Overview
Manufacturing environments rely on stable automation systems to keep production lines running efficiently, even when space, heat, and connectivity constraints create integration challenges. A company in the industrial automation sector needed a compact computing platform capable of supporting control, monitoring, networking, and data handling inside factory environments. Premio’s semi-rugged fanless mini computer provided the processing performance, I/O flexibility, and industrial reliability required for modern automation deployments.
Challenges
- Need for Intel Core Ultra processing performance to support automation workloads
- Limited network connectivity for multiple machines, controllers, and factory systems
- Requirement for flexible expansion to support wireless, cellular, and storage options
- Space-constrained deployment areas requiring compact fanless hardware
- Need for reliable operation across wide factory temperature and voltage conditions
Solution
- Premio’s semi-rugged fanless mini computer (BCO-500-MTL)
- Intel Core Ultra Meteor Lake U processor support with 15W TDP
- Three Intel 2.5GbE LAN ports for connected automation systems
- DDR5 memory, M.2 storage, 4G, 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, and SIM support
- Fanless design with 12V to 24V DC input and -20°C to 60°C operation
Benefits
- More reliable automation uptime
- Easier machine and network integration
- Compact platform for scalable factory deployments
Company Overview
The company develops automation solutions that help manufacturers improve production visibility, control, and operational consistency. Its systems support factory equipment, industrial networks, and edge computing applications across demanding production environments. As smart manufacturing adoption grows, the company continues advancing compact, connected, and reliable automation platforms.
The Challenges
Processing Automation Workloads
Automation systems require dependable processing performance to manage machine data, control software, and real-time monitoring tasks. The company needed a platform that could support modern workloads without relying on bulky desktop computers. Intel Core Ultra processor support gave the deployment a stronger compute foundation for edge automation.
Connecting Multiple Industrial Systems
Factory environments often require computers to communicate with machines, controllers, sensors, and higher level network systems at the same time. Limited LAN connectivity would force external adapters or switches, increasing complexity inside control areas. Three Intel 2.5GbE ports helped simplify connectivity across automation networks.
Supporting Expansion Requirements
Industrial automation deployments often evolve as new wireless modules, cellular connections, or storage requirements are added. The company needed a system that could adapt without requiring a complete hardware redesign. M.2 expansion, SIM support, DDR5 memory, and NVMe or SATA storage support provided flexibility for future configurations.
Fitting Into Space-Constrained Areas
Automation computers are often installed near machines, inside cabinets, or in compact factory workstations. Large systems can complicate integration and increase maintenance needs. The compact fanless design helped the company deploy computing closer to automation equipment while reducing moving parts.
Operating Reliably In Factory Conditions
Manufacturing environments can expose computers to temperature variation and power input differences. Standard commercial computers may not be suitable for these conditions over long production cycles. The BCO-500-MTL supported -20°C to 60°C operation and 12V to 24V DC input for more dependable industrial deployment.
The Solution
Compact Automation Compute Platform
The engineering team selected the BCO-500-MTL as the core computing platform for factory automation deployment. Its compact size made it suitable for control cabinets, equipment areas, and space-limited industrial workstations. The fanless design helped reduce maintenance concerns in production environments.
Intel Core Ultra Processor Support
The system supports Intel Core Ultra Meteor Lake U processors with a 15W TDP. This provided efficient processing performance for automation software, monitoring applications, and machine data handling. The platform helped balance performance and power efficiency in factory environments.
Industrial Networking Flexibility
Three Intel 2.5GbE LAN ports allowed the system to connect with multiple automation networks. This supported communication between machines, controllers, and plant level systems without excessive external networking hardware. The result was a cleaner and more manageable deployment architecture.
Expandable System Configuration
The BCO-500-MTL supports DDR5 memory up to 48GB, M.2 storage, 4G or 5G expansion, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a SIM socket. These options allowed the company to configure the system based on different automation use cases. As deployments scale, the same platform can support wired, wireless, and cellular connectivity requirements.
Factory Ready Reliability
The system supports wide temperature operation from minus 20°C to 60°C and wide voltage DC input from 12V to 24V. These features helped match the environmental and electrical realities of manufacturing deployments. dTPM 2.0 support also added a hardware based security capability for industrial computing environments.
The Benefits
More Reliable Automation Uptime
The fanless design, wide temperature support, and industrial power input helped improve system dependability across factory environments.
Easier Integration
Multiple LAN, USB, COM, DisplayPort, Type C, and expansion options simplified integration with automation equipment and factory networks.
Scalable Deployment Platform
The company gained a compact computing foundation that can be configured for different automation projects and future connectivity needs.
Conclusion
By deploying Premio’s BCO-500-MTL, the industrial automation company strengthened its factory computing platform with compact size, flexible connectivity, and industrial-grade reliability. The system helped simplify automation integration while supporting dependable operation in demanding manufacturing environments.