With the new C7015 ultra-compact Industrial PC, Beckhoff combines its extensive expertise with PC-based machine control and IP 65/67 components. The result is an Industrial PC (IPC) designed with IP 65/67 protection for direct installation on the machine or other equipment. The edge device is ideal for decentralized installation and provides powerful multi-core computing performance. When used as a full-fledged control computer, the device also reduces the required control cabinet space. This simplifies machine design as well as subsequent system expansions.
The C7015 ultra-compact IPC, which measures 85 x 167 x 43 mm, is an economical yet high-performance IP 65/67 device designed for installation within machine environments. The space-saving, fanless device is universally suited to high-performance automation, visualization and communication purposes. Its applications range from classic machine control to the decentralized edge computing utilized in advanced Industrie 4.0 concepts.
High-performance edge device
The C7015 is equipped with a powerful Intel Atom® multi-core CPU with up to four processor cores. Compared to conventional ARM-based edge devices, it is able to support far more demanding applications as well as decentralized data pre-processing and the acquisition of large data volumes. The device housing with IP 65/67 protection rating is another feature that makes the C7015 ideal for use in modern edge applications, even in harsh production environments.
Decentralized machine control with EtherCAT P
The IP 65/67 IPC also serves as a highly functional machine controller. Installing it directly in the field can save valuable electrical cabinet space. This reduces machine footprints significantly, especially when combined with other Beckhoff components with a high protection rating, such as the AMP8000 distributed servo drive system and the EPP series of EtherCAT P I/O modules. These solutions can vastly simplify machine design while also minimizing the effort of subsequent system expansions, such as the addition of an energy data acquisition system.
The integrated EtherCAT P connection of the C7015 creates a range of new options for efficient sensor/actuator connection via the IP 67protected EPP modules. In this way, even complex diagnostic or condition monitoring tasks can be decentralized and supported with minimal installation effort, for example. For that purpose, a special mounting plate enables direct attachment of an EPP module to the C7015. If required, additional EPP modules can be flexibly connected via EtherCAT P for specific applications.