Idec Launches FT2J Series Combined 7-Inch HMI and Programmable Controller
Global automation components manufacturer Idec has expanded its SmartAXIS Touch hardware family with the introduction of the FT2J Series, a unified 7-inch touchscreen HMI and micro programmable logic controller engineered to minimize cabinet space, lower power consumption, and streamline field connectivity.
The development of small-scale industrial machinery requires control engineers to maximize cabinet efficiency while maintaining robust visualization options. Over the past two decades, operator interfaces have shifted from dim, monochrome button panels to high-density capacitive touch displays capable of handling advanced logical scripts. By integrating the human-machine interface and the central processing unit into a single physical chassis, the FT2J series eliminates the typical communication lag and wiring complexity that occurs between standalone controllers and separate display panels. This streamlined approach allows original equipment manufacturers to deliver highly compact skid systems and modular production units at a reduced total bill of materials.
The hardware face of the FT2J features a 7-inch multi-touch widescreen display with an 800x400 pixel resolution. Utilizing projected capacitive touch technology, the screen responds reliably to multi-touch gestures even when operators wear heavy industrial gloves. Built for severe operating environments, the front panel features IP66 and IP67 ratings, ensuring complete resilience against high-pressure water jets and heavy oil mist contamination. The system functions without a battery across an ambient temperature range of -20 to 55°C, uses a long-life 50,000-hour LED backlight, and consumes up to 40% less electrical energy than an equivalent discrete micro PLC and standalone HMI assembly.
To maintain real-time machine performance without sacrificing screen interactivity, the internal control layer relies on an optimized dual CPU architecture. One processor is dedicated exclusively to the sub-millisecond execution of logical ladders and I/O scan cycles, while the companion core processes graphics, text arrays, and network communication. The base controller features a high-density footprint of 14 inputs, four of which can be configured for analog instrumentation, paired with eight digital outputs available in transistor sinking, sourcing, or relay variants. For more specialized processes, the chassis contains two expansion slots that accept extra digital blocks, analog cards, or thermocouple and RTD temperature modules.
Modern machine design requires field hardware to act as an active endpoint for broader enterprise networks. The FT2J accomplishes this by hosting an internal web server, allowing off-site maintenance personnel to inspect active system registries, view diagnostic screens, and perform complete program updates over a standard local area network. Built-in email messaging protocols can be configured to broadcast automatic alarm alerts directly to service teams the moment a machine anomaly occurs. Furthermore, integrated FTP client and server functions provide secure data transfer pathways, allowing local production logs to be uploaded straight to enterprise storage arrays.
Physical expansion is rounded out by a comprehensive set of local interfaces, including two serial ports, an industrial Ethernet jack, and dual USB Type-A ports. These USB sockets allow machine builders to attach standard commercial peripherals directly to the controller. For example, barcode scanners or RFID readers can be integrated without requiring custom serial drivers. Alternatively, engineers can deploy a standard USB Wi-Fi adapter to establish wireless network backhaul across the production floor, making the internal web server available to the entire facility. This flexible connectivity makes the hardware an ideal edge node for collecting field telemetry and streaming filtered data directly to enterprise-level predictive analytics software platforms, ensuring comprehensive operational transparency.
Written by: Dominic Vance, a senior systems integrator with over fifteen years of experience optimizing compact machine form factors, designing unified HMI and PLC network architectures, and implementing wireless telemetry systems for high-volume packaging and processing plants.