Lauer VPC VK212b.II.LAU Control Panel
The Lauer VPC VK212b.II.LAU is a rugged operator panel belonging to the VPC (Versatile Panel Computer) series. It features a 12.1-inch TFT display with high brightness, housed in a durable metal enclosure that withstands harsh industrial environments. This panel is specifically designed for heavy machinery, mining equipment, oil and gas installations, and outdoor applications where reliability under extreme conditions is paramount. Its robust construction, combined with advanced connectivity and processing power, makes it a top choice for mission-critical control systems.
Technical Specifications
Display: 12.1-inch TFT, 1024 x 768 pixels (XGA), LED backlight, 500 cd/m² (sunlight-readable option up to 800 cd/m²), 800:1 contrast, anti-reflective glass.
Touchscreen: Projected capacitive, multi-touch (up to 4 points), glove-friendly, with 1.1 mm toughened glass, 7H hardness.
Processor: Intel Atom E3827, 1.75 GHz dual-core, 4 GB DDR3L RAM, 32 GB industrial SSD (optional 64 GB).
Interfaces: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet, 4 x RS232/422/485 (software selectable), 6 x USB 2.0 (4 external, 2 internal), 2 x CAN 2.0B, 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI, 1 x audio line-out, 1 x microSD slot.
Expansion: 1 x full-size mini-PCIe slot for fieldbus cards (Profibus, EtherCAT, Powerlink).
Power Supply: 24 V DC (18–36 V DC), consumption 35 W, with transient suppression and reverse polarity protection.
Operating Temperature: -20 °C to +60 °C (standard), -40 °C to +70 °C (extended option).
Storage Temperature: -30 °C to +80 °C.
Humidity: 5 % to 95 % non-condensing.
Protection: Front IP66 (dust-tight and water-resistant), rear IP20.
Mounting: Panel mount with clamps or VESA 75/100 mm compatible.
Cutout: 310 x 230 mm, depth 75 mm.
Weight: 4.8 kg.
Real-time clock with supercapacitor (no battery replacement needed).
Internal speaker and buzzer.
Functional Features
The VK212b.II.LAU runs a full Windows Embedded Standard 8 or Linux operating system, enabling it to host complex SCADA applications, databases, and custom software. It supports OPC UA client/server, MQTT, and RESTful APIs for Industry 4.0 and IIoT integration. The unit includes a built-in web server with HTTPS support, allowing remote access and diagnostics through any standard browser. The multi-touch capacitive screen enables intuitive gestures like pinch-to-zoom and swipe, enhancing operator efficiency.
The panel's internal SSD provides fast boot times and high data transfer rates. It includes a hardware watchdog timer, temperature sensor, and voltage monitoring for system health. The mini-PCIe slot allows installation of additional fieldbus or wireless modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE). The CAN interfaces support CANopen and J1939 protocols, suitable for mobile machinery and vehicle applications.
Configuration and programming can be done with any standard development environment (Visual Studio, Codesys, or Lauer's own Configurator). The panel also supports remote desktop and VNC for central management.
Installation Guidelines
Install the panel in a panel cutout or on a VESA mount. Use the supplied sealing gasket for front IP66 protection. Ensure the enclosure provides adequate support for the panel's weight. Connect the 24 V DC power supply using a 2.5 mm² wire; the ground terminal must be connected to the main earth bus. All communication cables should be shielded and routed separately from power lines. For the Ethernet ports, use CAT6 cables for Gigabit speeds. The USB ports support external storage, keyboard, and mouse.
For the mini-PCIe module, ensure the system is powered off before installation. The microSD slot can be used for additional storage or data logging. Allow at least 70 mm clearance behind the panel for cabling and airflow.
Operating Conditions
This panel is built for extreme environments: operating temperature from -20 to 60 °C (or -40 to 70 °C for extended version), humidity up to 95 %, and vibration up to 2 g (10–150 Hz) and shock of 30 g (11 ms) per IEC 60068-2-6 and -27. The high-brightness display ensures visibility in direct sunlight. The SSD has no moving parts, enhancing shock and vibration resistance.
The LED backlight has a rated life of 70,000 hours. The unit includes fanless cooling with passive heatsink, ensuring silent operation and high reliability.
Applications
This panel is ideal for heavy machinery control (excavators, cranes), mining and drilling rigs, oil and gas automation, marine navigation, agricultural equipment, and outdoor kiosks. It is also used in power plants, water treatment, and large-scale material handling systems.
Compliance and Certifications
CE, UL (UL 61010-1), cUL, and ATEX certified for Zone 2/22 (with optional enclosure). Meets FCC Part 15 Class B, EN 55032, and EN 55024. RoHS and REACH compliant. Also complies with IEC 60945 for marine applications.
Ordering Information
Available with various processor options (Intel Celeron, Core i3/i5), memory sizes (up to 16 GB RAM), and storage capacities. Touchscreen can be ordered as resistive or capacitive, with or without anti-glare. Custom logo and pre-installed software are available.
