scenarios & Typical Use Cases

Cleanroom Pharmaceutical Production Lines

Used in mixing, filling, sterilization, and packaging control.
Integrates with MES / SCADA and supports 21 CFR Part 11 e-signature compliance for data traceability.

Chemical Reaction Tanks and Safety Systems

Deployed in reaction or hazardous zones.
SUS316 enclosures and sealed connectors deliver long-term corrosion resistance and explosion-safe integration.

Packaging and Quality Inspection Areas

Connects to barcode scanners and vision systems for labeling accuracy.
High-brightness displays fit bright factory settings; modular I/O increases system connectivity.

How to Select the Right Panel PC

Feature × Keyword Matrix

I/O Interfaces and Communication Protocols

Confirm required Ethernet, COM, USB ports and protocols (Modbus, Profinet, EtherCAT).
Customizable I/O extension boards improve flexibility for system integration.

Brand & Lifecycle Support

Choose manufacturers with CE / FCC / IP69K certifications, long product lifecycles (≥ 5 years), and local RMA / firmware support to ensure supply continuity.

FAQ — Common Questions

Q1. Can the Panel PC withstand high-pressure washdowns?
A: Yes. Rated IP69K, it endures 100 bar at 80 °C water and chemical washdowns without ingress.

Q2. Will it corrode under acid or alkaline conditions?
A: No. Its SUS316 housing resists ethanol, IPA, and hypochlorous acid, remaining bright and oxidation-free.

Q3. What are the water and dust protection levels?
A: Available in IP65, IP67, and IP69K:

• IP65 for low-pressure washdowns and dust protection.
• IP67 for short-term immersion in liquid.
• IP69K for high-pressure 80 °C cleaning with chemicals.
  Fully-sealed construction and food-grade silicone gaskets keep internal components safe even under frequent sanitization.

Q4. Which disinfectants can be used? A: Ethanol, IPA, hypochlorous acid, and H₂O₂ are recommended; avoid prolonged contact with strong acids.

Q5. Can it be operated with gloves? A: Yes, 10-point P-CAP touch supports 2 mm latex or rubber gloves and water resistance.

Q6. Is customization available? A: Yes — sizes 10-24″, high brightness (1,000 nits), and custom I/O modules.

Q7. Product lifespan & warranty? A: MTBF > 50,000 h, 1-year standard warranty (extendable).

Q8. Software compatibility? A: Supports SCADA, MES, PLC, Windows 10 IoT, and Linux.

Q9. Can it pair with a Box PC? A: Yes, use with FBX-T7E Fanless Box PC as a modular HMI + controller setup.

Q10. Can it run in low-temperature or outdoor environments? A: Yes, operating range −20 °C to +60 °C with anti-condensation valve.

Beyond Info System Product Recommendations & Guidance

H3-1 Stainless Steel Touch Panel PC

🔗 Product Page
Purpose-built for pharma, chemical, and food processing, combining high protection, hygiene, and reliability.

• SUS304 / SUS316 housing, acid- and alkali-resistant
• True Flat touch, IP69K sealing
• Fanless design, wide temp −20 ~ 60 °C
• Multiple sizes (10–24″) and mounting options
• Compatible with Windows, Linux, SCADA, MES

Applications: cleanroom monitoring, chemical reactors, packaging lines, CIP/SIP stations

FBX-T7E Fanless Embedded Box PC

🔗 Product Page
High-performance fanless Box PC with Intel 11th Gen CPU, ideal as control core or data node.

• Aluminum enclosure (IP65 front) for dust protection
• Multiple I/O: 6 × Ethernet, 4 × USB, 1 × COM
• Fanless, wide temp −20 ~ 60 °C, anti-vibration
• Supports DIN-rail / wall mount / cabinet installations

Applications: MES / SCADA centers, process control units, laboratory DAQ, industrial AI nodes

Combined Deployment & Selection Guide

Conclusion

Beyond Info System is more than a hardware provider — it is a reliability partner.
From stainless-steel waterproof HMIs to fanless embedded Box PCs, BIS delivers end-to-end solutions for the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, combining durability, hygiene, and traceability to drive smart manufacturing forward.