Contec introduces Panecon PT 600 rugged PC, 15 single-board computers

Microelectronics USA Inc.

By Mark T. Hoske, editor-in-chief March 20, 2001

Chicago, Ill.- Contec Microelectronics USA Inc. (Milpitas, Ca.) introduced the new Panecon PT 600 Series of rugged panel-mount industrial PC, with many configuration options. The new line was on of several Contec introductions and announcements at National Manufacturing Week here, on March 5.

Panecon PT 600 has a Mobile 400MHz Celeron CPU and no cooling fan; a watch-dog timer, alarm outputs, and remote reset help assure reliability. The series without expansion slots measures 3.1-in. deep; with expansion slots units are 5.5-in. deep. Built with a metal exterior they weigh 16.5-18.5 lb, with at least seven configuration options to choose from. Ethernet is built-in (100Base-TX/10Base-T RJ-45 Intel 82559) along with two USB ports and two Type II PCMCIA slots. The Panecon PT 600 Series is also available with two half-size PCI/ISA expansion slots. A floppy drive and CD ROM drive are available as external options.

In separate news, Contec Microelectronics USA Inc. announces the opening of a new R&D facility for the rapid deployment of single board computers, which is says will help in launching an expected 25 new single-board computers (SBCs) through 2001. The first fifteen are available now and include small embedded, half-size and full-size boards in formats including PICMG, PISA, ISA, NLX, and CompactPCI.

Shawn Lance, director of sales and marketing, Contec Microelectronics USA Inc., says the move ‘indicates a shift from our history of manufacturing SBCs in Japan. We are now going to the center of expertise in the manufacturing of motherboards and SBCs and moving this product line to Taiwan.’ Priority remains being able to control the ‘quality and the longevity of our SBCs,’ he adds.

Contec is based in Osaka, Japan, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Daifuku Co. Ltd. Daifuku, founded in 1937. Mr. Lance says the company is the world’s largest manufacturer of material handling equipment, with a workforce of 3,100 employees and net sales exceeding $1 billion. Contec was established in 1975 and offers industrial automation systems based on its line of industrial PCs and data acquisition hardware products.