Network management systems help minimize the administration work in distributed, heterogeneous industrial networks: they cyclically record and monitor all devices and connections and document their availability, they localize errors, etc. more

The natural consequence of the increased use of Ethernet in industrial applications is that the Ethernet network has quickly established itself as the backbone of many critical manufacturing applications and the vehicle that plant operators use to control and monitor production. more

Elektronikwerk Amberg relies on wireless LAN technology for the internal networking of a new paternoster system for the continuous temperature testing of operator panels. The wireless communication minimizes the wiring and maintenance efforts and at the same time increases the flexibility and the operating and testing convenience of the system. more

The increasing use of Ethernet networking in automation technology has led to a sharp increase in the number of network components and terminals over the last few years and to the use of network technologies from the office environment. more

In the past there was a clear distinction between field busses in manufacturing and Ethernet in the IT world. Now, however, networks based on the Ethernet protocol are conquering the furthest reaches of the factory, and the two formerly distinct communication structures are starting to merge. So it is only natural that the CIO (Chief Information Officer), in other words the head of IT, and the COO (Chief Operation Officer), in other words the plant manager, are increasingly able to "talk" on the same network. more

Even with simple real-time applications, a synchronized, low-jitter data exchange can be realized via Industrial Ethernet interfaces with very little system expenditure by using a Profinet-compatible device and an intermediate driver. more

The Ethernet with its different transmission speeds is increasingly leaving the office and penetrating every last corner of the factory. It is therefore understandable that IT managers and plant managers want to communicate via the same network. But do they understand each other? more

With Wireless LAN (WLAN), employees have mobile access to an in-house data network from virtually anywhere. This mobile access enabled by WLAN has benefits for industry as well. It increases flexibility and using wireless communication with automation equipment and industrial terminal units simplifies maintenance work while reducing service costs and downtime. As a result, the company is more competitive. more

Profinet with IRT has already proven its performance capability in many applications. Cycle times of less than 1 ms at a jitter accuracy of less than 1 µs can be reached. more

The familiar saying "A picture speaks more than a thousand words" also applies for software in principle. Innovative configuring tools take this into account and offer a graphic view which is clearer than any program code. more

Drive and automation functions are being increasingly distributed in modular machine concepts The available intelligence in drive solutions can take over more and more tasks due to growing processor performance - even up to motion control and control functions with standardized Ethernet-based field buses providing the necessary data exchange and isochronously in real-time. more

The ever-increasing use of Ethernet in automation is resulting in the existence of larger and more complex network structures. The permanent availability of the network is absolutely essential. OPC Technology helps to control these networks. more

The SPS/IPC/Drives has now become one of the most important fairs for automation engineering. The technical congress which accompanies the fair is also becoming increasingly attractive. The 700 people who have registered this year are living proof. more

Ethernet gave its debut in industrial communication about 20 years ago as Sinec H1 from Siemens. Now this bus system, in the Profibus version, is the trend for networking all levels of industry. more

The Elektrolux factory in Porcia (Italy) is the most important production site for washing machines of the Elektrolux Group and, thanks to Ethernet, is a fully integrated factory with information exchange on all levels. We spoke to Vincenzo Peresson. more

Ethernet is increasingly turned into a universal bus not only for office but also in industry applications. This however creates totally new requirements concerning security of the transmission and protection against unauthorized access. more

New protocols and industrially compatible components now ensure that efficient and economical automation solutions can be implemented with Industrial Ethernet. more