Most Industrial Ethernet networks can provide hard real-time communication for multi-axis, synchronized motion control. But each one uses its own methods for time synchronization and data transmission to guarantee cycle times, latency, and jitter, making these networks incompatible with one another. Time-sensitive networking (TSN) sets out to solve the network compatibility problem by providing standard […]
Fieldbuses
What is isochronous real-time (IRT) data exchange?
Real-time industrial communication protocols are those in which data exchange takes place within a specified amount of time — typically less than 10 ms. But “real-time” systems can be “soft” real-time or “hard” real-time, depending on how rigidly deadlines are enforced. In a soft real-time system, occasional violations of the cycle time, or deadline, for a […]
AS-Interface: What is it and when is it used?
Sensors and actuators have traditionally been connected to PLCs or other controllers via discrete wires and cable harnesses. But the introduction of actuator-sensor interface, also known as AS-Interface, or AS-I, in the 1990’s offered users and integrators a reliable, cost-effective replacement for the bulky, time-consuming method of parallel wiring. A new version of actuator-sensor interface, […]
What are EtherCAT G and G10 and when are they used in motion control applications?
Since its launch in 2003, the EtherCAT protocol, with “processing on the fly” and data transmission speeds up to 100 Mbit/s, has been widely adopted for automation and process control applications. In 2018, Beckhoff (the developer of EtherCAT), introduced a major performance boost to EtherCAT, in the form of EtherCAT G and EtherCAT G10 — […]
Next generation of I/O fieldbus couplers from WAGO
WAGO’s 750-363 EtherNet/IP Fieldbus Coupler is the latest Ethernet/IP Adapter coupler to join their I/O System. Its fast boot-up time lets systems get online quicker and firmware updates can be accessed using the Couplers’ onboard web-based management system. This new coupler can be paired with WAGO’s 500+ I/O modules to meet the needs of any […]
EtherCAT Technology Group officially supports EtherCAT G
The Technical Committee of the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) has accepted EtherCAT G as an addition to the EtherCAT standard. Moving forward, EtherCAT G, which extends EtherCAT technology to 1 and 10 Gb/sec, respectively, will be supported and promoted by the ETG. EtherCAT G was introduced by Beckhoff Automation in 2018 as an extension of […]
ETEL adds EtherCAT option to its AccurET controls
Available in North America from HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION is a new version of the ETEL-brand AccurET controls with EtherCAT compatibility. As EtherCAT communication moves from “mid-end” automation to more high-end machine control applications, demand for this has been increasing. With that in mind, ETEL now allows its product users to take full advantage of its line […]
EtherNet/IP versus EtherCAT: What’s the difference?
A recent report by HMS shows that Industrial Ethernet now makes up 59% of the global industrial network market. Here, we look at two of the most prominent Industrial Ethernet networks — EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT — and compare the strengths of each for multi-axis applications. EtherNet/IP According to the Open DeviceNet Vendors Association, EtherNet/IP is […]
What is Industrial Ethernet and how does it differ from standard Ethernet?
You’re probably familiar with Ethernet — the networking protocol that allows computers (typically in office, school, or commercial environments) to share files, browse the internet, and access printers and other hardware connected to the network. Ethernet was developed for high-speed data transmission and is efficient, simple, and flexible. And, it’s arguably the most widely-adopted networking protocol […]
Position indicators and axis-adjusting actuators from SIKO include IO-Link
Bus-capable position indicators and actuators from SIKO are suitable for an array of machine builds today. The motion sensors and adjusters make size changeover processes more efficient and reliable — which in turn supports the flexible conversion of modern production systems for ever-smaller batch sizes. It doesn’t matter if such machine conversions are done manually […]
