Articles and News

By Bill Lydon, Editor Cybersecurity has been and will continue to be a major topic within the industrial automation market. With the wide range of cybersecurity implications come a wide range of technical solutions. Many vendors have introduced managed security services to help manufacturers protect systems and mitigate threats. Here are my thoughts on the topic.

By EtherCAT Technology Group In Part 1, the Working Counter was described as a mechanism for EtherCAT master devices to cyclic-synchronously monitor slave behavior. Part 2 covers further diagnostic mechanisms that allow master devices to precisely detect the location and cause of error conditions both at the hardware and at the application level of a slave.

EASY Starter software now contains an OPC UA Server, which now makes it possible to access Lenze devices regardless of the type of software used.

The new organization will continue development, support and promotion of the two existing protocols, and will direct the development, incorporation and implementation of new and overlapping technologies.

Saunders reports to Leonard W. Moore, who remains Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company he founded in 1968.

By EtherCAT Technology Group EtherCAT provides a powerful diagnostic mechanism that can be used by master applications to monitor the network status synchronously with the communication cycle. Master applications such as PLC programs can therefore react immediately to any error condition within the network with a simple evaluation of the Working Counter in the application software.

The Sercos automation bus powers the revolutionary drive construction and unique rotation options of the Penta Robotics’ Veloce parallel robot.

Bradford Hegrat joined the company as industrial services director, and Jason Larsen joined the company as a principal security consultant. Hegrat is from Rockwell Automation and Larsen is from Idaho National Labs.

In 1999, Wolfgang Seel founded the company and initially developed microchips for the PROFIBUS system – one of the most important bus systems in the automation industry.

Elmo is offering login access to its EASII Experience RPS for anyone to explore motors and drives in action, configure the EtherCAT network, perform complex multi-axis synchronized motions, and develop IEC-61131-3 programs.

The voluntary NIST cybersecurity framework provides a flexible, performance-based and cost-effective approach for managing factory and plant floor risk.

By Bill Lydon, Editor The Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 visions, which includes connecting people and services, leverages open communications, like OPC UA, and embedded-to-enterprise computing.

By Mike Hannah, Rockwell Automation Forecasts say that industrial automation will make up the majority of the Internet of Things by 2025, and Internet Protocol (IP)-addressable devices are the key enabling force that will get industry there.

The video shows how the system avoids costly shutdowns related to faulty FOUNDATION Fieldbus or PROFIBUS PA segments.

CENTUM VP production control system has obtained the ISASecure Embedded Device Security Assurance (EDSA) certification from the ISA Security Compliance Institute (ISCI).

ISCI Chartered Labs are now authorized to use the Raven for ICS CRT tool for use in the communication robustness test element of ISASecure product certifications.

How to Upgrade and Replace Systems in a Running Production Environment

By Bill Lydon, Editor Industry 4.0, Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet are all driving computing to automation edge devices. These devices include controllers, sensors, actuators, motor controls, and drives. The fact that these devices could now be on a more widely known IP network creates the opportunity for viruses and malicious control of industrial equipment.

Best candidates have taken the capabilities of HART instruments beyond configuration and calibration, or are using real-time device diagnostics and process information integrated with control, information, asset management or safety systems.

Aramco Services Company (ASC) is the US-based subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.