November 14, 2007, Lincolnshire, IL USA. - Woodhead Industries announces addition of the BradCommunications NetDoctor to its line of diagnostic tools. NetDoctor is a passive device that continuously monitors a DeviceNet or CAN network and stores the information as OPC status tags on an HMI display over Ethernet. The information can also be accessed through a DLL interface or read directly by an EtherNet/IP master.
The NetDoctor provides extremely accurate measurements of the network parameters using high-speed sampling. By storing a baseline measurement of a “good” network, it can predict imminent failures on individual devices. Device measurements can be used in such a way, that when an OPC status tag is analyzed and is found to be outside the acceptable limits, steps can be taken to replace the device prior to its causing any downtime.
The NetDoctor can be used to diagnose current faults on a non-functioning network through the measurement of hundreds of network parameters. This can minimize downtime by pinpointing the node or location of the fault. The NetDoctor is capable of streaming waveforms in advanced mode as a remote oscilloscope. The data can also be stored to historian software for future analysis. This is useful for companies typically involved with batching applications including pharmaceutical, food & beverage. If a problem occurs with a specific batch, the historical data can be viewed to see if any network problems occurred during the same time frame. This allows the company to then make any necessary adjustments to prevent re-occurrences from happening in the future.
Woodhead Industries has always been on the forefront when introducing simulation and diagnostic solutions. Starting with the launch of the PICS Simulation software in 1987 and continuing with software tools for diagnosing and monitoring many industrial networks over the last 20 years. In the recent years, BradCommunications diagnostic tools for DeviceNet have been launched, including the NetMeter, PowerMonitor tee and software tools for SST DeviceNet interface cards. With this rich history in diagnostic offerings, Woodhead Industries proudly announces the BradCommunications NetDoctor.
Through its Brad product line, the company offers a complete line of DeviceNet and Industrial Ethernet solutions which empower the industrial infrastructure including PC & PLC interfaces, gateways, diagnostic tools, simulation software, cable, cordsets, connectors, receptacles, distribution boxes and I/O modules.
About Woodhead Industries
Woodhead Industries, a division of Molex Incorporated, (NASDAQ: MOLX AND MOLXA), is a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide array of Automation and Electrical products engineered for superior performance in demanding, harsh, or hazardous industrial environments. Woodhead Industries "Empowers the Industrial Infrastructure" with innovative products and solutions that extend from mechanical, electrical and electronics, to communications/networking devices and diagnostic software. Woodhead Industries' Brad lines of Automation products include such globally recognized names as applicom, Direct-Link, mPm, RJ-Lnxx and SST. The Woodhead family of Electrical products include globally recognized names such as Aero-Motive, Daniel Woodhead, Watertite and Super-Safeway. Molex operates from 54 locations in 18 countries spanning North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.
