Schneider Electric introduces thin client, compact PCs

Palatine, IL—Schneider Electric recently expanded its family of Telemecanique industrial PCs by introducing its Magelis Smart iPC, a thin client for Ethernet architectures, and its Magelis Compact iPC, which is designed for embedding in small machines or enclosures.

By Control Engineering Staff December 15, 2004

Palatine, IL— Schneider Electric recently expanded its family of Telemecanique industrial PCs by introducing its Magelis Smart iPC, a thin client for Ethernet architectures, and its Magelis Compact iPC, which is designed for embedding in small machines or enclosures. The firm says its new industrial PCs are aimed at OEMs and industrial users, who want PC and touchscreen technology in a compact footprint.

At just 100 mm deep, Compact iPC is reportedly ideal for machine builders, who want an easily installed and integrated graphic interface. Besides a basic, entry-level model, loaded only with Windows 2000, Compact iPC can be bundled with Telemecanique Vijeo Look SCADA software to create a ready-to-use, all-in-one HMI solution.

Meanwhile, Smart iPC is reportedly one of the slimmest thin client displays available, with 67 x 67 mm depth and height. All the components required for Ethernet architectures are pre-installed. This Transparent Ready, web-based display provides real-time data visualization with a web browser and can be bundled with FactoryCast applets for real-time data monitoring. Windows XPe assures access to all CE-based graphics, as well as HTML files and Java applets.

Together with its Modular Magelis iPC, which was designed for control and HMI applications with complex adaptation requirements, Schneider’s Magelis iPC family meets many application architecture requirements, from entry level to high end. Both new products conform to UL508, CSA, and CE, and are rated Class 1, Div. 2 for use in hazardous environments.

In addition, each of the two new products has an onboard, 10 BaseT/100 BaseTX Mbps Ethernet port. Both feature PCMCIA and USB expansion slots, while the Compact iPC also offers a PCI slot. These slots can be used to set up several simultaneous network connections, or to add additional devices.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com