Automation PC has open systems

A B and R Industrial Automation Corp product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 28, 2005

The APC620 Automation PC combines all the advantages of an open system with full integration in an automation system, claimed its manufacturer B and R Industrial Automation.

The APC620 Automation PC combines all the advantages of an open system with full integration in an automation system, claimed its manufacturer B and R Industrial Automation.

Whether it is used as a central PC-based control unit or as a higher-level system based on networked controllers, its modular design allows for flexibility and several possible configurations.

The new industrial PC was introduced to the market especially for complex automation tasks said the company.

The Automation PC APC620 is available with two chipset versions.

The APC620 with an Intel Pentium M processor is available for high-performance applications that require a powerful processor.

The processor, which has been specially developed for mobile computing, also meets a key demand of industrial use - that of combining high processing performance with low power consumption.

The second variation of the APC620 covers performance needs ranging from Celeron 400MHz to one GHz.

That is where the Intel 815E chipset comes into play.

The devices don't require a fan.

One, two, or four PCI slots provide up to three housing variations.

The rest of the components are also modular - a compact flash slot is always provided on the base system and can be supplemented with another compact flash or a hard disk.

There are up to two slots provided for other drives as well, which include CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or CD-RW, floppy disk, or hard disk devices.

The APC620 is claimed to have been designed to take up the least amount of space in the switching cabinet.

On its front, a cover conceals the interfaces for drives as well as the compact flash slot.

Very early in the development phase, B and R said it decided to use that type of mass memory since it does not have any rotating parts and because it can also last a long time in rough industrial environments with an extremely high level of reliability.

All of the device's connections and interfaces are located on the top side of its housing so that they do not protrude and increase the installation depth.

A heat sink is also mounted on the side.

In addition to the APC620 Automation PC, B and R is also offering a new series of display units under the name Automation Panel.

The devices are equipped with linking component that allows the Automation Panel to be adapted to various transfer technologies extremely easily claimed B and R.

Both linking components and the Automation Panels themselves support USB.

When using DVI Link, USB is channeled along a separate cable since it is not included in the DVI standard.

The short-distance link (with a transfer distance of up to 15 metres) and the long-distance link (up to 40 metres) fully integrate USB.

To make connecting USB peripheral devices as convenient as possible, all Automation Panel devices have two USB interface on the back side along with a USB interface on the front side underneath a cover (with IP65 protection), added the company.

Aluminum fronts, IP65 protection and what B and R described as a matter-of-fact design allow the device to be used in any industrial system and machine environment.

The Automation Panel's variations are claimed to meet any individual demands regarding user guidance.

The 10.4", 15", 17" and 19" displays are available with touch screens, fixed function keys, or a combination of both.