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 […]
Fieldbuses
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 […]
CC-Link IE TSN and motion-control applications: Technical update for engineers
Time-sensitive networking (TSN) is not a protocol but an update to improve the IEEE Ethernet standard … and let engineers use general-purpose Ethernet for increasingly fast and sophisticated control and automation. It includes IEEE802.1AS defining its time-synchronization scheme and IEEE802.1Qbv defining its timesharing scheme. These make for punctual and reliable data and signal transmission to […]
CC-Link IE Field Basic Certification is no cost when Partner completes the Conformance testing
CLPA now offers CC-Link IE communication using 100 Mbps general-purpose Ethernet. Via software implementation only, cyclic communication can be established for visualization of production facilities through IIoT. In addition, CC-Link IE Field Basic can now be certified by the partner at no cost. By completing the CC-Link IE Field Basic CLPA Conformance testing, the CLPA partner […]
CC-Link IE and CC-Link installed base on target to reach 24 million during 2018
The number of devices communicating via the open CC-Link IE Ethernet and CC-Link Fieldbus networks passed the 22 million mark in 2017, confirming their position as one of the fastest rising industrial network technologies globally. Having posted an increasing annual growth figure of over 2 million every year for the past four years, the governing […]
The new CC-Link IE TSN — for time-sensitive networking for open industrial Ethernet
The CC-Link Partner Association (based in Nagoya Japan), the organization promoting the Ethernet-based integrated network CC-Link IE, has announced the completion of the specification for CC-Link IE Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) – a next generation network based on the current CC-Link IE. CC-Link IE TSN was developed to meet future market demands and has added […]
POSITAL Motor Feedback Kit Encoders — now with open-source BiSS interface
Rotary encoder specialist POSITAL has expanded its interface offerings for its magnetic Kit Encoders with support for the nonproprietary open-source BiSS Line communication protocol. This enables the practical implementation of single-cable technology, which is becoming increasingly popular with motor and robot manufacturers. POSITAL’s easy-to-install motor feedback kits, which feature 17-bit electronic resolution, bridge the gap […]
CANopen interface on precision magnetic encoders from POSITAL
POSITAL’s IXARC high-precision magnetic absolute rotary encoders are now available with CANopen interfaces. These new interface option is in addition to the previously announced SSI, EtherNet/IP, EtherCat, Powerlink, Profbus DP and Profinet interfaces. Together, this range of interface choices makes the rugged and compact IXARC encoders one of the most versatile devices of its type […]
New networked safe torque off option module helps simplify machine design
Rockwell Automation has introduced a networked safe torque off option module, allowing safety and nonsafety functions to share the same EtherNet/IP network. Designed for the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755 and PowerFlex 755T AC drives, this safety option helps protect personnel and equipment by removing rotational power from the motor without removing power from the drive. This functionality […]
