New compact and rugged PC built to connect industrial floor to cloud

Emerson has released the new PACSystems IPC 2010 Compact IPC, a rugged industrial computer created to handle various machine and discrete part manufacturing automation applications. The new solution is intended to serve manufacturing sites and OEM machine builders who need a ruggedised, compact, durable IPC to support their IIoT and other digital transformation initiatives cost-effectively.

The device addresses this by pre-loading the PACEdge industrial edge platform and elements of Movicon.NExT SCADA software, enabling users run applications quickly utilising browser-based configuration. Provisions are included for keeping the software platform current and passively maintained, minimisings user effort, while maximising reliability.

Running an industrial version of Linux, including serial and Ethernet connectivity, the device can be used as a communications gateway in various topologies, and simultaneously or separately as an edge computing device. Users can implement the IPC 2010 as a flexible protocol converter – and for many other computing functions – in many IIoT, edge, OT/IT convergence, HMI visualisation, SCADA connectivity, and digital transformation roles.

The hardware and software are developed to be adaptable, universal, and scalable, delivering a standardised and unified user experience that is easy-to-use, powerful, and supported by the company's lifecycle services. The compact form factor device provides the widest operating temperature range of any passively cooled IPC, with a low power consumption of just 4W and tough packaging so it can be installed virtually anywhere.

The device provides an advantageous price/performance ratio, with no ongoing annual licensing costs or charges for general and cybersecurity updates. Further features like Movicon Connext or WebHMI can be activated or added anytime.

"Many customers undergoing a digital transformation want to start small and earn trust as they seek out value from edge-enabled applications," said William Paczkowski, product manager for the IPC 2010 for Emerson's discrete automation business. "The IPC 2010 is specifically designed as a pre-packaged and economical solution so they can get running quickly and cost-effectively."

The company is already building the IPC 2010 into a range of larger offerings for leak detection, compressed air monitoring, batching systems, cloud enablement services, and other packaged solutions. This flexible industrial technology will allow customers of all types to benefit from their advanced capabilities.