Automation specialist Novotek UK and Ireland is now distributing the new RXi2-BP industrial PC (IPC) from Emerson Automation to manufacturing and engineering businesses in the UK. The new box IPC, which is the latest in Emerson's RXi2 series of industrial computers, offers mid-to-high performance computing functions for data processing at the field level in a compact footprint and ruggedised enclosure.

The RXi2-BP contains an AMD Ryzen V1000 quad core processor, ranging from 2.0 GHz to 2.4 GHz depending on model, and up to 16GB of RAM for fast processing of data in the field. This allows the IPC to effectively handle high volumes of data and to run industrial applications — including data analysis, Historian software and human machine interface (HMI) systems — directly on a machine. The increased power of the processor allows the IPC to offer high performance at as little as one-third the price of standard products on the market.

To provide fast connectivity and data uplink, the RXi2-BP includes up to four 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports. The IPC also contains a 128-512GB solid state drive for data writing, alongside RS-232 and RS-422/RS-485 serial ports and optional cellular modem or WiFi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity for data communication.

"Industrial PCs are an increasingly common feature of modern industrial environments," says George Walker, managing director of Novotek UK and Ireland. "As more data is produced by automated machines and systems, the more powerful these PCs need to be able to handle the quantities of data and provide pre-processing closer to the source of generation. It is for this reason that industrial edge computing has grown in popularity, and it's a factor behind the RXi2 series' high performance.

"Because of the RXi2-BP's AMD Ryzen processor and 16GB DDR4 RAM, it is well suited to run valuable industrial applications like HMI and data analysis at the machine-level cost-effectively. This allows engineers to improve real-time operations insight, streamline process control and smooth the integration between local production lines and plant-wide systems. As we know from being a provider of automation hardware and software, even the most effective industrial software is dependent on reliable hardware.

"Some of the sectors that will have greater need for fast, effective data processing are process industries such as food and beverage and metal production. In these environments, IPCs must be ruggedised and able to withstand elevated operating temperatures. To meet these requirements, the RXi2-BP can be provided with an extended operating temperature of -40 to +70 degrees Celsius."

To ensure consistent performance, the RXi2-BP features a fanless design to reduce moving parts and reduce the risk of dust ingress leading to overheating. The IPC is kept temperature controlled due to using an industrial temperature version of the AMD Ryzen chip alongside Emerson's passive cooling technology.

Contact a member of the Novotek UK team on +44(0) 141 332 1551 to find out more about the RXi2-BP, or any of the other new IPCS in Emerson Automation's RXi2 range.