The world of computing and information technologies expand their domains day by day and it was a matter of time to see how personal computers, until now confined to homes and offices, also begin to conquer the territories of industrial automation. The industrialized version of a PC is known as IPC (Industrial PC) and requires that its design and performance adapt perfectly to work environments with the most rigorous conditions. The future of production systems is written with concepts such as the Internet of Things, Big Data or Intelligent Industry, and OMRON is prepared to respond to these needs with the new Sysmac IPC, an industrial PC with a Sysmac controller inside that can be comes in two versions: Industrial Box PC and Industrial Panel PC.
power with control
Sysmac IPC provides a direct bridge between automation technology located on the factory floor and IT systems located in the office. It combines the precision and speed of the NJ/NX series of Machine Controllers with the versatility and variety of software offered by a Windows computer. Processing power is guaranteed thanks to its 7th generation Intel® Core™ i4700 Quadcore 4EQ processor, with 2 cores for the controller and 2 cores for Windows, and capable of managing up to 8 threads in parallel along with its 8 GB of RAM. In addition, using virtualization functions, it is possible to isolate the RTOS (Real Time Operating System) from the controller and Windows, so that the controlled machine will continue to work despite the problems that may occur in Windows. The data exchange between both operating systems is handled by a virtual Ethernet adapter managed by a hypervisor, this being a key feature for the development of applications (for example .NET) in Windows that process, visualize and store the data load. When it comes to storing data internally, Sysmac IPC incorporates up to two hard drives, being able to opt for a 320 GB HDD, if more capacity is required, or an SSD of up to 128 GB, if more robustness is needed. and availability. But if what you want is to share the data with a database, a MES (Manufacturing Execution System) or an ERP software, the IPC makes it easy through its 1000BASE-T Ethernet port, thus creating a direct link with the IT world of the company. The possibilities of communication with the outside are expanded thanks to the 4 USB ports (2x USB 2.0 and 2x USB 3.0) that the Sysmac IPC incorporates as standard, ideal for connecting external storage devices, keyboards or printers.
A user experience at your fingertips
From the point of view of the user interface, the OMRON IPC could not have a better ally than the new 12" or 15" Industrial Monitor, either in its separate version or integrated without cables or connections in the Industrial Panel. CPI. It is a capacitive touch screen that allows up to 5 simultaneous contacts and that integrates advanced algorithms to operate even with gloves or be disabled in case water is detected on its surface. It is the perfect complement to control the computer without the need for a mouse or keyboard, but also to use it as an HMI (Human Machine Interface) or SCADA terminal in production lines controlled by the Sysmac platform. The connection with the IPC is established through a DVI port for displays up to 1920 x 1200 pixels at 60Hz, and offers the possibility of having another DVI port to connect a second monitor, for applications with greater display needs. Sysmac IPC was born with the idea of becoming a scalable and expandable device and as proof of this, it integrates an easily accessible compartment to house PCIe v3.0 cards, thus extending its functionality to the entire range of PCIe cards available on the market. market. In addition, it offers the option of mounting an RS 232 port to keep current all those applications that still require serial communication.
PC body. controller soul
Thanks to the integrated machine controller in the Sysmac IPC, OMRON goes a step further in factory automation and offers a new integrated and intelligent control platform. The 2 dedicated cores of the Intel ® Core™ i7 Quad-core 4700EQ processor make it possible to manage machines with the most demanding requirements, being able to reach a cycle time of up to 500 μs. Another important advantage is that it is part of the Sysmac platform, so it can be programmed directly with the Sysmac Studio tool, thus shortening commissioning, integration and maintenance time. The control part supports two types of independent communications based on Ethernet. On the one hand, it includes an EtherCAT (100BASE-TX) port, which is an open network protocol widely used in the industry as a real-time field bus, with the capacity to control up to 192 slaves. And on the other hand, it supports Ethernet/IP, which is a protocol that integrates CIP (Common Industrial Protocol) with standard Ethernet services and capabilities. As a member of the Sysmac family of devices, it is a hybrid controller between the popular NJ5 and the powerful NX7.
Conclusion
OMRON's new Sysmac IPC represents an optimal solution to connect the world of devices that operate at the plant level and the IT world, taking another step towards intelligent industry. On the one hand, it provides an automation platform powerful enough to satisfy the most demanding applications in terms of real-time control, data manipulation and visualization, and on the other, it offers the user all the flexibility of a PC, in terms of management, processing and application development is concerned.
