VMIC VMIVME-3801 – VMEbus Digital I/O Board for Reliable Industrial Control

The VMIC VMIVME-3801 is a proven VMEbus I/O board designed for industrial automation, test stands, and legacy system expansions. From my experience, it behaves like a dependable digital interface card you install when you need clean, predictable I/O on a 6U VME backplane—typically with isolation and interrupt support to keep noisy plants in check. You might notice that it fits well in mixed environments where PLCs, motion controllers, and data acquisition share one chassis.

Typical use cases include replacing end-of-life VME I/O, expanding discrete I/O for machine upgrades, or bridging sensors/actuators through transition modules to field wiring. In many cases, engineers choose it to standardize on a single VME slot solution rather than scattering small converters around a cabinet.

Order Placement Process and Guarantees

• Warranty: 365 days replacement/repair coverage
• Lead time: 1 week if in stock; no more than 1 month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment; full payment before delivery
• Express options: FedEx, UPS, DHL

Key Features

• VMEbus 6U form factor – Fits standard 19-inch VME enclosures; easy drop-in replacement for legacy slots.
• Digital I/O interface – Typically used for discrete signals to field devices, with models often supporting isolation for plant-floor reliability.
• Interrupt and strobe options – In many cases, supports change-of-state or programmable interrupts to reduce CPU polling load.
• Field wiring via transition modules – Works with ribbon/transition boards to bring I/O to DIN-rail terminals for clean panel wiring.
• Industrial temperature range (commercial grade) – Commonly specified for 0 to 55°C operation in a ventilated cabinet.
• Long lifecycle support – A go-to option for sustaining VME systems where continuity matters more than redesign risk.

Technical Specifications

Note: Exact channel counts and electrical levels can vary by build/revision. If you share your I/O voltage and channel requirements, we’ll match the correct VMIVME-3801 variant or a drop-in alternative.

Related or Supporting Products

• VMIVME-3805 – Similar digital I/O concept with different channel/isolation options; useful when you need higher density.
• VMIVME-3122 – Analog output (DAC) card for pairing discrete control with motion or process setpoints.
• VMIVME-4116 / 4122 series – Analog input boards if you also need sensor acquisition alongside discrete I/O.
• VME Transition/Breakout Modules – 50/64/96-pin ribbon to DIN-rail terminal adapters for clean field wiring.
• VME Chassis, Backplane & PSU – 6U compatible enclosures with adequate airflow and +5 V/±12 V rails.

Many teams standardize on VMIVME-3801 for discrete I/O and add analog modules as needed. One thing I appreciate is how the transition modules keep wiring neat when you’re retrofitting older cabinets.

Installation & Maintenance

• Cabinet & chassis – Use a 6U VME chassis with proper airflow; keep ambient under 55 °C. Maintain 50 mm clearance for convection around the card area.
• Wiring – Route field I/O through shielded cables if the panel is noisy. Keep power and signal cabling separated. Land shields at a single end to avoid loops.
• Grounding & isolation – If isolation is provided by the module, maintain separate field grounds and follow the transition module pinout carefully.
• ESD precautions – Handle boards with a grounded strap; avoid inserting/removing with power applied.
• Software/drivers – For VxWorks or similar RTOS, install vendor driver libraries where available; test interrupts and I/O maps during commissioning.
• Routine checks – Quarterly: verify connector tightness, clean dust from the front panel, run I/O loopbacks. Annually: review backplane voltages and update firmware/drivers if applicable.

Quality & Certifications

• CE (EMC) compliance is typically available for VME assemblies supplied by the OEM
• RoHS status may vary by production era; many legacy VME boards are RoHS-exempt
• Manufacturing quality aligned with ISO-based processes from the original VMIC/embedded supplier ecosystem
• Warranty: 365 days from shipment (replacement/repair)

If you’re modernizing a VME rack or need a like-for-like replacement, share your channel count, voltage levels, and any interrupt requirements. We’ll confirm compatibility or suggest a pinout-compatible alternative with the shortest lead time.