New industrial PCs: Powerful technology for automation and AI

Control & Regulation Five New Products in the Category Control & Regulation

2025-09-09 Source: EFCO, Kistler Group, Murrelektronik, Hans Turck, ACD Drive Technology | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

Related Vendors

EFCO Electronics GmbH

Kistler Instrumente AG

Hans Turck GmbH & Co. KG

ACD Antriebstechnik GmbH

Murrelektronik GmbH

more less

This August, we were impressed by: a new industrial PC with 16 digital I/Os and 2.5-GB PoE LAN, an analog controller for easy implementation of double sheet control via tool-integrated sensors, new managed switches with IP67 protection, robust cable pull encoders, and monitored signal lamps.

The AIM13 series from EFCO includes seven fanless IPC models, all equipped with at least 2 x GbE with PoE. For both PoE and the additional AI hardware accelerator, a supply voltage of 9...36 V DC is sufficient for the internal power supply.(Image: EFCO) — The AIM13 series from EFCO includes seven fanless IPC models, all equipped with at least 2 x GbE with PoE. For both PoE and the additional AI hardware accelerator, a supply voltage of 9...36 V DC is sufficient for the internal power supply.
(Image: EFCO)

EFCO, a manufacturer of fanless industrial PCs for machine vision, automation, and AI, introduces its newly developed Eagle-Eyes AIM13 family. These systems utilize hybrid "Raptor Lake" processors, offering highly flexible power management. Alongside EFCO's signature 16 digital IOs, they feature 2 x 2.5 GB LAN and scalable AI accelerator hardware. In control cabinets, the new generation of IPCs impresses with a wide-range DC power supply and surge-protected inputs.

The new Eagle-Eyes IPC family AIM13 includes a total of seven compact industrial computers with highly flexible power management that provides immense computing power when needed but impresses with extremely low power consumption during idle phases. Completely new to this device class are the two 2.5-GB high-speed LAN ports with PoE (Power over Ethernet). This allows high-performance cameras with high frame rates to be directly connected to the PC via a single cable. To enable faster image evaluation or quicker recognition and classification of patterns, an optional scalable AI accelerator hardware is available.

Monitoring Directly in the Stamping Tool

Stamping: The new KCA 400T monitoring system from Kistler allows the convenient use of analog sensors directly in the stamping tool.(Image: Kistler Group) — Stamping: The new KCA 400T monitoring system from Kistler allows the convenient use of analog sensors directly in the stamping tool.
(Image: Kistler Group)

To make better use of analog sensors in stamping processes, Kistler has developed the Analog Controller KCA 400T: the modernized subsystem for monitoring systems on stamping machines enables easy implementation of double-sheet control using tool-integrated sensors, also as a retrofit for older machines, thanks to its large touch display. With the new KCA 400T, analog sensors integrated into stamping tools can be conveniently parameterized and connected to the stamping machine or its monitoring system. The Analog Controller features four inputs for analog sensors (0 to 10 V) and one digital output (PNP). The large touch display allows all sensors to be configured with different tolerances (ranging from 10 to 200 µm). Error messages are now displayed in clear text with additional explanations—available not only in German, English, French, and Italian but now also in Chinese and Spanish.

In AutoSet mode, the KCA 400T automatically reads the signals from the connected sensors. After the press is started, a comparison is made between the stored target values and the actual values determined during operation. If all actual values are within the set tolerance, a PNP output signal is sent to the subsequent tool monitoring system. If one or more sensors exceed the set tolerance, no output signal is generated, and the tool monitoring system stops the press.

Efficient, Secure, And Robust: Managed Switches With IP67 Protection

All Xelity managed switches meet protection class IP67 and feature robust, fully encapsulated plastic or metal housings. They are also shock- and vibration-resistant and suitable for temperatures ranging from -40 to 160 °F.(Image: Copyright: Denis Zdjelar) — All Xelity managed switches meet protection class IP67 and feature robust, fully encapsulated plastic or metal housings. They are also shock- and vibration-resistant and suitable for temperatures ranging from -40 to 160 °F.
(Image: Copyright: Denis Zdjelar)

With the latest generation of its Xelity Managed Switches, available with 5 or 10 ports and data transfer rates ranging from 100 Mbit to 2.5 Gbit, Murrelektronik offers an efficient, secure, and robust solution with a highly attractive price-performance ratio for fast and seamless data traffic in intralogistics. They support Profinet, Ethernet/IP, and Modbus TCP, enabling barrier-free communication with higher-level controllers.

The switches, developed and manufactured in Germany, are ideally suited for time-critical applications in production as they ensure smooth and latency-free communication between machines, sensors, and control systems. The focus on data relevant for real-time applications ensures maximum performance. Thanks to a plug-and-play principle with pre-assembled connection and linking cables based on internationally recognized standards, as well as simple and convenient configuration via the web server and preconfigured parameters, installation and commissioning can be completed in no time. Additionally, device replacement can be carried out quickly and without expert knowledge: all data necessary for resuming operations can be automatically uploaded to the new switch via the controller.

Robust Cable Pull Encoders With Up To 130 ft Measuring Length

Turck's DWE cable pull encoder family includes 148 devices with potentiometric, magnetic, or optical measuring principles.(Image: Hans Turck GmbH & Co. KG) — Turck's DWE cable pull encoder family includes 148 devices with potentiometric, magnetic, or optical measuring principles.
(Image: Hans Turck GmbH & Co. KG)

Turck expands its portfolio of linear position sensors with the new DWE draw-wire encoder family—a robust and reliable solution for industrial length measurements in applications where non-contact systems such as optical, ultrasonic, or radar sensors reach their limits. The DWE series offers measurement lengths from 10 in to 130 ft and is available with analog outputs (current/voltage) as well as digital interfaces like IO-Link, Profinet, or CANopen. Thanks to a teachable analog output, the full output range can be optimally scaled even when using partial ranges. Depending on the model, the housings meet protection classes IP65, IP67, or IP69K and are designed for ambient temperatures from 5 to 185 °F. The precise cable mechanism enables high accelerations with a high linearity of up to ±0.05%.

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.

optical measuring principles, ensuring optimal adaptability for every application. The potentiometric encoders achieve the highest protection class, IP69K, with suitable connection technology. The magnetic and optical encoders are configurable and available with digital interfaces such as IO-Link, CANopen, or Profinet.

Monitored Signal Lamps With Pl e And SIL3

Safety HMI with integrated SIL3/PL e signal lamp—in interaction with PLC & I/O system.(Image: ACD Drive Technology GmbH) — Safety HMI with integrated SIL3/PL e signal lamp—in interaction with PLC & I/O system.
(Image: ACD Drive Technology GmbH)

ACD Antriebstechnik GmbH presents the monitored signal light with integrated safety electronics. This new patented technology significantly enhances the safety of both humans and machines. ACD Antriebstechnik goes beyond traditional stationary solutions: the lights are directly integrated into mobile HMI devices—whether wireless or wired. This greatly improves the operator's visibility and responsiveness.

The signal lights are not only controlled in compliance with standards but are also actively monitored by specially developed safety electronics. Each light source is individually checked to ensure it is "safely lit" or "safely unlit." This enables complete error detection at the highest safety levels, PL e and SIL3. The transmission of safety information is securely carried out wirelessly or via cable to a central gateway. This architecture meets the requirements for safety-critical applications—certified according to PL e and SIL 3—and allows integration into comprehensive safety concepts for machines and systems.