Industrial Ethernet in Motion Control
Today I viewed the Automation World webcast “Deterministic Ethernet for Distributed Motion Control” (sponsored by National Instruments). It’s now available for viewing. It covers EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, and PROFINET for motion control. Irene Bearly of NI handled the PROFINET portion very well. (She learned at one of our free training classes – you should attend one.) …
Read MorePROFINET PROFIdrive
I’m in Cincinnati for a PROFINET one-day training class tomorrow after last week in Toronto and the week before in Milwaukee with a stopover in Cleveland. I have some reports from all these places coming up, but first… Having arrived in town early, I had a chance to visit PTO member Jacobs Automation. I got…
Read MorePROFIBUS and PROFINET Ubiquity
In reviewing this past week, I see that a number of PROFIBUS application stories have appeared along with some nifty PROFINET new product announcements. The PROFIBUS application stories: Topaz completes RAK Cement installation Process Dynamics and Siemens SIMATIC PCS 7 – the automatic choice for Parmalat Accuweigh supplies coated platform scales to Gold Coast desal…
Read MoreBoston: “Tell me more about CBA”
One of the follow up questions on the Boston PROFINET one-day training class feedback forms indicated that we should say more about Component Based Automation (CBA). For those who didn’t hear enough about CBA in Boston, you can find more information in Section 15 of “PROFINET Technology and Application.” You can find it on the…
Read MoreGrowth of PROFINET and the PI Organization
A report from the 21st PI international meeting in Krakow, Poland: PI Chairman, Joerg Freitag reported that PROFIBUS growth may be flat this year, an anomaly due to the economy. But despite the economy, PROFINET continues to grow. Speaking of growth, there are currently 25 Regional PI Associations (RPAs) with India in planning as #26…
Read MoreWhat are the differences between PROFIBUS V0, V1, and V2?
The question was prompted at the Vancouver PROFINET one-day training class. (Yes, we get PROFIBUS questions at the PROFINET class and vice versa.) Here’s the summary: DPV0: Cyclic Data Exchange, Diagnostics (all devices) DPV1: Acyclic Data Exchange, Process Alarm Handling (process automation) DPV2: Clock Synchronization & Time Stamp (drives) It’s important to note that the…
Read MoreIs PROFINET routable? (Report from Vancouver)
The question came up at the PROFINET one-day training class in Vancouver: “Is PROFINET routable?” In other words, can PROFINET messages be sent through a router? First, a little background. In an Ethernet network, several types of device can be used: hubs, switches, and routers. Each works at a different layer of the ISO/OSI reference…
Read More23-minute Intro to PROFINET
I was one of four presenters at GlobalSpec’s virtual conference and exhibit. If you need a really brief introduction to PROFINET, the presentation is archived in the “Conference Center” there. I wasn’t able to answer all the questions, but look for a document with all the questions answered on the site as well.
Read MorePROFINET Certified Network Engineer Training
How do you gauge the growth of your favorite technology without an expensive market company study? (PROFINET being the technology; it’s my favorite.) One way is the number of people coming to the free one-day training classes. (An ever-increasing number.) A second is those taking the next step and clamoring for the next class –…
Read MoreWireless Ethernet Safety
One of the other questions that came up in Grand Rapids came up during the PROFINET section and related to safety. I thought it worth expanding on the answer to that. The question: “Can I use PROFINET over wireless in a PROFIBUS PA environment?” First, let’s be clear that we are talking about two different…
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