Product category:
Industrial computers, PCs, PLCs, notebooks, etc.
News Release from: Mitsubishi Electric Automation Systems | Subject: Panecon PT industrialised PCs
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 04 February 2003
Bridging the automation and IT gap
To bridge the hardware gap between traditional automation and the rising Information Technology marketplace, a range of top end, high quality Industrialised PCs has been introduced.
To bridge the hardware gap between traditional automation and the rising Information Technology marketplace, Mitsubishi Electric has introduced a new range of top end, high quality Industrialised PCs (IPCs) This exciting new flat panel computer range called Panecon PT, can handle even the most demanding Industrial Information Technology (IT) applications
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 4 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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With a ruggedised heavy duty steel construction, the new IPC range is built to last.
Not only is the IP65 (NEMA 1/12) rated front fascia metal, but also the rear chassis, giving excellent EMI protection.
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They are also compact and light (only 7.5 - 8.5kg, depending on model), to suit a wide range of automation applications.
What makes these IPCs so special is that the main board (or mother board) is actually manufactured by Contec, and is designed specifically for use in aggressive working conditions.
Another advantage of Contec manufacturing core components is the guaranteed continuity of hardware replacement.
All the IPC hardware is designed to be easily substituted, reducing installation or complex system re-configuration downtime.
Energy efficiency was a prime design factor in the new IPCs, with the whole unit designed to minimise power usage.
The single board computer needs no fan to keep the CeleronT 400Mhz CPU cool.
The same applies to the power supply module, which again requires no fan.
The removal of fans as well as saving cost dramatically increases the unit's MTBF figures and gives higher overall system availability.
The touch key display is an analogue resistive type.
This gives an extremely fine resolution of 4,096 x 4,096 elements for precision control over the touch elements.
The 18 bit display utilises its 262,144 colours to full effect, with all the displays in the range having an extremely wide viewing angle that come in either 12.1in or 15in TFT active matrix colour versions.
The displays have a brightness rating of 250 cd/m2, which allows the backlit screen to be read even when in direct sunlight.
To ensure maximum availability the backlight comes in a dual light system.
The longetivity of the easily replaced backlight is extended with a unique life saving feature, which can prolong its extensive life expectancy.
Interfacing to auxiliary equipment could not be easier, as the IPCs come with 2 USB, Fast Ethernet (100Base TX, 10Base -T), a parallel and 2 serial ports (RS232 and RS422 respectively).
To keep application costs down, the IPCs have an additional RGB port so users can connect a second monitor screen at minimum cost and two PS/2 mini-din connectors for optional mouse and keyboard interfacing.
Designed to run all of the huge range of Mitsubishi's Melsoft software products, the IPCs come with a minimum hard disk drive of 10GB and 64MB of RAM.
Floppy disk and CD Rom drives can be removed from the IPCs, giving increased security to data and helping to prevent theft.
Additional PC cards can be installed with the choice of either two additional PCI/ISA slots, or versions with 3 PCMCIA interfaces.
To complete the extensive features, the IPC comes complete with 6 opto-isolated I/O (3 in, 3 out) channels.
One input is reserved for remote reset and one output for connecting as a hard wired system watchdog.
As an additional option, the rotating hard-disk drive module can be replaced with shock resistant Silicon disk drives.
These new ATA IDE standard units have no moving parts, making their life expectancy and robustness much greater than conventional hard-disks (MTBF exceeding 2,000,000 hours).
Available in 2.5 and 3.5in versions, they are extremely compact, with minimal power consumption, require no battery and come in capacities from 32MB up to an impressive 1GB. Request a free brochure from Mitsubishi Electric Automation Systems ...
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