Rugged embedded industrial automation controller for machine-to-machine applications
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Winmate is a Taiwanese company founded in 1994. Specializing in industrial display technologies and solutions, Winmate also branched out into Tablet PCs, digital signage, marine grade displays and computers and, most recently, rugged Mobile PCs, panels, and embedded automation controllers such as the G-WIN Rugged Box PC shown here.

If you've ever watched the "How things are made" TV show on the Discovery Channel you probably noticed that these days machines are making machines. There is human involvement, of course, but large parts on many manufacturing processes are entirely done by hugely complex machines that operate with stunning speed and even more amazing accuracy. The traditional Human Machine Interface (HMI) is no longer sufficient to handle these complex systems and is becoming more and more supplemented by machine-to-machine interfaces. These Industrial Automation Controllers are essentially embedded headless PCs configured for a variety of processing and input/output control tasks.

The Winmate's G-Win I370 Rugged Box PC is designed for industrial automation and M2M (machine to machine) applications. It combines an Intel Celeron M, Core Duo, or Core 2 Duo processor with extensive and flexible I/O support both for legacy connections requiring RS232/422/485 serial ports (there are no fewer than five) with isolation and auto-direction function, as well as digital I/O ports, standard USB connections and gigabit Ethernet. Storage options include shock-mounted hard disks, solid state disks, and industrial grade CF Flash. Good thermal engineering means no fan and therefore no ventilation holes.

A robust and totally sealed 11.7 x 8.4 x 2.8-inch aluminum housing offers advanced anti-shock and anti-vibration properties as well as optional power isolation resistance (1,500 Volt DC). Mounting is via a DIN rail mounting kit, wall mount, or standard VESA mounting systems. The operating temperature range is a wide 14 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

G-Win automation controllers can be used in vehicles, stationary, and in harsh and outdoor environments.