Building a Smarter and Stronger Cold Chain with IEI SHIELD

Harsh Environments Demand Smarter Interfaces

In seafood processing environments exposed to salt spray, condensation, and high-pressure washing, standard HMIs are prone to failure. The IEI SHIELD series rugged stainless steel touch computers feature IP66 waterproof and dustproof design, a SUS304 stainless steel chassis, and –30°C operating capability. This ensures stable cold chain process operation, enabling real-time monitoring and HACCP food safety traceability.

The Extreme Challenges of Seafood Processing: The Triple Test of Environment, Hygiene, and Efficiency

As global seafood demand grows, the reliability of cold chain systems is essential for maintaining quality and compliance. Reports from the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and the Sustainable Cooling Center show that 12% of global food is lost due to temperature control failures, while the FAO notes that up to 27% of fish are lost from catch to consumption. Seafood processing plants face key challenges such as:

• Corrosive environments with high humidity, salt spray, and condensation
• High-pressure cleaning that damages standard control equipment
• Electromagnetic interference (EMI) causing unstable networks and data loss
• Lack of real-time data leading to traceability and audit delays

In this context, equipment that ensures hygiene, waterproofing, low-temperature stability, and seamless automation integration is crucial for advancing the seafood cold chain.

IEI SHIELD: Rugged Touchscreen Computer Designed for Extreme Seafood Cold Chain Environments

The IEI SHIELD series features food-grade SUS304 stainless steel and a fully sealed design, integrating a reliable industrial platform with edge data processing. It ensures system stability, data accuracy, and ease of operation even in demanding environments.

1. P66 Waterproof and Dustproof Construction

SHIELD features a fully sealed IP66 housing that withstands high-pressure cleaning and chemical washdowns. Waterproof M12 connectors block liquid ingress, ensuring stable operation in salt spray and humid environments—ideal for production lines and freezer rooms.

2. SUS304 Food-Grade Stainless Steel Housing

SUS304 food-grade stainless steel resists salt corrosion and oxidation. Its smooth, polished surface prevents bacterial adhesion and enables fast cleaning and disinfection. Compliant with HACCP and ISO 22000 hygiene standards, it ensures long-term safety and durability in food processing areas.

3. Wide-temperature operation and anti-condensation design

Operates stably between -30°C and 55°C, with an internal moisture-proof structure preventing condensation short circuits. Even during prolonged use in freezer rooms or high-temperature zones, it ensures rapid system startup and stable operation, meeting 24/7 cold chain monitoring requirements.

4. Resist EMI interference and ensure signal stability

SHIELD features rugged M12 I/O and SFP fiber ports that resist EMI and ensure stable networking near high-power equipment. Its shock-resistant locking design guarantees reliable long-term data transmission, ideal for cold chain and automated production lines.

5. Responsive 10-Point PCAP Touch for Intuitive Control

The SHIELD-185 features a 10-point projected capacitive touchscreen that works smoothly even with gloves or wet hands. Its 7H anti-scratch, anti-glare, and UV-resistant surface ensures clarity in bright industrial environments.

6. Industrial-grade performance and stability

Equipped with Intel Atom® x7433RE / x7835RE processors, supporting DDR5 memory and NVMe SSDs. Maintains long-term stable operation with low power consumption, ideal for cold chain automation monitoring and data logging, balancing performance and energy efficiency.

End-to-end deployment from production line to cold storage

• Seafood Processing Plant：Supports production line monitoring, recipe management, and automated control while withstanding daily high-pressure washing environments.
• Freezing and Cold Storage Warehouses：Maintains stable operation at -18°C for inventory tracking, temperature/humidity monitoring, and inbound/outbound management.
• Logistics Distribution and Monitoring Center：Integrates sensors and barcode systems for batch traceability, product history uploads, and cold chain status visualization.

Real Benefits: Building a Reliable Cold Chain Through Smart Traceability

Multiple case studies demonstrate that implementing the IEI SHIELD series significantly enhances operational efficiency and reliability:

• Batch traceability time reduced to under 60 seconds
• Overall equipment effectiveness improved by 20%
• Food waste reduced by 50%
• Achieved zero unplanned downtime within one year

Businesses gain real-time visibility into temperature fluctuations and production status, enabling data-driven cold chain management that enhances quality consistency and regulatory compliance.

Building the Foundation for a Sustainable, Secure, and Smart Cold Chain

The IEI SHIELD series is more than rugged hardware—it’s a core platform for intelligent seafood cold chain transformation. With industrial-grade protection, smart connectivity, and visual monitoring, it enables end-to-end digital traceability from catch to plate, helping businesses enhance efficiency, ensure food safety, and achieve ESG sustainability goals.

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