Developments from Hirschmann advance industrial networking
September 2006
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Hirschmann Automation and Control is offering the managed switches of the Rail, MICE, PowerMICE and MACH 4000 product families, together with industrial profiles which are special software packages. These network components can then be totally integrated in the three standard protocols PROFINET, EtherNet/IP or Modbus TCP. The respective profiles can be selected through the Webshop-Configurator OpenRail and are then copied onto the switches at the factory. This software can also be exchanged later over the Internet.
"With this concept Hirschmann adopts a pioneer role as a neutral manufacturer of network equipment," the head of marketing, Dr Klaus Zwerina, explains. "Because then not only do the standard protocols of large automation manufacturers become accessible to all Ethernet users, but at the same time Hirschmann switches can also be integrated in the application software of these manufacturers."
This integration enables both the configuration and monitoring of the network components according to the plug-and-play principle. Dr Zwerina commented: "This enables a homogeneous, plant-wide engineering from the simple commissioning through the smooth integration in the diagnostic concept to the comfortable exchange of defective components by automatic assignment of the configuration parameters."
OpenRail switches
Rail switches with management functions guarantee high availability of complex automation systems with innovative redundancy solutions and the option of network monitoring.
Modular Rail switches perform due to their flexibility through problem free planning, minimum storage problems and easy adaptation to the most varied network topologies with media modules. One can have customised solutions for all industrial data networks and have the capability to expand due to their modular structure.
Network topologies
To enable all this, the industry demands higher standards on the redundancy of the Ethernet network.
To reach higher redundancies different topologies are necessary. A typical industrial topology is shown in Figure 1. The ring structure plays a very important role in Industrial Ethernet topologies. The reason is that it is easy to install and it gives cable redundancy. It is necessary to use fibre cable for backbone infrastructure. The reasons are immunity against electrical noise, lightning resistant and high bandwidth availability.
Figure 1. A typical industrial topology
Against this background the description of Industrial Ethernet is closely connected with topics such as information technology in automation, Internet in production or web-based operation and observation. Figure 1 shows only the most important elements of the Industrial Ethernet world. The entire complex environment cannot be described in detail here. But taken together it has now become clear that Industrial Ethernet is increasingly becoming the focal point for harmonisation of the systems environment.
For more information contact Industrial Automation & Control, +27 (0) 12 657 3600.
Further reading:
Integrated automation systems in poultry feed production
Adroit Technologies
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
South Africa’s poultry industry is increasingly turning to advanced automation systems to optimise operations. Working in partnership with Adroit Technologies, leading poultry supplier Sovereign implemented the Mitsubishi Adroit Process Suite across a key feed production facility, creating a scalable, integrated system capable of supporting both current operations and future expansion.
Read more...
Why secure industrial communication depends on deployment as well
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The Industrial Security Harmonisation Group has released a joint industry perspective highlighting a critical truth in industrial cybersecurity: secure communication is not determined by protocols alone, but by how they are deployed and managed in real-world environments.
Read more...
A single platform for all automation functions
Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The introduction of TwinCAT in 1996 marked a decisive evolutionary step for PC-based control. Today, the TwinCAT platform combines all automation functions in a strictly deterministic real-time environment, from PLC and motion control through CNC and measurement technology and beyond, to vision, robotics and pioneering AI tools.
Read more...
Loop signature Part 2-4: Feedforward Control: Part 3
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In the previous articles in this series, the basic theory behind feedforward control was discussed, and it was also shown how to apply feedforward in practice. In this article, it will be shown how well feedforward can work in practice by giving a couple of examples.
Read more...
Control Station and Dimension Software partner to connect control performance monitoring with enterprise operations intelligence
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Control Station has entered into a strategic technology partnership with Dimension Software, a leading provider of industrial operations management platforms. The collaboration connects Control Station’s PlantESP control loop performance monitoring platform with Dimension Software’s Asset Intellect operations intelligence environment, enabling manufacturers to operationalise control performance insights across their organisations.
Read more...
PCIe digitiser cards for optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis
Vepac Electronics
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The addition of two new PCIe Digitiser cards from Spectrum Instrumentation extends the company’s flagship M5i series to deliver optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis capabilities.
Read more...
Precise, synchronised control for automated steel mesh handling system
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Automation specialist Hambi Maschinenbau has developed a world-first system that automates the cutting, handling and stacking of heavy reinforcing steel mesh – a task that previously required up to six human operators.
Read more...
Loop signature Part 2-3: Feedforward Control: Part 2
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Feedforward control tuning is not nearly as critical as feedback tuning, and fairly simple models are usually fine for the purpose in hand.
Read more...
Upgrading radiological surveillance systems in nuclear facilities
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Nuclear plant operators face an uncomfortable reality. Many of the control and monitoring systems still in use today were never designed to support the full operational lifespan of the facilities they serve.
Read more...
Next-level CAN Software enables easy access to CAN XL
Industrial Data Xchange (IDX)
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
With the release of its PCAN-Explorer 7, PEAK delivers a major update that adds full support for CAN XL, multiple symbol files per connection, Python scripting and flexible licensing including floating licenses.
Read more...
printer friendly version