Maximising Industrial Machine Uptime through Intelligent Edge Computing
Background
In modern manufacturing facilities, machine tools and sheet metal processing equipment are expected to operate continuously whilst maintaining high precision and production efficiency. However, internal control systems often experience thermal build-up during prolonged operation, causing CPU frequency throttling, unexpected performance degradation, and increased equipment downtime. These issues not only reduce production throughput but also lead to higher maintenance costs, longer recovery times, and decreased overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
A leading Japanese industrial machinery manufacturer sought a reliable edge computing platform capable of improving system stability whilst consolidating multiple industrial devices into a single IPC platform.
Challenges
The customer required a compact IPC capable of integrating multiple machine subsystems, including:
- Touch Panel HMI
- Industrial Cameras
- PLC Controllers
- Multiple HMI Displays
The platform also needed to:
- Prevent CPU throttling during prolonged operation
- Support continuous 24/7 production
- Fit inside compact machine cabinets
- Reduce maintenance and unexpected downtime
- Deliver reliable performance under harsh industrial conditions
- Provide sufficient connectivity for future system expansion
Solution
ARBOR deployed the ARES-1990-LAN Industrial Edge Computer, a 1U ultra-slim fanless platform powered by the Intel® Core™ 5 Processor 120U, combining industrial reliability with high-performance edge computing. Its compact form factor allows seamless installation inside confined control cabinets without sacrificing computing capability.
Intelligent Thermal Optimisation
Whilst the ARES-1990 features a fanless industrial design, the customer's application required additional cooling for prolonged heavy workloads. ARBOR implemented an external cooling fan together with customised BIOS thermal tuning to optimise fan control and system temperature.
This customised solution effectively minimises CPU throttling, ensuring stable computing performance during continuous production whilst extending overall system reliability.
High-Speed Industrial Connectivity
The ARES-1990-LAN offers extensive industrial I/O, enabling multiple production devices to be consolidated into a single IPC. These features ensure reliable operation even in demanding manufacturing environments.
Typical deployment includes:
- 9 USB ports connecting Touch Panel HMIs and peripheral devices
- 4 x 2.5GbE LAN ports connecting PLC controllers and industrial networks
- Up to four simultaneous display outputs for multi-screen HMI visualisation
- Dual M.2 expansion slots supporting high-speed NVMe storage, wireless communication, or future AI acceleration modules
Designed for Industrial Reliability
Purpose-built for industrial automation, the ARES-1990-LAN provides:
- Wide 9–36V DC power input for industrial equipment
- 24/7 continuous operation
- MIL-STD-810H vibration and shock resistance
- Operating temperatures from -20°C to 60°C
- Compact 1U ultra-slim chassis for space-constrained machine cabinets
Benefits
Uncompromised 24/7 Productivity
Built to prevent thermal throttling, ensuring uninterrupted machine uptime, maximum production efficiency, and significantly lower maintenance costs.
High-Density Workload Consolidation
Streamline control architectures with rich I/O and versatile M.2 expansion, allowing a single compact IPC to effortlessly handle edge AI and multi-device communication.
Tailored Reliability and Expert Support
Achieve long-term reliability through ARBOR's dedicated engineering and global technical support.
Featured Product
ARES-1990-LAN
1U Height Ultra Slim Fanless Box PC w/ Intel® 14th Gen Raptor Lake U Series Processors
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