STAINLESS STEEL IPCs PROVEN EVEN OFFSHORE

An example from harsh 24/7 offshore drilling operations

For more than two decades, our stainless steel product lines have proven their reliability thousands of times across industries such as chemical processing, food and pharmaceutical production, medical and process engineering, and plant construction. As operator and visualization systems, they are continuously exposed to extreme environmental conditions.

Where moisture, dirt, vibration, and aggressive substances are present, selecting the right hardware is critical to ensuring stable and reliable operation.

A recent example: An internationally operating drilling and exploration service provider faced the challenge of deploying a reliable HMI system directly at the rig. Standard industrial PCs proved insufficiently robust, leading to recurring maintenance efforts and unplanned downtime.

What was required was a durable and high-performance stainless steel system that would operate reliably even under the harshest conditions and integrate seamlessly into existing systems.

Background

Offshore drilling control rooms serve as secure, climate-controlled hubs where operators oversee well pressure, mud circulation, BOP status, alarms, and interlocks through SCADA dashboards, all in real time, 24/7. Reliable visualization and accurate touch response are critical, even a small delay or misread can have serious consequences for safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. Unlike the open deck, the control room is protected from direct exposure to saltwater, but the demands remain high.

Continuous vibration, nonstop duty cycles, and frequent wipe-downs with disinfectants place significant stress on electronic equipment. At the same time, tight console layouts and harsh overhead lighting create additional challenges for screen readability and system integration.

A global drilling contractor was facing these very issues. Their existing Panel PC suffered from glare and fogging, inaccurate touch performance during alarm handling, and degraded enclosures after years of heavy cleaning. They needed a rugged, corrosion-resistant panel PC that could maintain a clear display under bright conditions, integrate seamlessly and withstand continuous use.

Main Challenges

Core Product

Key Features

Why TL and Winmate?

Conclusion:   By upgrading to Winmate’s 17-inch IP69K Stainless Steel Panel PC, the offshore drilling contractor successfully overcame long-standing challenges in their control room. Issues such as glare, fogging, touch inaccuracy, and premature equipment wear were resolved with a solution engineered for durability, readability, and seamless integration. With marine-grade stainless steel construction, optical bonding for enhanced clarity, and full IP69K protection, the new system provides reliable performance under continuous operation.

This deployment not only improved operator efficiency and safety but also reduced maintenance downtime and extended the lifecycle of critical Panel PC equipment, delivering long-term value for offshore drilling operations.

For more information about rugged computing solutions, please contact TL Electronic directly – we will be happy to advise you personally on your application.