Key Takeaways
- Getac AI Ready (ZX10, ZX80, S510, V120, B360) and Copilot+ devices (UX10, F120, S510 AD, B360 Plus, G140) give factory teams fast, reliable access to real-time production data, machine control, and quality systems without downtime.
- Getac Assist empowers factory teams with real-time remote guidance and live video collaboration, allowing remote experts to resolve complex issues instantly, which reduces travel costs and minimizes downtime
- Rugged tablets and laptops integrate with MES, SCADA, ERP, and WMS over Wi-Fi 6/6E and 4G/5G, enabling always-on factory automation and smart manufacturing workflows.
- MIL-STD-810H and IP-rated designs keep devices running on the line, in vehicles, and in harsh zones where consumer hardware fails, improving productivity and safety.
- Predictive maintenance, quality inspection, and traceability improve when frontline data is captured at the edge on Getac devices and synced securely to factory automation systems.
What is a factory automation solution?
Factory automation (often called industrial automation) applies control systems and software to monitor and control production equipment with minimal human intervention. It connects machines, sensors, and systems to improve throughput, quality, safety, and energy efficiency.
- Core goals: higher productivity, consistent quality, fewer errors, safer operations, and data to drive continuous improvement.
- Where Getac fits: rugged edge computing for operators, technicians, quality teams, drivers, and supervisors who need reliable access to automation software and real-time production data on the shop floor.
How does factory automation work?
Automation links equipment and information systems into a cohesive, data-driven operation:
- Field Layer: machines, sensors, robotics, barcode and RFID, thermal cameras.
- Control Layer: PLCs, motion controllers, safety systems.
- Supervisory Layer: SCADA, HMI, historian.
- Execution Layer: MES, WMS, quality, maintenance.
- Enterprise Layer: ERP, analytics, AI, and digital twins.
Getac devices act as secure, mobile interfaces across these layers for monitoring, troubleshooting, inspections, materials handling, quality checks, and maintenance.
Which Getac tablets and laptops are recommended for factory automation?
Tablets
Copilot+PC
F120
Fully rugged tablet for mobile HMI, inspections, and edge AI review.
Copilot+PC
UX10
Lightweight, glove-capable tablet for QC, maintenance, and line-side work. EX option available as UX10-EX for hazardous zones.
Copilot+PC
G140
A new, 14-inch fully rugged tablet specifically designed for the manufacturing sector, including factory automation and plant monitoring. It offers AI-powered performance via AMD Ryzen™ AI processors for real-time data processing and a sunlight-readable 1,000 nit LumiBond display.
AI Ready
ZX10
Android tablet that streamlines frontline workflows like asset tracking and digital work instructions.
AI Ready
ZX80
Android options for scanning, guides, and quick data capture in fast-moving workflows.
Laptops
AI Ready
S510
Rugged laptop for supervisors and engineers balancing mobility and power.
Copilot+PC
S510AD
AI-forward 15.6-inch laptop for heavy analytics and engineering apps.
AI Ready
V120
Fully rugged AI laptop for field service, robotics tuning, and vision analysis near the line.
AI Ready
B360
Fully rugged laptop certified for extreme conditions, ideal for forklifts and mobile workstation.
Copilot + PC
B360 Plus
Fully rugged clamshells for vehicle-mounted operations and harsh environments.
How does Getac Assist empower remote expertise in factory automation?
To further ensure operational continuity, Getac Assist provides a fully rugged remote expert solution designed to assist technicians with knowledge transfer and remote guidance.
Real-Time Troubleshooting
Users can livestream high-definition video from the worksite to experts in multiple locations, enabling faster problem-solving and higher first-time fix rates.
Collaborative Tools
Experts can use Live and Snap Annotation to highlight specific points on the screen, share documents, or share their own screens to guide field workers through complex repairs.
Rugged and Versatile
The Getac Assist camera is IP67 and MIL-STD-810H certified, operating in temperatures from -20°C to 50°C. It can be body-worn or mounted to keep workers' hands free and maintain situational awareness.
How do Getac solutions improve quality and traceability on the shop floor?
Getac devices accelerate defect detection through machine vision-guided inspection and automated visual recognition. Using onboard cameras or optional barcode and RFID readers, parts are scanned at every station to create a digital audit trail. These records flow instantly into the MES or SFCS, preventing misassembly or missing components before they escape the line.
How do these devices integrate with MES, SCADA, ERP, and WMS systems?
Integration is achieved through native support for Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7, and mobile broadband.
- Data Capture: The KeyWedge utility turns device cameras into barcode scanners for quick integration with existing forms.
- Real-Time Sync: Devices maintain stable communications via Virtual GPS and RF pass-through on vehicle docks, ensuring ERP and WMS systems are updated instantly as goods are received or dispatched.
- Legacy Support: Compatibility with serial ports and Thunderbolt 4 allows Getac devices to connect to both modern and legacy industrial equipment.
How are Getac devices secured and managed at scale?
To protect industrial deployments across hundreds of endpoints, Getac provides a centralized security and management suite:
Getac Monitoring
Provides insight into the health and performance of the fleet to spot issues before they impact a shift.
Getac Management
Handles enrollment, policy enforcement, and software lifecycles.
Android Specialized Tools
OEMConfig offers deeper management for ZX10 and ZX80 Android devices.
Hardware Security
Devices include TPM 2.0 and multi-factor authentication, such as Windows Hello, fingerprint, and smart card readers.
What are the benefits of factory automation?
- Higher throughput and OEE with consistent cycle times and fewer stoppages.
- Better quality and yield via machine vision, SPC, and traceability.
- Lower unplanned downtime through predictive maintenance and faster repair guidance.
- Safer operations with driver distraction mitigation and rugged vehicle mounts.
- Lower energy use through monitoring and setpoint optimization.
Which components define a modern factory automation system?
Industrial Control Systems
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA):
They coordinate machine states, collect time-series data, and expose controls via HMI/SCADA. Getac tablets and laptops provide mobile HMI access, historian review, and remote troubleshooting near the machine.
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
Sensors stream condition and process data for analytics and alarms. Getac devices capture edge data, scan parts, and sync instantly over Wi-Fi/5G for real-time visibility.
Motion Control Systems
Servo and stepper control ensure speed, torque, and position accuracy. Technicians use Getac devices to commission, tune, and validate motion with vendor tools at the line.
Machine Vision Systems
They detect defects, mis-assembly, and labeling issues at line speed. Operators use Getac devices to review images, adjust recipes, and clear faults.
Industrial Robotics
Articulated Robots, Cartesian Robots, Collaborative Robots (Cobots)
Robots automate handling, assembly, welding, packaging, and inspection. Getac devices support robot teach, diagnostics, and maintenance on the floor.
AI and Machine Learning
Predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, quality prediction, energy optimization, and intelligent assistance for operators. AI-capable Getac devices support local inferencing and rich visualization close to the process.
How do factory automation systems improve productivity, quality, and uptime?
- Productivity: Mobile HMI and paperless workflows on Getac devices reduce walk time and errors, accelerating changeovers and approvals.
- Quality and Traceability: Barcode/NFC scanning and digital checklists create instant, accurate records that feed SPC and AI quality tools.
- Downtime Reduction: Near-machine diagnostics and predictive alerts on Getac devices speed root cause analysis and repairs. Thermal imaging accessories and sensors help spot issues before they stop lines.
How does factory automation improve worker safety?
- Distraction Mitigation in Vehicles: Screen blanking on movement via Driving Safety Utility helps prevent incidents.
- Safer Mounting: Certified docks for material handling vehicles keep devices secure.
- Faster Hazard Detection: Thermal imaging and digital inspections on rugged tablets identify overheating and faults earlier.
What future trends are shaping factory automation solutions?
- Edge AI and Copilot-class systems for faster, local decision support.
- Digital twins for scenario-testing layouts, throughput, and energy before implementation.
- Safer, smarter robotics and cobots with intuitive human-machine collaboration.
- 5G enabled IIoT for lower latency, higher reliability on the floor.
- Standardized data models that make AI quality and predictive maintenance more accurate and scalable.
FAQs
What is the difference between factory automation and smart manufacturing?
Factory automation focuses on mechanizing and controlling processes. Smart manufacturing extends this by using connected data, analytics, and AI for predictive insights and closed-loop optimization.
What is predictive maintenance in manufacturing?
Predictive maintenance analyzes sensor data (vibration, thermal, acoustics) and process trends to forecast failures before they occur. Getac devices deliver fast access to condition data, guided inspections, and thermal imagery to cut unplanned downtime by identifying failures weeks in advance.
What are the emerging technologies in factory automation?
Next-generation systems will feature Digital Twins for faster commissioning, AR guidance for complex maintenance tasks, and wider 5G coverage for ultra-reliable, low-latency links.
Which devices are recommended for rugged tablets in manufacturing?
The G140, UX10, and F120 for Windows, or the ZX10 and ZX80 for Android, are recommended for their high-brightness displays (up to 1,000 nits) and hot-swap power options that ensure uninterrupted productivity. The G140 is a particularly critical addition for this sector, providing a larger 14-inch screen and AI-enabled capabilities to support complex factory automation tasks.
Conclusion
Factory automation connects machines, sensors, and systems to boost throughput, quality, and safety. The fastest path to impact is putting reliable, AI-capable tools in the hands of the people who run the floor. Getac’s AI Ready and Copilot+ rugged devices deliver the durability, connectivity, performance, and integration needed to capture real-time production data, run mobile HMI and MES tasks, enforce safety, and enable predictive maintenance at the edge.
Additional Resources
