What Industrial Automation Using IoT Means
Industrial automation using IoT connects machines, sensors, controllers and software over a network. Sensors collect data from equipment such as motors, conveyors and temperature points. An industrial PC at the edge processes that data, runs control logic, and sends results to a local dashboard or a cloud platform. The result is faster response to faults, lower downtime, and records for process analysis.
Key Hardware Requirements
An IoT automation node needs a processor with enough cores to run data acquisition, control software and a communication stack at the same time. It needs memory for buffering sensor data, and storage for logs and operating system files. Industrial sites also need wide operating temperature, stable power input, and multiple LAN ports for separate machine and plant networks. Fanless or low-noise designs reduce dust and heat problems on factory floors.
Comparison of Thinvent Options for Automation
| Product | Processor | Cores | Memory | Storage | Networking | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial PC IPC5 (i5-1240P) | Intel Core i5-1240P | 12 | 16 GB DDR4 | 512 GB SSD | No WiFi | Edge control with high core count |
| Industrial PC IPC5 (i7-1255U, Windows) | Intel Core i7-1255U | 10 | 16 GB DDR4 | 512 GB SSD | Dual LAN, Dual Band WiFi | Plant networks needing two LAN ports and wireless |
| Industrial PC IPC5 (i7-1255U, Ubuntu) | Intel Core i7-1255U | 10 | 64 GB DDR4 | 1 TB SSD | Dual LAN, Dual Band WiFi | Data-heavy analytics and multi-service edge nodes |
| Industrial PC IPC3 | Intel Core i3-1215U | 6 | 8 GB DDR4 | 256 GB SSD | No WiFi, Ubuntu Linux | Entry-level data collection and monitoring |
| 15" Industrial Panel PC | Intel Core i5-1335U | 10 | 16 GB DDR4 | 512 GB SSD | Dual Band WiFi | Operator interface with local control |
| Micro 5R Thin Client | ARM Cortex A53 | 4 | 2 GB | 16 GB eMMC | WiFi 6, Bluetooth | Display and remote-access endpoint |
Use Cases
Typical deployments include machine monitoring and predictive maintenance, production line control, energy metering, quality inspection data capture, and operator panels. Industrial PCs run control software locally, so production continues if the cloud link drops. Thin clients and panel PCs give operators access to the same data without a full workstation.
Thinvent Products for IoT Industrial Automation
Thinvent has industrial PCs, a 15-inch industrial panel PC, mini PCs and a thin client for IoT automation projects. The Industrial PC IPC5 is available with Intel Core i5-1240P or i7-1255U processors, with 16 GB or 64 GB memory, and with Windows 11 IoT Value, Windows 11 Pro or Ubuntu Linux. The Industrial PC IPC3 has an Intel Core i3-1215U with Ubuntu Linux for entry-level nodes. The Thinvent range does not include processors from the Intel Core 9 or Core Ultra series; the highest-core option in the range is the 12-core Intel Core i5-1240P.
