Advantech reveals new AMAX IoT control platforms, offering dependable real-time performance and adaptability
Advantech Launches AMAX IoT Control Platform for Industrial IoT and Smart Manufacturing
Advantech, a leading industrial IoT (IIoT) solution provider, has unveiled its AMAX IoT Control Platform. This unified architecture simplifies vision-integrated manufacturing systems by addressing fragmented automation setups.
The AMAX platform leverages EtherCAT industrial Ethernet and real-time operating systems to achieve microsecond-level precision. This makes it ideal for precision automation, energy storage systems, and advanced machinery.
Precision Automation
For precision automation, the platform integrates PLCs, HMIs, and communication modules into a PC-based system. This setup is particularly beneficial for semiconductor manufacturing, high-speed assembly lines, and vision-integrated production systems that demand deterministic real-time performance and advanced motion control capabilities. Built on the CODESYS framework with IEC 61131-3 standards, it supports seamless migration from traditional PLC systems and sophisticated robotics applications.
Energy Storage Systems
In energy storage and infrastructure applications, AMAX provides scalable monitoring and control solutions. Its flexible IoT capabilities enable integration with protocols like MQTT, OPC UA, CANOpen, and Modbus for legacy system compatibility and comprehensive edge data acquisition. The platform supports real-time, deterministic control that is critical for managing complex energy storage functions, such as battery management and grid interfacing.
Advanced Machinery
The AMAX family offers a scalable controller portfolio, with three categories: Panel Controllers (AMAX-PT series), Industrial PC Controllers (AMAX-7 series), and Embedded Controllers (AMAX-5 series). The AMAX-PT series features Intel Core and Atom processors with versatile display options, ideal for HMI-centric control concepts in factory automation. The AMAX-7 series offers high expandability and extensive I/O for complex machinery processes and vision inspection.
Market Opportunities
AMAX's competitive advantage lies in its single-platform integration that reduces complexity and performance bottlenecks in fragmented industrial automation systems. It targets markets demanding high-precision control, such as semiconductors and robotics, complex manufacturing processes requiring real-time data and vision systems, and energy sectors needing scalable IoT monitoring and control. The platform's use of open standards and flexible runtime environments (Windows and Linux) broaden adoption potential across various industries transitioning to Industry 4.0 and intelligent manufacturing ecosystems.
The AMAX IoT Control Platform is now available, and more information can be found on the Advantech website or by contacting local Advantech sales. AMAX Studio, a fully integrated software environment, offers device configuration, program development, system tuning, and diagnostics, supporting AMAX controllers, I/O modules, and mainstream industrial fieldbus protocols. Advantech's in-house engineering team specializes in system tuning for optimal real-time performance across supported platforms for demanding automation applications.
The platform achieves 500 μs to 1ms cycle time with minimal jitter, delivering real-time performance through the integration of Intel Time Coordinated Computing (TCC) technology and Advantech's specialized BIOS engineering and automation control expertise. With its ability to address precision automation, energy storage systems, and advanced machinery applications, the AMAX IoT Control Platform is well-positioned to capture growing market demands in industrial IoT and smart manufacturing.
- In the context of precision automation, the AMAX IoT Control Platform seamlessly integrates finance-heavy industries such as semiconductor manufacturing by combining PLCs, HMIs, and communication modules into a PC-based system, all of which benefit from the platform's support for deterministic real-time performance and advanced motion control capabilities.
- For the energy sector, the scalable monitoring and control solutions offered by the AMAX IoT Control Platform leverage technology like MQTT, OPC UA, CANOpen, and Modbus, making it an ideal choice for managing complex energy storage functions that demand real-time, deterministic control, particularly in the areas of battery management and grid interfacing.
