July 18, 2011 -- 32-bit microcontrollers from STMicroelectronics have been selected for the new generation of operator-friendly, touch-screen production-line control panels from Erhardt+Leimer, a leading producer of industrial-automation equipment. Powered by ST's high-performance STM32 microcontrollers, Erhardt+Leimer's control panels set new standards in ease-of-use, increasing the speed and efficiency of the manufacturing process, minimizing material waste and maximizing output quality.

The RT4008 control panel with a 320x240-mm LCD color touch screen, soft and hard keys, and self-explanatory graphics runs on ST's STM32 F-2 microcontroller. This microcontroller device combines superior processing power, high efficiency, and convenience of the industry-standard ARM Cortex-M3 processor with abundant peripheral sets and large program (Flash) and data (SRAM) memory.

Erhardt+Leimer's newest control panel primarily targets web-guiding systems, essential components of factory automation in paper, textile, and rubber manufacturing, as well as in conveyor and transporting systems. Web-guiding systems keep the processed material in a defined position and guarantee an exact input feed into the production process even at the highest processing speeds.

Extensive field tests of the ST-powered manufacturing control panels started at selected Erhardt+Leimer customers in China, Europe and the US in May 2011.

"ST's 32-bit microcontroller technology strikes the perfect balance between performance, dynamic power consumption and cost, and adds extended video/ imaging, audio and connectivity support," said Gunter Franz, Product Manager at Erhardt+Leimer. "Starting with the advanced touch-screen production-line control panel, we have decided to use STM32 microcontrollers as the core platform for all our new manufacturing-automation products."

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