Industrial computers have gotten really powerful and can perform many complex tasks, including AI-assisted machine vision or predictive maintenance reports. But no matter how powerful an embedded computer is, it is of no use if it cannot interface with the machines on the factory floor.

The sheer variety of machines in use means there are a lot of different interfaces and standards, and no industrial system releases with full support for all of them. Does this mean you need to get a bunch of different computers just to connect with the machinery in operation? No, what you need are the right expansion cards.

How Expansion Cards Work 

Computers release with a suite of features decided by the capabilities built into the motherboard. The I/O ports available, the interfaces it supports, and even things like network capability vary based on the hardware baked into the starting configuration. To add new capabilities to this configuration, Expansion cards were introduced.

Simply put, an expansion card is a module that fits into a dedicated slot on the PC to add a new hardware functionality. Including I/O options that were not present on the original motherboard.

There are two main standards that allow for extensibility: the M.2 and the PCIe. Most expansion cards use the M.2 or the mini-PCIe, depending on the size and capability.

Expansion Cards for Industrial Integration 

Usually, expansion cards are used for adding things like GPUs or extra storage. Industrial computers, however, have different needs, especially in terms of connectivity.

Serial ports, for example, are ubiquitous in any industrial setting, having been the de facto standard for older electronics. These large-scale setups are slow to upgrade, and any new control system you install needs to support these legacy connections.

Then there is the Controller Area Network (CAN), for managing distributed systems. The CAN FD is the standard means of coordinating industrial processes with a lot of moving parts, like robotic arms that need to act in perfect sync. The problem is that CAN is not a standard protocol that comes supported on most computers, making compatibility tricky.

And of course, there are always displays. Industrial control systems often need to connect with multiple displays to provide all the relevant data. While some embedded PCs come in-built with multi-display support, many don’t, forcing you to make do with one screen or get multiple PCs simply to drive all the displays of a control room. 

Global IPC Expansion Cards 

All the scenarios we discussed above are handled by dedicated Global American expansion cards. The Serial expansion cards, for example, offer RS232, RS422, and RS485 ports, covering all legacy serial connection options. This lets you integrate serial machinery into a modern control system without having to switch or upgrade your PC at all.

Similarly, our line of CAN FD expansion cards can enable this critical feature for any industrial computer with an M.2 slot. It comes in two variants, with two or four port options, dealing with small-scale or highly distributed applications.

Display expansion cards can be installed to transmit visuals to multiple screens through high-speed connectivity that minimizes latency. There is a variant specifically for Human Machine Interface (HMI) panels, making it ideal for adding embedded panels to a control system. You can also pick the variant that adds external monitors to implement a more traditional control room terminal setup. 

Can Any Industrial PC be Turned into a Control System? 

Any factory setup can get messy with the sheer variety of machines and their unique requirements. When you have old sensors with serial connections rubbing shoulders with the latest robotic arms operated through CAN FD, integrating all these controls into a single hub is a tall order.

You can always try to get a PC custom build with the exact I/O options you need, but this can be an expensive endeavour, especially if you have already invested in quality industrial computers that don’t need upgrades any time soon. The best option in these cases is to install the required expansion cards instead. 

With Global’s line of IPC expansion cards, it is possible to outfit any embedded computer with any industrial interfaces needed. This modernizes your setup and gives you effective control systems for any factory setting, without costing too much. Feel free to contact us to find out if this is the right solution for your needs and get a quote.