Autonics Redevelops APC Series of 10.1-Inch Touchscreen Panel PCs

Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, Autonics is a global supplier of object detection sensors, temperature and pressure sensors, vision systems, and motion control systems. The company’s product catalog includes fiber optic sensors, displacement sensors, smart vision systems, and industrial PCs. Adding to its solutions, Autonics has redeveloped its APC Series of 10.1-inch panel PCs to serve customers better.

Autonics’ APC series panel PC features a 10.1-inch touchscreen and LCD display. Image used courtesy of Autonics

The APC Series IPC

Autonics’ upgraded APC series IPC is a 10.1-inch IPS TFT LCD screen, which works with gloved hands or a stylus. The APC panel PC uses a quad-core processor and Windows 10 operating system to execute HMI applications that allow users to interact with automated equipment. Mounting the APC panel PC is possible with VESA or panel mounting.

Autonics has ensured the APC series has multiple types of communication connections, with support for Ethernet, USB, Serial (RS232, RS485, RS422), VGA, HDMI, and audio. Each APC comes with 8GB of DDR4 memory and a 64GB mSATA SSD. With wide viewing angles and multiple connection methods, the APC panel PC works well for industrial HMI applications.

The APC series supports different types of communication connections, including HDMI, USB, and Ethernet. Image used courtesy of Autonics

Industrial Panel PCs

Common HMIs are embedded PCs that only run specific HMI applications. Other software cannot be installed, and the HMI is only used to communicate with a control system such as a PLC. A panel PC is a PC that has an embedded monitor that is a touchscreen. The panel PC uses the same specifications seen in the retail market for PCs. They can also execute virtually any HMI application, making the panel PC a customizable solution for industrial automation machine builders. The PC can be mounted on the face of electrical cabinets or on articulating monitor arms to allow ergonomic placement for operators.

The APC panel PC can be mounted to a VESA arm (as shown above) or panel mounted. Image used courtesy of Autonics

HMI Runtime

When building an HMI application, screens can be edited within editing software — once the application has been built, it complies, and a runtime file is created. This runtime file is similar to an application executed on a computer. The runtime file combined with the installation of the runtime software allows a PC to be used as an HMI. Using a touchscreen monitor reduces the need for a keyboard and mouse.

The APC series functions as a compact panel PC to be used in place of an HMI. Image used courtesy of Autonics

Industrial Control and Management

Smaller equipment typically does not need large HMIs for their applications, and commonly, panel PCs are rather large. The APC panel PCs from Autonics have a compact screen size of 10.1 inches measured diagonally. This compact build enables designers to use panel PCs in applications where dedicated HMIs are commonly used. By using an APC series panel PC in place of a dedicated HMI, other software can be installed along with the HMI runtime software, such as data collection, machine learning software, vision software, and even databases.