Maxim develops new platform for Industry 4.0
Maxim Integrated has launched its Pocket IO programmable logic controller (PLC) development platform. The platform aims to offer the smallest form factor with the highest power efficiency for next generation PLC platforms and Industry 4.0. The platform utilises adaptive manufacturing and distributed control for maximising productivity and providing real-time intelligence. In comparison to the Micro PLC Platform launched two years prior, the Pocket IO has a decreased form factor of 2.5x and 30% reduced power consumption. The MAXREFDES150 Pocket IO PLC retails at $499, and includes 30 IOs.

The platform aims to deliver the smallest form factor and highest power efficiency for next-generation PLC designs.

See Maxim’s Industry 4.0 solutions at Electronica





Lost productivity is a common concern for Industry 4.0 designers challenged with keeping a manufacturing line running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.





Without intelligent data available at their fingertips, factory operators do not have the insight to make informed, real-time decisions which can significantly improve uptime, revenue, and gross margins.

In addition to capturing real-time data, PLCs require fan-less operation due to harsh industrial environments. As a result, efficient power solutions are required to minimize heat dissipation.

Pocket IO PLC is aimed at enabling Industry 4.0 applications. To maximize productivity, it provides real-time intelligence to quickly and effectively make decisions, adaptive manufacturing to avoid potential downtime, and distributed control to provide redundancy.

The move to re-shoring – the return of off-shored plants to the advanced economies is being enabled by Industry 4.0, says Maxim’s industrial IC vp Sui Shieh.

Industry 4.0 is all about intelligent sensors and distributed control, says Shieh.

“It helps the trend for factories moving back to Western countries to be closer to customers, to shrink the supply chain and to improve quality,” says Shieh

Pocket IO provides the following advantages to increase productivity:

Real-time intelligence: Fast data processing provides the necessary data to make intelligent decisions quickly and effectively to optimize yield.

Adaptive manufacturing: Manufacturing flexibility allows for real-time changes and adjustments to avoid potential downtime.

Distributed control: Ultra-small footprint of less than 10 cubic inches and smart energy consumption brings PLC down to the manufacturing line, re-distributing intelligent control and providing redundancy.

When compared to the Micro PLC Platform from two years ago, the Pocket IO decreases form factor by an additional 2.5x and reduces power consumption by another 30%. Utilising patent-pending, fast, and safe demagnetization clamps integrated within the MAX14913 octal high-side switch and driver, it achieves 15x space savings by eliminating 16 diodes from its previous solution.

The MAX17681 iso-buck DC-DC converter provides greater than 90% power efficiency when compared to its predecessor—a reduction of power dissipation of over 30%.

The MAX31913 octal, digital input translator/serializer can be powered off of any available 5V supply while still accepting input signals up to 36V, eliminating all protection components needed on the 24V supply pin and thus reducing total footprint by 50%.

The MAXREFDES150 Pocket IO PLC reference design is $499, which includes the attach board, IO-link protocol stack, cables, and power supply. The schematics, layout files, and firmware are free and available for immediate use.

The Pocket IO consists of 30 IOs, including analog input, analog output, digital input, digital output, IO-link, and motion control featuring robust functionality and diagnostic capabilities.

See the Pocket IO PLC development platform and other Industry 4.0 solutions in Hall A4 with Maxim on stand 279.