Rockwell Automation Unveils New Family of Industrial PCs
Rockwell Automation unveiled a new family of industrial computers last week built with IIoT computing capabilities and more.
The VersaView 6300 Series comes after Rockwell’s acquisition of digital information technologies firm ASEM S.p.A. last April. The new industrial computer family is the result of ASEM’s IoT and software expertise combined with Rockwell Automation’s global talent and resources.
New components from Rockwell. Image used courtesy of Rockwell Automation.
The VersaView 6300 Series
The VersaView 6300 Series is essentially a portfolio of industrial PCs, thin clients, and monitors. All products in this category include an edge-to-edge, all glass, and a four-point multitouch screen that can also be operated with gloves. The VersaView 6300 includes screen size ranging from 8.4 to 24” with a resolution of up to full high definition.
Industrial PC's. Image used courtesy of Rockwell Automation.
Standard resolutions include FHD, HD, SVGA, VGA, SXGA, and XGA, and the screens come in both analog resistive or projected capacitive options. All screens in this category feature IP66 environmental ratings and some of the models also have front and back USB ports. Finally, The VersaView 6300 Series features a series of safety certifications, including in ATEX and Pending UL Class 1 Division 2 listings for hazardous location environments.
The ASEM Acquisition
Before becoming part of the Rockwell Automation group, ASEM was an industrial automation company that was founded in Italy in 1979 by Renzo Guerra. The firm focuses on the manufacturing of industrial PCs and monitors, HMI devices and Industrial IoT gateways, among other things.
In the spring of 2020, Rockwell purchased 100% of the shares making up the share capital of ASEM, effectively absorbing the company under its name. Following the acquisition, the American automation giant has effectively added a world-class Center of Excellence for R&D and manufacturing in Italy.
"It has been an exciting time bringing the capabilities of ASEM into the Rockwell Automation portfolio, and it is fantastic to be launching the VersaView 6300 family,” commented EMEA President Susana Gonzalez.
According to the executive, Europe is known to be a powerhouse of market-leading industrial computing technology, and ASEM becoming part of Rockwell Automation will also help the company reach new markets
“Our new capacity for R&D and manufacturing of world-class technology in Italy will benefit our customers, especially machine builders, not only in the EMEA region but in the world," she added.
The Future of Industrial PC/Motors
The new family is part of the Rockwell Automation IIoT computing capability group, a team focusing on the development of IIoT data solutions for smart devices, on machines, and across the plant. VersaView 6300 has been designed to help companies improve productivity and efficiency, with a focus on the visualization and data-aggregation point in particular. With the new PCs, Rockwell Automation is stepping up its efforts in IPC technology to give machine builders more flexibility in operations’ accessibility and management via screen panels.
The machines under the VersaView 6300 umbrella also come with Rockwell Automation’s ThinManager software installed, a centralized management solution designed to integrate with industrial computers and thin clients.
Rockwell's Thinmanager technology. Image used courtesy of Rockwell Automation.
Commenting on the news, Guerra said the VersaView products represented the culmination of all quality and innovation ASEM had developed over the past 40 years.
“This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the ASEM story as our Artegna-based operation continues to support and develop our cutting-edge industrial automation computing technology for our existing customers and reaches new markets around the world," the ASEM CEO added. The VersaView 6300 family will be available to purchasers in the next few months, and full technical details and specifications are available now.
What do you think about Rockwell’s acquisition of ASEM and VersaView 6300 Series?
