A modular tightening system is controlled by a custom single-board computer through a combination of fieldbus standards. The unit is based on the PowerPC® MPC5200 and works under the real-time operating system VxWorks®. The interfaces provided on the CPU card comprise Ethernet, CAN bus and Arcnet. CAN bus and Arcnet are already provided from the MPC5200 processor. An additional I/O board features several UARTs, USB as well as (optionally) graphics depending on the version of the tightening system.

These industrial tightening systems are used for the assembly of manifold parts, for example in automated car production, in valves, in pumps or in generators. The challenge for the electronics lies in the precise and error-free handling of all units. It must be extremely reliable to prevent malfunction during the production process which would otherwise cause high downtime costs.