Rising demands for production efficiency and operational modernization are reshaping the steel manufacturing industry. Today’s manufacturers must optimize factory operations, improve system flexibility, and maintain reliability in harsh industrial environments. To address these needs, a leading U.S. steel producer deployed rugged industrial HMI solutions designed for real-time control, modular scalability, and long-term durability. This case study explores how Premio’s VIO Series rugged industrial panel PCs helped the company enhance system performance and prepare for future growth in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
Challenges
- Modular design required for future PC upgrades without full system replacement
- Limited installation space required a medium-sized HMI and VESA mount
- Requirement for strong connectivity including Wi-Fi and power ignition for remote access and controlled startup
- Demand for storage flexibility with hot-swappable drives for easier maintenance.
- Need for glove-compatible touchscreen to ensure reliable operation while wearing industrial gloves
Solution
- Premio’s VIO-W215-PC100-EHL Rugged IP65 Industrial Touch Panel PC featuring a high-performance Intel® Celeron® J6413 processor.
- Compact 15.6” 16:9 display with VESA mounting to fit limited installation spaces
- Comprehensive I/O connectivity including Wi-Fi, power ignition, expanded COM ports, dual LAN, four USB ports, and eight DIO channels
- Hot-swappable 2.5" SATA storage bay for easy data management and minimal system downtime
- Resistive touchscreen option to enable reliable touch operation while wearing industrial gloves
- High-brightness panel and optical bonding technology to improve screen visibility in rugged solar environments
Benefit
- ISO-certified supply chain ensuring consistent product quality and on-time delivery
Company Background
Focused on advancing sustainable steel production, this leading U.S. manufacturer operates a decentralized network of steel plants that supply industries like construction, automotive, energy, and infrastructure. Their operations prioritize energy efficiency and net-zero initiatives, using advanced recycling practices to reduce environmental impact. With continuous growth and expansion across North America, the company emphasizes real-time monitoring, data-driven operations, and rugged system reliability to maintain production efficiency. Scalable and forward-looking, their infrastructure supports both traditional manufacturing demands and the evolving needs of a greener industrial economy.
The Challenges
Modular Design to Support Future Upgrades
To fit in a steel production environment where operational needs continuously evolve, the customer required a modular HMI solution that could easily support future computing upgrades. Their previous systems lacked modularity, forcing them to replace entire units for even minor upgrades, resulting in unnecessary costs and operational inefficiencies.
Compact HMI to Fit Limited Installation Space
The customer's steel production system had strict space constraints, making a compact, medium-sized HMI with VESA mounting essential. A slim and rugged profile allowed seamless installation in tight areas without sacrificing performance.
Strong Connectivity with Wi-Fi and Power Ignition
In a dynamic steel production environment where mobility and remote system management are critical, the customer needed reliable wireless communication and controlled power management. Their previous solution lacked built-in Wi-Fi and power ignition, limiting remote access and complicating startup and shutdown procedures.
Storage Flexibility to Expand and Swap Without Downtime
Since steel production operations generate large volumes of monitoring and control data, the customer needed flexible storage to support ongoing data growth. Ideally, beyond simply expanding capacity, they also needed a solution that allowed storage drives to be swapped without interrupting system operations.
Glove-Compatible Touchscreen for Industrial Use
Within the customer's steel production facility, workers were required to wear industrial gloves to protect themselves from heat, debris, and heavy machinery. As a result, a standard PCAP touchscreen was not sufficient for reliable operation. They needed a resistive touchscreen solution that could maintain accurate and consistent responsiveness even when operated with protective gloves.
The solution
Premio’s VIO Series IP65-rated Rugged Industrial Touch Panel PC
Premio’s VIO-W215-PC100-EHL features the high-performance Intel® Celeron® J6413 processor, delivering strong computing capabilities with low TDP for industrial applications. One of its standout advantages is its patented modular design, which fully optimizes the VIO series for flexibility and scalability. The system combines a rugged display module with a swappable embedded PC unit, allowing future upgrades without replacing the entire panel.
Compact 15.6" Display with VESA Mounting
To meet space constraints, the VIO-W215-PC100-EHL offered a slim 15.6” widescreen (16:9) display with VESA mounting options. This compact design enabled easy integration into tight industrial setups while maintaining full usability, ruggedness, and wide-format visibility for operators.
Comprehensive I/O Connectivity for Industrial Requirements
The solution offered robust I/O connectivity to support industrial applications, including expandable COM ports, four USB ports, dual LAN ports, and eight isolated DIO channels. To meet the customer's operational needs, the system also featured built-in Wi-Fi for wireless communication and power ignition support for controlled startup and shutdown management.
Hot-Swappable 2.5" SATA Storage for Data Management
Storage flexibility was critical for the customer to support expanding data needs without disrupting operations. Premio’s VIO series addressed this by featuring a hot-swappable 2.5" SATA drive bay, allowing storage drives to be replaced without system shutdowns. This design minimized maintenance downtime and ensured continuous access to critical operational data.
Resistive Touchscreen for Glove-Compatible Operation
The VIO-W215-PC100-EHL was configured with a resistive touchscreen to ensure reliable and accurate interaction even when operated with industrial gloves. This capability was critical for maintaining productivity and safety on the factory floor.
High-Brightness Display and Optical Bonding for Harsh Environments
To improve visibility in challenging environments, the system offered a high-brightness display with optional optical bonding. These features enhanced screen readability under bright lighting conditions and strengthened durability against dust, moisture, and vibrations.
The Benefit
ISO-certified supply chain
Premio’s ISO-certified supply chain guarantees consistent product quality, compliance with international manufacturing standards, and dependable production output. With facilities based in the Los Angeles area, Premio also provides logistical advantages such as faster lead times and localized support, helping customers minimize delays and maintain continuous operations without disruption.
Conclusion
By adopting Premio’s VIO Series rugged industrial touch panel PCs, the steel manufacturer successfully modernized its factory operations to meet evolving production demands. The modular, durable design provided the flexibility needed for future upgrades, while improving system reliability in a challenging industrial environment. With enhanced performance and long-term scalability, the company is well-positioned to support continued growth and operational excellence.