The Industrial Internet of Things Simplified
I wanted to define IIoT briefly without using phrases like “cyber-physical systems.” Here’s a start: Industrial Robust Internet Communication of of Things Automation Devices Industrial: Robust, rugged, and other words indicating the kind of quality those of us in industrial automation expect so installed devices survive in the hostile environment of the plant floor or…
Read MorePROFINET and IIoT in the News
There was a time when I was an engineer who engineered. Now I’m an engineer who writes (and edits and teaches). I edit PROFINEWS and write some articles along with Michael Bowne. And write for the blog. And write less than 140 characters at a time for twice-a-weekday Tweets. But wait, there’s more: Here, with…
Read MoreMore PROFINET and PROFIBUS Statistics and News
One of the great values at the annual international PI meeting was hearing from the other Regional PI Associations (RPAs). This year we had presentations from: Australia, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Middle East, Netherlands, and North America. Their highlights: Australia: includes video interviews on their website. They also participate in exhibitions and conferences. Belgium:…
Read MoreSome PROFINET and PROFIBUS Statistics and News
The annual international PI meeting was recently held in Ireland. It was five solid days (and nights) of PROFINET and PROFIBUS. Here are a few observations that are of general interest. Mike Bryant, Executive Director of PI North America, has been Deputy Chairman of PI (international) since PI was formed by the Regional PI Associations…
Read MoreWhy Use a Fieldbus?
There are two main reasons to use a fieldbus or Industrial Ethernet like PROFIBUS or PROFINET: Save wiring. Prevent downtime. Most users think about saving wiring as the most important reason. Not just wiring, of course. When you reduce the amount of wiring, you also reduce: The number of terminal strips the wire lands on…
Read More5 Questions about PI North America Answered
We at PI North America spend most of our time educating people about the technologies: PROFIBUS and PROFINET. But what is PI North America? Here are answers to the 5 most common questions about the organization. What does PI North America DO? We have only two goals: educate and assist – educate people about PROFIBUS…
Read MoreAlso Catching the Process Fieldbus
I have often recommended James Powell’s Catching the Process Fieldbus: An Introduction to Profibus for Process Automation. It’s a great start to understanding PROFIBUS. I’ve even previously blogged about it as “Catching the Process Fieldbus.” It’s been available at Amazon as a hardcover. And we’ve given some away as raffle prizes at one-day training classes. …
Read MorePROFINET Student Tips
With sixteen free PROFINET one-day training classes around the USA, we probably have one near you. You should come. (See the city list.) Here are some tips to get the most out of the class: Be prepared. If you are unfamiliar with Ethernet, before you come, watch our webinar “An Introduction to Ethernet for Control…
Read MoreHanover 2015: The Lighter Side
I enjoy meeting unexpected people at the fair. This year that included sitting next to the deputy mayor of Akron, Ohio at breakfast one morning. (I got my BSEE from the University of Akron.) Akron has been represented at Hanover Fair for 30 years seeking to attract businesses to locate North American operations in Akron.…
Read MoreHanover 2015: IO-Link News
IO-Link had some big news at the fair, but first let’s look at some of the IO-Link products. First, the IO-Link wall at the PI booth with more products than ever before. One of those products was an AS-interface master for IO-Link. Ok, there are masters for every other bus you can imagine, but, really,…
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