Hilscher plans introduction of 'coupler' between CC-Link IE and PROFINET

August 23, 2017- When the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) announced a new joint specification to allow interoperability between CC-Link IE and PROFINET, they centered the specification on the functionality of a ‘coupler’ device which would allow transparent communication between the two protocols. Now Hilscher has demonstrated its intent to bring the first coupler products to market, enabling both networks to share information.

With the new coupler, users can effectively achieve communication between differing parts of a line on separate networks, increasing transparency and integration. The bridge between the two networks will reduce the engineering work that has traditionally been necessary to achieve integration across the heterogeneous network architectures that are a fact of life in numerous plants around the world.

In particular, it will make it easier for companies to source machinery from different suppliers in different regions of the world, rather than feeling a need to compromise on functionality or performance simply for the convenience of maintaining a single network protocol. With CC-Link IE and PROFINET being most prevalent in Europe, the specification is intended to simplify integration and increase freedom of choice for end users who source production machinery globally.

Hilscher has already shown prototypes of the new device on the CLPA stand at the 2016 SPS/IPC/Drives fair in Nuremberg and again at SPS Italia in Parma in 2017. Hilscher will have prototypes with basic functionalities in October of this year with a launch scheduled for Tokyo and Nuremberg in November. Full product release is expected near the end of the first quarter 2018.

About CC-Link Partner Association

The CC-Link Partner Association is an international open network organization founded in 2000 dedicated to the technical development and promotion of the CC-Link family of open automation networks. The CLPA's key technology is CC-Link IE, the world's first and only open gigabit Ethernet for automation and an ideal solution for Industry 4.0 applications due to its unmatched bandwidth. Its main activities include the development of CC-Link IE and CC-Link technical specifications, conducting of conformance tests, development support, and promotion of the CC-Link technologies. 

Did you Enjoy this Article?

Check out our free e-newsletters
to read more great articles.

Subscribe Now