Articles and News

The testing session involved interoperability of the different implementations of the new IEC 62439-3 Ethernet redundancy protocols.

Automation.com, June 2012 By Chris Jones, Micro-Epsilon UK EtherCAT has established itself within the market as a communications standard that can offer true real time capabilities in automation technology. Micro-Epsilon has developed sensors and controllers with EtherCAT capability, enabling them to be smoothly integrated into existing control and automation networks.

Weidmueller will include PROFIdtm (communications or commDTM) with its WI-Manager.

The product was shipped to Atlas Copco Tools in Sweden who needed to connect one of their control systems to EtherNet/IP.

Automation.com, June 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor Hannover Messe provides a unique event to directly see a wide range of automation technology, its application on a wide range of equipment, and the opportunity to talk with users. These are trends and products from the fair that I think are worth noting.

This 44-page document lists hundreds of SERCOS II and Sercos III products and services from dozens of manufacturers around the world.

MatrikonOPC announces the opening of its Costa Rica office.

The Safe Motion Profile guarantees that the safety-related functions of the peripheral devices are available across the entire Sercos network in a uniform and manufacturer-independent manner.

Kepware Technologies signed Allied Solutions in Singapore as a distributor throughout Southeast Asia.

Automation.com, June 2012 By Jason Goerges, ACS Motion Control EtherCAT is becoming increasingly popular for control and system engineers as a robust, high-speed real-time network for machine control solutions. Here are some of the most prominent benefits of EtherCAT as they relate to motion control systems.

Automation.com, June 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor Each year at Hannover Messe, I see some really interesting, innovative and cool applications of technology. Here are a few reviews of some examples that grabbed my attention, complete with videos of each application.

This 24-page news magazine includes a feature article on Electronic Image Processing with Sercos, several applications articles, and an interview with Wago Corporation.

The I/O Modules are now certified by the PNO (PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation) in accordance with PROFINET specifications meeting all requirements for conformance class B.

The LE-200 is also available with a variety of protocol options including EtherNET/IP, DeviceNET, Profibus, Interbus and CAN interfaces.

OPC has become a de facto standard for data integration in industrial automation applications. Attend OPC Technology Summit 2012, scheduled for October 16-18, to learn more about OPC technology and to network with the OPC experts. Register today for the early bird discount.

TIA and the OPC Foundation will work to promote and produce harmonious telecom technology standards. The two organizations will also consider regulatory issues of common importance to further the development of high-tech communications industries worldwide.

System integrator ITAC installed Rockwell Automation ControlLogix, RSLogix, PlantPax, drives, DeviceNet and EtherNet/IP hardware and software at an unnamed tobacco company.

Automation.com, May 2012 By Jürgen Lange, Softing Here's a history of OPC, which also gives an understanding of the importance that the new OPC Unified Architecture standard has for automation. Part 2 in a series of eight articles

Thomas Hahn of Siemens was elected to replace Reinhold Achatz, who resigned his seat.

Automation.com, May 2012 By Georg Süss, Softing OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is a standard is aimed at eliminating the weak points detected in Classic OPC while significantly expanding the use case scenarios. Part 1 in a series of eight articles.