The Pannier AC500 is a standalone touchscreen controller for industrial dot peen and vibropeen marking systems. Unlike PC-dependent solutions, it runs a crash-proof Linux operating system on embedded hardware — all programming, font management, and marking execution happen on the controller itself. A 7-inch color touchscreen provides the operator interface, supporting over 40 languages. The AC500 is compatible with the full range of Automator ADP marking heads, from compact 25×60 mm units to large 300×400 mm gantry systems, as well as third-party marking heads.

How does the AC500 handle variable data marking without a PC?

The controller stores fonts, logos (BMP, DXF), and marking layouts in 64 MB of internal flash. Variable data — serial numbers, date codes, shift codes — is generated automatically using built-in counters and a real-time clock. Lookup tables and spreadsheets can be uploaded via USB or Ethernet for batch-specific data. A barcode scanner connected to the USB port can trigger the next marking sequence and populate a data field in a single scan. For fully automated lines, the 12 discrete inputs and 6 outputs allow a PLC to trigger marking cycles and receive pass/fail or cycle-complete signals without any software integration.

How does EtherNet/IP integration work on the AC500?

An optional dedicated EtherNet/IP port makes the AC500 appear as a standard I/O device on the plant network — the PLC reads and writes marking data as if it were communicating with a remote I/O rack. This eliminates the need for serial or USB cabling between the control cabinet and the marking station. The controller also supports standard TCP/IP Ethernet for program upload, VNC remote access for diagnostics, and RS-232/485 for legacy PLCs. This layered connectivity means the same AC500 model can serve on a standalone manual workstation or as part of a fully automated production line.