Embedded designs – made in Europe - Advantages through proximity

09/25/2024 Know-How

Events such as the war in Ukraine, extreme weather conditions, and COVID-19 have shown how fragile global supply chains can be – and increasingly are. This makes systems and components from Europe all the more important.

Companies utilizing European components in their embedded designs often enjoy greater resilience compared to those dependent on suppliers from the USA or the Far East. This is not only due to shorter transport routes, reliable political systems, and the often-preferred supply of customers on the same continent. Proximity and thus usually better communication between component or system providers, distributors, EMS, and companies also often make the decisive difference. Especially in times of higher volatility, it is indispensable to coordinate requirements, capacities, and delivery capabilities in the best possible way. With boards, numerous modules and systems, processors, flash memories and DRAM modules, as well as accessories, Rutronik has everything needed to create embedded designs. For the majority of components – with the exception of only the CPU – the linecard also includes an established supplier based and with production facilities in Europe. Reason enough to introduce them here. 

Motherboards from Kontron 

Kontron develops and produces a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality, durable, and competitive motherboards in Germany. They support the latest processors and platform chipsets and are available in Mini-STX, Mini-ITX, µATX, and ATX form factors. With their design for 24/7 continuous operation, a wide temperature range of 0 °C to 60 °C, and availability of up to seven years after market launch, they are suitable for a broad range of even demanding applications, from industrial automation, POS/POI and kiosk applications, digital signage, and casino gaming to medicine, video surveillance, and transportation. Rutronik, together with its franchise partner Kontron, also supports its customers with accessories such as package kits or add-on cards, as well as valuable services like detailed documentation, professional life-cycle management, and customization tools.

Computer-on-modules and SBCs from Seco

Seco combines all the processes and services required for the production of boards and electronic systems for various application areas at locations in Italy and Germany. Production at its roughly 9,000 m2 headquarters in Arezzo (Italy) is focused on both energy efficiency and innovation. In Hamburg, production, development, administration, sales, and marketing are located at the company’s approx. 8,000 m2 plant. At its third large location in Wuppertal, close proximity between development and production enables rapid and straightforward implementation of prototypes, pre-series products, and small series. Seco's production installations are equipped with machines for SMT and THT PCB assembly as well as stations for washing, conformal coating, depaneling, and BGA rework. Critical processes in the production of electronic components can thus be comprehensively monitored by the supplier, who can respond quickly and effectively in the event of problems.

Modules and SBCs from F&S Elektronik Systeme

Founded as an engineering company in 1990, F&S Elektronik Systeme started producing its own modules in 1998. To date, every single module is produced in Stuttgart-Vaihingen on cutting-edge manufacturing equipment, functionally tested, and subjected to strict quality and compliance testing (ISO 9001, ISO 13485). In addition, the systems are characterized by scalable processing power and long-term availability of up to 15 years. Over 20 hardware and software developers provide fast and qualified support. 

IT assembly in Germany by Extra Computer

With its own brands exone, Calmo, and Pokini, Extra Computer covers the entire field of computer systems: embedded box PCs, panel PCs, 19” industrial servers, boxed IPCs, and notebooks. At its main location in Giengen-Sachsenhausen, IT hardware is assembled by hand and on state-of-the-art production lines. The certified quality (DIN EN ISO 9001) of the production and sales processes as well as comprehensive quality controls for each individual system guarantee a consistent design and the outstanding value of all the systems. 

Storage and security components from Swissbit

The supplier of storage, security, and embedded IoT components, headquartered in Switzerland, manufactures up to three million items per month at its production facility in Berlin, which the company put into operation at the end of 2019. Roughly 2,600 m2 of space is available here for chip-on-board (COB) and surface-mount device (SMD) production. 

Swissbit’s industrial memory and security products are characterized by long-term availability and high reliability. They are thus also suitable for demanding applications in the industry, NetCom, automotive, medicine, fiscal, and IoT sectors. Customers also receive appropriately optimized products for specific requirements. 

Memories from Goodram Industrial

Goodram Industrial is a brand of the Polish supplier Wilk Elektronik. It offers memory cards, USB flash drives, SSDs, and memory modules for use in industrial applications that often operate in extremely harsh conditions. In-house development, a production line in Poland, which was put into operation in 2003, 30 years of market and production experience, and advanced quality control procedures (ISO 9001 quality management system certification for the production and sales of DRAM modules and flash memories) ensure innovative and high-quality products that Wilk also adapts to specific customer requirements.

Among other services, technical support includes the long-term availability of components, functional and environmental diagnostics, and individual training and consulting.

Other suppliers for accessory products

Rutronik also collaborates with other European-based suppliers who specialize in accessory products. This means that embedded designs can also be implemented with cooling technology (EKL, HSM Zamecki), packages (Emko), and power supplies (Recom) “Made in Europe”.

Supply and support by Rutronik

Rutronik maintains good working relationships with all suppliers, which have grown over many years through personal contacts and joint technical support. In addition to ensuring on-demand supplies, Rutronik’s technical experts in the Embedded & Wireless segment enhance the supplier service by conducting their own validated memory tests (MemTest86) for various motherboard-memory combinations. This means that customers can rely on their functionality. There are so many good reasons to choose “Made in Europe”. 


 

For more information and a direct ordering option, please visit our e-commerce platform at www.rutronik24.com.

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Embedded designs – made in Europe - Advantages through proximity

State-of-the-art production by Swissbit in Berlin

Wilk Elektronik manufactures the Goodram Industrial brand DRAM modules in southern Poland.