Manufacturing environments require reliable computing systems to support real-time monitoring, data communication, and network connectivity throughout production and testing operations. One customer specializing in the design and manufacturing of industrial panel products needed a compact industrial IoT gateway platform that could fit inside space constrained cabinets while delivering stable fanless performance and industrial grade connectivity. This case study explores how Premio’s RCO-1000-EHL helped support industrial panel manufacturing operations with its ultra compact rugged design, comprehensive I/O connectivity, and industrial certified reliability.
Challenges
- Limited installation space inside industrial automation control cabinets
- Need for reliable thermal performance below 55°C in fanless operation
- Insufficient connectivity for dual LAN and dual DisplayPort industrial interfaces
- Requirement for DIN rail mounting support in compact control systems
- UL and MIL-STD-810H compliance required for industrial deployment validation
Solution
- Premio’s fanless mini computer with Intel® Atom® x6425E processor (RCO-1000-EHL Series)
- Ultra compact size 150 (W) x 105 (D) x 49 (H) with DIN rail mounting option
- Fanless thermal architecture supporting reliable operation across a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to 70°C
- Comprehensive connectivity: 2x LAN, 2x DisplayPort, 2x COM, USB 3.2, and CAN Bus support
- World class certifications: UL, CE, FCC, and MIL-STD-810H compliance
Benefits
- Long-term deployment stability with Intel embedded processor lifecycle support of up to ten years
- Responsive engineering support from the Los Angeles headquarters team, backed by ISO certified manufacturing and quality standards
Company Overview
Founded to support industrial automation and electrical infrastructure projects, the company specializes in designing and manufacturing industrial panel products for monitoring, connectivity, and control applications. Its solutions help streamline industrial operations through reliable panel integration and system level communication technologies. As manufacturing environments continue adopting smarter and more connected workflows, the company continues expanding its capabilities in industrial automation and edge enabled infrastructure.
The Challenges
Space Constrained Industrial Installations
Manufacturing and testing cabinets often have very limited space for additional computing hardware. The customer needed a compact embedded system that could fit alongside existing controllers, networking equipment, and electrical components without increasing cabinet size. Traditional industrial PCs were too large and difficult to integrate into these space constrained manufacturing environments while still meeting rugged industrial requirements.
Thermal Stability for Fanless Operation
The customer required reliable fanless performance for continuous industrial workloads while maintaining stable operating temperatures below 55°C. Limited airflow inside manufacturing cabinets created thermal challenges for conventional compact systems. A rugged thermal design was critical to ensure long-term reliability and uninterrupted operation.
Industrial Connectivity Requirements
The industrial IoT gateway solution needed flexible connectivity to support real-time monitoring, networking, and communication throughout manufacturing and testing operations. Dual LAN and dual DisplayPort interfaces allowed the system to support segmented networks and multi-display visualization within the production environment.
Flexible DIN Rail Deployment
The customer required a compact system with DIN rail mounting support for seamless installation inside space constrained cabinets.
Industrial Certification Compliance
The deployment required industrial grade certifications to ensure long-term reliability in demanding manufacturing environments. UL, CE, FCC, and MIL-STD-810H compliance validated the system’s durability against shock, vibration, and harsh operating conditions.
The Solution
Premio’s fanless mini computer with Intel® Atom® x6425E processor (RCO-1000-EHL Series)
The RCO-1000-EHL Series delivered a rugged and compact edge computing solution designed for industrial IoT and manufacturing environments. Powered by the Intel® Atom® x6425E processor, the solution provided efficient low-power performance optimized for continuous edge workloads in space-constrained deployments. Its fanless rugged architecture improved long-term reliability, while Premio’s modular EDGEBoost I/O technology enabled flexible expansion with support for up to three EDGEBoost I/O brackets, including additional USB, COM, HDMI, DP, and DIO configurations based on application requirements.
Ultra Compact Industrial Design
The ultra compact size of 150 (W) x 105 (D) x 49 (H) mm enabled easy deployment inside space constrained manufacturing cabinets. Optional DIN rail mounting support simplified installation while maximizing available cabinet space. Its rugged fanless and cableless design also improved deployment flexibility across industrial manufacturing environments.
Wide Temperature Fanless Reliability
The fanless thermal architecture enabled stable and maintenance free operation while maintaining operating temperatures below 55°C in confined manufacturing environments. Supporting a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to 70°C, the solution delivered reliable thermal performance for continuous industrial workloads. The low-power Intel® Atom® x6425E processor also helped ensure long-term operational stability in demanding edge deployments.
Comprehensive Industrial Connectivity
The solution provided comprehensive industrial connectivity with 2x LAN, 2x DisplayPort, 2x COM, USB 3.2, and CAN Bus support. These interfaces enabled seamless communication across manufacturing equipment, testing stations, operator displays, and industrial networks throughout the panel production environment. The wide range of onboard connectivity simplified integration while reducing the need for additional expansion hardware.
Industrial Grade Certification Compliance
RCO-1000-EHL delivered industrial grade reliability with UL, CE, FCC, and MIL-STD-810H compliance. These certifications ensured reliable operation in demanding manufacturing environments exposed to shock, vibration, and continuous industrial workloads. The rugged certified design also provided long-term deployment confidence for industrial IoT gateway applications.
The Benefits
Long-Term Deployment Reliability
Support for Intel® embedded processor longevity helped ensure the customer could maintain stable manufacturing and monitoring operations without frequent hardware redesigns or platform changes. This provided greater long-term deployment flexibility and reduced lifecycle management concerns for industrial environments.
Local Engineering Support and Manufacturing Quality
Direct engineering support from Premio’s Los Angeles headquarters provided responsive technical guidance throughout evaluation and deployment. Combined with certified manufacturing processes, this helped ensure reliable product quality and dependable long-term operation in demanding industrial environments.
Conclusion
By deploying Premio’s RCO-1000-EHL Ultra Compact Super-Rugged IoT Gateway, the customer was able to implement a compact and reliable industrial IoT gateway solution across its manufacturing and testing environments. The solution delivered the thermal performance, connectivity, and rugged reliability needed to support continuous industrial workloads inside space-constrained cabinets. With comprehensive I/O connectivity and industrial grade certifications, the deployment also provided a scalable foundation for future manufacturing and operational expansion.