A Look at Edge Computing in Building Automation and Steel Production with OnLogic

In the second session of his presentation at Edge Field Day 3, Ross Hamilton, Systems Architect at OnLogic, delves into two specific edge computing use cases: steel production and building automation. He begins by discussing the harsh environment of a steel mill, where extreme temperatures, dust, and debris pose significant challenges for technology. OnLogic’s ruggedized hardware, such as the Tacton TC 401 Panel PC, is designed to withstand these conditions. The panel PC offers a user-friendly touch interface that allows workers to manage complex machinery efficiently, reducing downtime and improving reliability. Its rugged construction, fanless design, and wide operating temperature range make it ideal for the punishing environment of a steel mill, where it can be mounted in industrial control panels or used in outdoor settings with UV-resistant displays.

Hamilton then shifts focus to the second use case: building automation in smart buildings, using a real-world example from New York City. He recalls the 2003 blackout and how edge computing could have mitigated some of the issues, such as people being trapped in elevators. OnLogic’s Helix platform is highlighted as a solution for gathering and analyzing data in smart buildings. The Helix platform is designed to operate in rugged environments like mechanical spaces in buildings, offering features such as solid-state construction, extended temperature ranges, and resistance to dust and particulates. It can gather data from various building systems and relay it to a central dashboard, enabling proactive decision-making to prevent issues like power failures.

Throughout the presentation, Hamilton emphasizes the importance of flexibility and resilience in edge computing hardware. OnLogic’s products are designed to meet the unique challenges of different environments, from the extreme conditions of a steel mill to the more controlled but still demanding settings of smart buildings. The company offers modular solutions that can be customized to fit specific needs, whether it’s legacy protocol support in industrial settings or ruggedized power protection for environments with unstable power sources. By providing robust, adaptable hardware, OnLogic aims to help businesses optimize efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve safety across a variety of edge computing applications.