OMRON Corporation announced on July 27 the global release in August of its new Industrial PC Platform (hereinafter "IPC") to innovate manufacturing through IoT utilization and high-speed, high-precision automation.

(Photo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201607262800/_prw_OI1fl_g4Mm8l15.jpg)

The IPC is a PC architecture-based platform that meets strict quality standards required for factory automation (FA) devices and can be supplied stably on a long-term basis. OMRON assists manufacturers to make production equipment smarter by utilizing IoT and big data through the IPC. At the same time, OMRON helps them boost both their equipment-operating ratio and manufacturing quality by applying know-how on advanced fine-tuning control, which OMRON has gained through the Sysmac automation platform (*1), to production lines and equipment.

Moves are spreading to seek innovative manufacturing by leveraging IoT, big data and robotics at production sites. In order to collect data for improvement and preventive maintenance, a programmable logic controller (PLC) is connected with PCs for office use which require complex license management and are supported only for a short time. Moreover, builders of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment and machine tools produce dedicated boards in-house, equipped with real-time operating systems, as main controllers. They are outsourcing the development of general control functionality and concentrating resources on the development of competitive core technology. These circumstances have increased global needs for PC architecture-based controllers which provide environmental resistance and reliability and allow for flexible development.

OMRON has captured these needs and developed three types of IPCs. Users can choose the best IPC from box-type PC models and all-in-one PCs with built-in monitors to suit their system configurations and applications. The IPC supports EtherCAT, which was impossible with previous PLCs. EtherCAT is an open network used for production lines and equipment all over the world as well as providing a development environment that allows users to customize functionalities.

Industrial PC Platform

- Industrial PC

The Industrial PC offers robustness and reliability for applications in an FA environment and is suitable for use with both Windows software and programs for machine control and automation. Production data can be collected to ensure stable equipment operation.

- Industrial PC: IPC Machine Controller (*2)

The IPC Machine Controller is a hybrid PLC that combines fine-tuning control featuring the precision and speed of the NJ/NX series of Machine Automation Controllers with the versatility and range of Windows programs on a single platform by using OMRON's unique hypervisor function. This enables users to easily achieve both production data handling and advanced fine-tuning control using ILOR+S (Input, Logic, Output, Robotics +Safety).

- Industrial PC: IPC RTOS Controller (*3)

Coming equipped with a real-time operating system (*4), the IPC RTOS Controller enables both real-time control and execution of data-processing tasks. Users can utilize OMRON's high-speed, high-precision and real-time machine control in the same programming environment based on familiar C-language (C/C++) as with dedicated boards produced in-house by semiconductor-manufacturing equipment builders.

OMRON brings innovation to manufacturing sites through automation with "integrated," "intelligent" and "interactive" concepts. The IPC is a new control platform that delivers "integrated" and "intelligent" automation to production sites and equipment around the world. OMRON is going to work on manufacturing innovation with manufacturers by developing OMRON's unique automation using a wide range of FA product lineups, including PLCs and IPCs, and open industrial networks such as EtherCAT.

(*1) Sysmac automation platform

OMRON's integrated automation platform is dedicated to providing complete control and management of an automation plant under one software. Programming based on global standards and global open networks allows for building the globally standardized system. At the core of this platform, the machine controller series offers synchronous control of all machine devices and advanced functionality such as motion, robotics and database connectivity. This multidisciplinary concept allows you to simplify solution architecture, reduce programming and optimize productivity.

(*2) The Industrial PC IPC Machine Controller will be available soon.

(*3) Available in Japan only.

(*4) Choice of real-time operating systems: Linux and VxWorks.

(Main specifications: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201607262800/_prw_OA1fl_Ee2ax533.pdf)

About OMRON Corporation

OMRON Corporation is a global leader in the field of automation based on its core technology of sensing and control. OMRON's business fields cover a broad spectrum, ranging from industrial automation and electronic components to automotive electronic components, social infrastructure systems, healthcare, and environmental solutions. Established in 1933, OMRON has over 38,000 employees worldwide, working to provide products and services in more than 110 countries and regions. In the field of industrial automation, OMRON supports manufacturing innovation by providing advanced automation technologies and products, as well as through extensive customer support, in order to help create a better society. For more information, visit OMRON's website at: http://www.omron.com/