Come scegliere una scheda madre industriale per l'automazione

Step 1: Choose the Form Factor

• ATX (305×244mm), full-size; maximum expansion slots; for demanding SCADA servers and vision systems
• Micro-ATX (244×244mm), mid-size; good balance of expansion and space
• Mini-ITX (170×170mm), compact; ideal for Panel PCs and embedded Box PCs
• Thin Mini-ITX, ultra-slim profile; designed for Panel PC integration
• 3.5" SBC, very compact; for IoT gateways and space-constrained installations

Step 2: Processor Generation and TDP

For fanless systems, stay within the chassis TDP rating. Intel Core Ultra and Core i5/i7 12th, 14th Gen offer excellent performance-per-watt for industrial applications. Avoid end-of-life processors (7th Gen and older) for new designs, spare parts and driver support become difficult.

Step 3: Required I/O

List your physical I/O requirements before selecting a board:

• Number of COM ports (RS-232/422/485) needed for PLCs and serial devices
• Dual LAN for OT/IT network separation
• Display outputs (HDMI, DP, LVDS, eDP) for your screen configuration
• USB ports for operator peripherals and USB keys
• GPIO for digital I/O to field devices

Step 4: Long-Term Availability

This is the most critical factor for industrial applications. Consumer motherboards are discontinued in 12 a 18 months. Industrial motherboards from Avalue carry 5 a 7 year availability commitments, with extended support agreements available. Always confirm the product lifecycle before committing to a design.

Step 5: Operating Temperature

Standard: 0°C, 60°C. Extended: −20°C, 70°C. Wide: −40°C, 85°C. Match the board's rated temperature to your installation environment, including worst-case seasonal temperatures for your facility.