March 2, 2011 - Hoffmann + Krippner has launched an IP65/NEMA-rated 10.4-inch touch screen industrial PC range that uses the company’s innovative membrane input technology to support cost-effective front panel customization in order volumes as low as just 20 units. The open architecture flex-IPC M series comprises three robust and durable panel PCs with front panels that are sealed in accordance with IP65/NEMA ratings. This makes them ideal for industrial automation, food processing, medical, pharmaceutical, automotive and other harsh manufacturing and processing environments where the PCs need to be protected from moisture and liquids or the front panels need to be regularly washed down and cleaned.
Featuring 49 function keys and an integrated alphanumeric keypad, flex-IPC M industrial PCs combine a 10.4-inch resistive touchscreen with extensive I/O connectivity and a variety of processor and memory configurations. As well as customizing the software, hardware and touchscreen, system builders and integrators can specify turnkey front panel designs to further enhance human machine interface (HMI) and system ‘look and feel’ in accordance with customer-, application- or environment-specific requirements. Custom options include the addition of company branding and logos, the specification of colour schemes and the labelling of individual keys to specific customer and application requirements.
Hoffmann + Krippner’s new industrial touch screen panel PC family is made up of the flex-IPC M ‘Basic’, Flex-IPC M ‘Advanced’ and flex-IPC M ‘Power’ models. Based on a 500MHz AMD Geode LX processor and with a power consumption of just 5W, the Basic model is optimised to deliver an excellent power/performance ratio. The flex-IPC M Advanced is a high-performance system built around an Intel Atom processor running at 1.6GHz and the flex-IPC M Power model uses an AMD Mobile Athlon Neo L325 dual core processor and combines high performance with scalability.
Both the Basic and Advanced models are supplied with Microsoft WinCE 6.0, while the Power model comes with Microsoft Windows 7. Standard system memory configurations for the new industrial touch screen panel PCs are 512MB for the Basic model and 1GB for the Advanced and Power models. The flex-IPC M Basic and flex-IPC M Advanced feature 2GB of solid state Flash storage, rising to 16GB for the Power option.
Depending on the specific model connectivity options include Ethernet and Gbit Ethernet ports, internal mini-PCI connections, RS-232 and RS-485/422/232 ports and up to two USB 2.0 interfaces. All models feature audio line in/out. As well as offering options for full turnkey front panel design the new flex-IPC M series can also be used in conjunction with the flex-IPC EasyLabel system. Using Microsoft Word templates EasyLabel allows users to print their own customised key labels on any laser printer.
About Hoffmann + Krippner
Founded in 1972, Hoffmann + Krippner has become a global leader in the design and development of high-quality and innovative input solutions for a diverse range of industries ranging from electronics and industrial automation to medical, pharmaceuticals and food processing. The company, which has its headquarters in Buchen, Germany, offers a broad portfolio of technologies that ranges from standard membrane keyboards to completely customised input systems encompassing housing, electronics and software.
