5G Gateway for Data Collection in Harsh Environments
A leading system integrator in the welding industry needed a customized solution to monitor welding equipment in real time and reliably transmit data from workshops exposed to extreme voltage and harsh conditions.
Location
USA
Industry
Welding
Project Type
ODM
Devices Deployed
VT-M2M-IMX8MMN Edge Computing Gateway
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Background
The customer is a system integrator specializing in the welding industry, providing intelligent workshop solutions for the rail transit and equipment manufacturing sectors. They required a reliable solution with strong anti-interference capability, flexible connectivity, and compatibility with industrial protocols to support seamless integration with their existing systems.

Solution
To meet the customer's requirement for stable data acquisition and transmission in demanding welding environments, Vantron deployed the VT-M2M-IMX8MMN edge computing gateway, specifically engineered for high-interference industrial scenarios. Featuring a robust anti-interference architecture—such as 20 kV arcing protection and industrial-grade power management—the gateway maintains reliable operation even under severe voltage fluctuations and harsh environmental conditions. By enabling local data processing at the edge and supporting seamless cloud integration, the solution minimizes unplanned downtime, enhances operational safety, and improves overall efficiency in welding workshop operations.
1. Flexible Installation: It supports wall-mounted and DIN-rail configurations, allowing easy adaptation to diverse on-site layouts. Its IP40-rated enclosure effectively protects the internal mainboard from electrostatic discharge caused by accumulated metal dust and other production residues commonly found in welding facilities.
2. Industrial Reliability: Built entirely with industrial-grade components, the system is designed to operate reliably across a wide range of industrial conditions. An integrated industrial power management chip enables safe and efficient conversion from a 380 V industrial power source to the 12 V supply required by the mainboard, ensuring long-term electrical stability.
3. Arcing Protection at 20kV Voltage: To further enhance resistance to electrical disturbances, the gateway incorporates a reed relay positioned ahead of the voltage acquisition circuit, capable of withstanding voltage surges of up to 100,000 V. This design provides repeated protection against high-voltage shocks, significantly improving system durability in high-energy welding applications.
In addition, Vantron offers optional high-voltage and low-voltage analog input modules, allowing the system to accommodate a wide range of signal types and data collection requirements. This modular expandability ensures that the solution can be easily tailored to evolving monitoring needs without redesigning the core platform.

Benefits
By upgrading the system architecture from a traditional x86 platform to an ARM-based solution, Vantron enabled significantly lower power consumption while extending the overall product lifecycle. In parallel, customized hardware upgrade options were delivered to provide the flexibility required to support diverse industrial application scenarios. To further enhance system performance and connectivity, Vantron also integrated a 5G networking solution, ensuring high-speed, low-latency communication even in demanding industrial environments.

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