Advantech Launches Dual-node Short-depth 4U Chassis

Advantech, a IPC service provider that delivers industrial computing solutions, is launching the 4U, dual-node, short-depth (350mm), industrial chassis ACP-4D00 which is designed for high-end machine automation applications that require two computers in one piece of equipment for workload sharing or parallel computing.

The innovative dual-node architecture allows the user to install two half-size slot SBCs in two sub-systems and integrate them in a compact 4U cage. Each node supports a CPU card with desktop Core i processor, 6-slot backplane and up to 350W power supply so the computer node can be used for either traditional control applications or for high end CPU/GPU computing. For example, in an AOI (Automatic Optical Inspection) application, one node can be used for controlling camera, robotic arm movements, capturing image or sensor data, HMI, etc. while the other can be used for processing data and generating inspection results.

By adopting half-size slot SBC architecture, ACP-4D00 depth is only 350mm, making it easy to integrate into equipment enclosures and leaving more space for air flow, device placement, and cable routing. Tool-less design allows the user to pull out the sub-system, open its top-lid, or take out the system fan just by loosening thumb-screws; no screwdriver needed. This facilitates equipment maintenance, and equipment mean time to repair (MTTR) becomes shorter.

Each ACP-4D00 node supports a PICMG 1.3 or PCI half-size CPU card with computing power up to desktop Core i7, 6-slot backplane with maximum 3 PCIe or PCI expansion slots (3 slots are occupied by CPU card) and 250W or 350W high-efficiency 80 Plus power supply. The excellent thermal design ensures that high-end Core i7 processor and discrete GPU card run stably for intense data or image processing tasks.

There is one external 3.5” shock resistant drive bay in each sub-system; the user can choose to install one internal 3.5” hard drive or one Advantech IDT-3120 drive bay converter module in either or both sub-systems. Each IDT-3120 converter module provides two hot-swap 2.5” drive trays; this makes for easy maintenance and is handy for RAID 0/1 arrays. The drive bay itself is protected by four special-design rubber screws so storage device read/write speed remains normal even in a vibrating environment. This is important because many pieces of industrial equipment have moving parts such as cameras, robotic arms, conveyors, etc., that generate vibration.

Currently, Advantech offers two PICMG 1.3 CPU cards—PCE-3028 (Intel Q87), PCE-4128 (Intel C226), and three PICMG 1.3 backplanes—PCE-3B03-00A1E, PCE-3B06-00A1E, and PCE-3B06-03A1E, for use with ACP-4D00. The system configurations support the latest Intel 4th generation Core i processors, advanced PCIe Gen 3, or legacy PCI expansions. These should meet most computing performance and scalability requirements for today’s high-end machine automation applications.

ACP-4D00 is an ideal industrial chassis solution for high-end equipment builders, and will be available in December 2014.

Featured

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.