OnLogic Tacton Series: New Panel PC & Display Technology
OnLogic has announced a new customizable HMI interface that uses modern PC technology with an integrated industrial touchscreen for a flexible control environment.
For many years, panel PCs have grown in familiarity as the interface of choice for many HMI applications. An HMI application runtime is installed on a rugged industrial PC that is designed with a built-in panel-mounted touchscreen monitor to allow operators to interact with the software. This technology allows designers to build advanced HMI applications with any modern HMI IDE.
Tacton: PC Combined With HMI Technology
Recently, OnLogic, which is a manufacturer of industrial PCs, has released a product line of panel PCs and panel displays, including the Tacton TC401 and TN101.
The new Tacton panel PC and HMI series from OnLogic. Image used courtesy of OnLogic
Tacton Panel PC TC401
The Tacton TC401 product line consists of three different display options, 12.1”, 15.6”, and 21.5”, with the last two being full HD displays. Intel Alder Lake N series processors are supported up to the 12th gen i3 processor. For memory, the system is configurable up to 16GB of DDR5 memory and comes with M.2 storage with additional M.2 expansion slots on the motherboard. Each Tacton PC can be equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or 4G cellular. For harsh environments, the Tacton is IP66 or IP69K rated and has an operating temperature of -20°C to 70°C.
The front panel display uses resistive or capacitive touch technology for situations where operators are working with gloved hands or in wet conditions. The brightness of the display is adjustable for indoor or outdoor use, even in direct sunlight.
The TC401 also supports multiple displays. Natively, you can add one additional display via the integrated display port, but if an MST hub is added, up to three displays can be supported.
Mounting the panel PC into a cutout in a control cabinet. Image used courtesy of OnLogic
HMI Customization
Each Tacton display size can be customized to your requirements, allowing you to not only select the processor and memory size, but also to add additional COM ports or even additional Ethernet ports. Antennas can be added for wireless communication technologies. OnLogic’s Modbay expansion slot allows for additional RS232 communication or Ethernet via RJ45 connection or M12 X-coded connections. Four additional USB ports can also be added through the Modbay expansion slot.
Powering the TC401 is just as flexible, with a standard power input requiring 12-24 VDC or an optional wide voltage power input allowing 12-48 VDC. The TN101 display requires 120 VAC or 24 VDC if you don’t use the power adapter.
The Tacton TC401 appeared at Embedded World in Germany in April 2024. Image used courtesy of Jeff Child, All About Circuits
Tacton Panel Display TN101
If your system doesn’t require the PC portion but you still want a high-performing touchscreen interface, the TN101 is a panel-mounted display that has all the same display features and options as the TC401. The same three screen sizes are offered in the same resolutions, and the TN101 is also offered with an IP66 or IP69K rating. Four USB 3.0 ports are provided, along with one USB Type-A port.
Standardized Displays
For equipment builders, creating a standard list of components can save design time. Curating this list can be difficult because not all customers have the same requirements, so the OEM needs to develop a list of components that can be customized. The TC401 is designed to fill this role, an HMI that can be customized to meet a wide range of customer and application needs, all with one standardized device.
