Description
Product Introduction
The Pro-Face APL3900-TFM-BLD is an industrial-grade 19-inch panel computer designed to operate reliably in harsh manufacturing environments. Built by Digital Electronics Corporation (Pro-Face), this unit combines an industrial LCD display, high-resolution analog resistive touch overlay, and an expandable PC engine into an IP65f NEMA 4X front-bezel housing. It runs demanding human-machine interface (HMI) applications, plant SCADA engines, and real-time database logging right at the machine level.
Engineered as a rugged workhorse, the APL3900-TFM-BLD uses an open-architecture motherboard platform protected by heavy-duty shielding. Unlike commercial desktop PCs that choke on dust, thermal cycling, and cabinet vibration, this industrial IPC handles ambient heat and continuous duty cycles. It incorporates dual Ethernet interfaces, isolated serial communications, and flexible PCI expansion slots to link directly with PLC networks across the plant floor.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Model Code | APL3900-TFM-BLD |
| Display Type & Size | 19-inch TFT Color LCD (SXGA 1280 × 1024 pixels) |
| Touch Screen Type | Resistive Film (Analog), Resolution: 1024 × 1024 |
| Processor Configuration | Intel Core 2 Duo / Celeron M options (APL3000 Architecture) |
| Input Voltage | 100V AC to 240V AC (50/60 Hz wide-range power supply) |
| Serial Ports | COM1 (RS-232C), COM2 (RS-232C/422/485 configurable) |
| Ethernet Interfaces | 2× RJ-45 Ports (10BASE-T / 100BASE-TX / 1000BASE-T Gigabit) |
| Expansion Slots | Multiple PCI / PCIe riser card slot configurations |
| Front Panel Rating | IP65f / NEMA Type 4X / 12 (when flush-mounted in enclosure) |
| Operating Temperature | 32°F to 122°F (0°C to +50°C) |
Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience
The “Trench” Reality
It’s 3:00 AM on a critical production run. The main HMI panel on a high-speed packaging line goes dark because the internal CCFL backlight inverter or motherboard on an old panel PC failed. The PLC is running fine, but operators are blind—they can’t monitor line alarms, clear recipe faults, or run product changes. A standard off-the-shelf desktop PC won’t mount into the panel cutout, lacks RS-422 isolators, and will fail from cabinet heat in weeks. You need an exact drop-in APL3900-TFM-BLD unit that drops cleanly into the existing cutout, boots the legacy Windows embedded runtime, and connects to the PLC network immediately.
Target Applications
- Automotive Assembly & Stamping Lines – Running central SCADA client interfaces where heavy machinery causes constant panel vibration.
- Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants – Displaying main pump house telemetry, chlorine dosing loops, and trend alarms on a wide 19-inch interface.
- Pharmaceutical Packaging Machinery – Serving as a 21 CFR Part 11 compliant operator interface with multi-level password validation and batch record logging.
Field Replacement Case
A chemical processing facility faced complete line stagnation when an aging control-cabinet panel PC suffered a hard drive failure and touchscreen degradation. The plant couldn’t afford weeks of downtime to re-engineer the panel cutout for a newer series. Dropping in a fully bench-tested, pre-configured APL3900-TFM-BLD replacement unit restored SCADA screen touch responsiveness and network polling in less than an hour.
APL3900-TFM-BLD
APL3900-TFM-BLD
Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing
Every Pro-Face IPC we sell undergoes a comprehensive hardware inspection and stress-test protocol on our specialized bench setup:
- Inbound Visual & Physical Audit: Full inspection for chassis damage, rear heatsink blockage, bezel gasket degradation, and screen scratches.
- Power Supply & Rail Testing: Applying 120V/240V AC to confirm internal DC power supply stability (5V, 12V, 3.3V rails) under varying electrical loads.
- Display & Touch Calibration: Testing display brightness, CCFL/LED backlight health, and performing 9-point touch screen accuracy calibration across all four display quadrants.
- I/O & Expansion Port Stress Run: Exercising both Gigabit Ethernet ports, all USB channels, COM1/COM2 serial communication loops, and PCI expansion slot handshakes.
- Thermal Burn-In & ESD Packaging: 24-hour continuous burn-in testing, followed by anti-static cleaning and custom foam-padded, vacuum-sealed ESD packaging.
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide
⚠️ Trap 1: Check the Specific “BLD” Option Configuration
Pro-Face APL3000 model codes are modular. The “BLD” build suffix defines specific internal options like RAM size, storage media (CompactFlash vs. HDD/SSD), and installed PCI expansion risers. Before ordering, verify whether your existing unit uses a 2.5″ SATA drive or a internal CompactFlash card, and transfer your storage media carefully.
❗ Trap 2: Backup the Touch Screen Calibration File
If you pull a working hard drive from a dead motherboard and slide it into a replacement chassis, Windows will boot, but the touchscreen driver may require recalibration. Keep a USB mouse handy inside the cabinet during installation so you can launch the Pro-Face PL Touchscreen Utility and calibrate the panel coordinates.
⚠️ Trap 3: Inspect the Panel Cutout Gasket
When swapping out an APL3900 unit, never re-use a dry, cracked neoprene front bezel gasket. If the gasket seal is compromised, washdown water or airborne cutting fluids will seep into the panel cutout, pooling right at the bottom edge of the lower circuit board and blowing the internal inverter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Pro-Face -TFM-BLD still manufactured by Digital/Schneider Electric?
No. The APL3000 series is legacy/discontinued by the OEM. We source, test, and stock high-grade new surplus and refurbished units so you can maintain existing installations without spending tens of thousands on panel cutouts and software migrations.
Q: Can I run standard Windows XP, Windows 7, or Linux on this panel PC?
es. The uses standard x86 PC hardware architecture. It natively supports Windows XP Embedded, Windows 7 Industrial, and various Linux distributions, provided you load the correct Pro-Face chipset and touchscreen drivers.
Q: What is the primary difference between an and an APL3700?
The number sequence denotes screen size and resolution. The features a 19-inch SXGA (1280×1024) display, whereas the APL3700 features a 15-inch XGA (1024×768) display. Their internal expansion capabilities and motherboard platforms share similar architecture.
Q: Is this panel PC hot-swappable?
No. You must turn off main AC cabinet power before mounting or wiring the unit. Plugging or unplugging internal PCI riser cards or serial cables while 120V AC power is live will damage the motherboard logic.
Q: What warranty covers your refurbished Pro-Face industrial computers?
Ev-tested unit comes with our full 12-month direct replacement warranty from our stocked surplus inventory.
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