--- title: "Explore Tulip's Edge Devices and Edge Connectivity Options" description: "Connect to the machines, calipers, scales, printers, and more on your shopfloor with Tulip for a full view of your operations." url: "https://pr-1391.tulip-co.tulipecointra.net/platform/edge-devices/" lang: "en" --- Hardware and Device Integrations # Edge connectivity. Self-service, fast, customizable. More integrations. Lower cost. Infinite possibilities. All with Tulip’s connectivity options and edge devices. [Request a Demo](https://pr-1391.tulip-co.tulipecointra.net/contact-sales/) **MQTT & OPC UA** Data Ops ### Integrate with your existing systems Capture machine attributes by connecting Tulip to your OPC UA server or your MQTT broker with pre-built connectors to Highbyte, Litmus, HiveMQ, etc. ![Data ops visual](https://tulip.widen.net/content/yfbyjapohh/) [Learn more about connectivity options](https://support.tulip.co/docs/connect-to-hardware) **Devices drivers** Device drivers ### Connect devices directly to Tulip Connect USB devices and torque controllers directly to your work stations with device drivers. No additional edge devices required. ![Connectivity drivers](https://tulip.widen.net/content/cq0bxznwzl/) [Explore 700+ devices](https://library.tulip.co/search?section=Devices) Ways to Connect ## Explore edge devices and kits ![edge device](https://tulip.widen.net/content/dqhkzahmem/) Legacy & Networked Machines ### Edge IO Powerful machine monitoring and connectivity with USB, GPIO and ADC. $600 - Ethernet WAN/LAN, Dualband 802.11ac Wifi - Connect to networked machines via OPC UA and Node-RED - Monitor machines with high-frequency vibration and current monitoring with off-the-shelf sensors - Automate with Serial, TCP/IP, GPIO, ADC - Integrated light kit for up to 2 LED strips [Buy now](https://pr-1391.tulip-co.tulipecointra.net/products/buy-edge-io/) [Technical details](https://support.tulip.co/docs/edge-io) ![Edge MC](https://tulip.widen.net/content/jvehpdc8e0) Device Connectivity & Networked Machines ### Edge MC Wireless connectivity with USB, Node-RED, and native OPC UA. $150 - Ethernet WAN/LAN, Dualband 802.11b/g/n Wifi - OPC UA and Node-RED - Off-the-shelf sensors - Serial, TCP/IP [Buy Edge MC](https://pr-1391.tulip-co.tulipecointra.net/products/buy-edge-mc/) [Technical details](https://support.tulip.co/docs/edgemc) ![Machine Kit](https://tulip.widen.net/content/g9plfdw6x9/) Legacy Equipment ### Machine Kit Connect any machine to the cloud with current sensors to integrate real-time utilization data into your operations. $375 - Edge MC for computing at the edge - Two current clamps to attach to the power source - Pre-built production monitoring terminal app [Buy Machine Kit](https://pr-1391.tulip-co.tulipecointra.net/products/buy-machine-kit/) [Technical details](https://support.tulip.co/docs/set-up-the-machine-kit) ![Light kit](https://tulip.widen.net/content/ufrqifkpo5/webp) Guide with Light ### Light Kit Configurable LED light strips for pick-to-light, place-to-light, and more. Requires Edge MC or Edge IO. Edge IO comes with the ability to connect up to 2 light strips. - Tulip light kit device with 8 channel outputs - 2x 1m light strips with 60 LEDs - Additional LED strips available for purchase [Request Light Kit](https://pr-1391.tulip-co.tulipecointra.net/contact-us/) [Technical overview](https://support.tulip.co/docs/light-kit-overview) ### Fast, self-serve setup Spend less time configuring, and more time solving problems. No coding required. ### Open and flexible Connect the machines, devices, sensors that matter to break down silos and create a unified operation ### Customizable Integrate specialized, legacy, or innovative equipment with advanced capabilities ## Connect your operations. [Contact Us](https://pr-1391.tulip-co.tulipecointra.net/contact-sales/) ## FAQs ### Do I always need an edge device? Not always. USB devices (scanners, calipers, scales) connect directly to your computer or tablet with Tulip's device drivers. Edge devices are for machines, sensors, wireless placement, and protocols your PC can't reach. ### What's the main difference between Edge IO and Edge MC? Edge IO enables high-frequency vibration and current monitoring with 3rd party sensors via the ADC input. Edge IO also has inputs for GPIO, break beam sensor support, and two integrated light strip channels. Edge MC is smaller and covers a subset of options Edge IO offers, including USB devices, OPC UA, Node-RED, serial, and TCP/IP. ### I have an I/O Gateway. Is it still supported? The I/O Gateway is no longer available for purchase. Edge IO is its replacement and covers the same OPC UA, sensor, GPIO, and light kit use cases. ### How do I set up a machine connection? Three steps: add the machine connection, standardize its attributes so data reads the same across sources, then define the attributes and machine states you want on your dashboards. [Set up your first machine](https://support.tulip.co/docs/set-up-your-first-machine) ### Can I define my own machine states and downtime reasons? Yes. Machine attributes, machine states, and downtime reasons are all configurable, even across machines using different protocols. ### Can I calculate OEE? Yes. OEE and OPE both, with real-time dashboards and equipment status views. Because you can combine machine data with operator context, you can go beyond OEE to explain why a number moved. ### What is Node-RED and do I need to know it? Node-RED is low-code, flow-based programming built into Tulip's edge devices. You don't need it for supported devices and machines; it's there when you want to reach something custom. ### Can devices trigger actions in my apps? Yes. Any device event or measurement can fire a trigger, so apps can advance a step, flag an out-of-spec reading, or light a bin automatically. ### Is edge connectivity secure and GxP-ready? Yes. Tulip's platform includes enterprise-grade security and GxP validation features that extend to edge-collected data. ### Do I need an edge device to use the Light Kit? Yes. Light Kit connects to the platform through an Edge MC or an Edge IO. Edge IO can also drive up to two light strips directly, without the Light Kit device. ### How many light strips can one Light Kit drive? Up to eight, across eight channel outputs. Additional strips are available in 1m × 30 LED (THLS130), 1m × 60 LED (THLS160), and 2m × 60 LED (THLS260) configurations. ### How do I configure the lights? The set up of the light kit is straightforward, without any coding. Set bin size, color, and behavior, and then connect the lights to your apps with triggers. Ready-made pick-to-light apps are available in the Tulip Library. [Tulip Light Kit initial setup](https://support.tulip.co/docs/tulip-light-kit-initial-setup) ### Will the hardware hold up on a factory floor? Tulip edge devices are built for industrial environments, are device and software agnostic, and stay in lockstep with platform releases, so your software won't outgrow your hardware.