Drives & Controls Magazine February 2023

48 n NEW PRODUCTS n DESIGN DATA AND MULTIMEDIA February 2023 www.drivesncontrols.com Siemens is collaborating with the industrial communications specialist Hilscher to provide simple plug-in support for a wide range of communication protocols in its Simatic industrial PCs. By integrating Hilscher’s cifX PC cards in the M.2 format with the PCs, users will get access to 19 different fieldbus and real-time Ethernet systems, including Profibus-DP, CANopen, DeviceNet, Profinet-IO, EtherCat, EtherNet/IP, OpenModbus/TCP, Powerlink, Sercos, CC-Link IE Field Basic and Varan. The variety of protocols will allow users to adapt their PCs to different markets and regions. The comms cards can be added to Simatic Box and Panel PCs (with optional touchscreen displays) using simple plug-and- play set-up and activation. Hilscher's intelligent netX network controllers enable the integration of the fieldbuses and real-time Ethernet protocols in the M.2 PC card. Users will benefit from unified device drivers, a single configuration tool, as well as a consistent APIs across all protocols. Switching to the required protocol can be carried out via Hilscher firmware, which is included. Hilscher also offers protocol stacks for controller and device applications. M.2 bundles for integration into the Simatic PCs will be availablefromHilscher. Siemens / Hilscher https://new.siemens.com/ global/en/products/ automation/pc-based Moxa has developed industrial Ethernet gateways that allow bidirectional communications between Modbus RTU/ASCII/TCP and Ethernet/IP networks. The MGate 5135/5435 gateways integrate existing Modbus devices onto EtherNet/IP networks by acting as Modbus clients that collect and exchange data with the EtherNet/IP host. An intuitive Web-based console makes configuration easy, eliminating the need to install an extra utility. CSV files can be applied for offline configurations. HTTPS encryption of communications ensures high network security. The gateways offer several maintenance functions that cut the time and expense associated with network troubleshooting. These tools help to capture and check data to identify the root cause of issues, especially during installation. A status monitoring function notifies PLC/DCS/Scada systems if a Modbus device is disconnected or does not respond, while fault protection executes pre-defined actions if a host becomes disconnected. Moxa www.moxa.com Gateways bridge gap between Ethernet/IP and Modbus networks Scorpion Vision has launched what it claims is the biggest online marketplace for machine vision and imaging products. The site catalogues more than 1,000 cameras and components, including lenses, light sources, cables, industrial PCs, interface boards and software. Delivery is free in the UK and many items – including embedded cameras and lenses – are available for next-day delivery. The site offers specialist knowledge and advice, with a live chat facility that allows buyers to ask imaging experts questions. There are also tips and recommendations – for example, on how to choose a lens. Visitors can find the ideal lens or camera for their application by filtering search criteria. https://shop.scorpion.vision Paper explores how TSN can level up manufacturing The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) has published aWhite Paper examining the real-world benefits that Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) can deliver to businesses in the manufacturing and processing sectors, such as increased uptime, productivity and product quality. Called Delivering TSN’s benefits tomanufacturing , the paper details effective data-driven solutions that the technology can enable. It showcases howTSN can address digital transformation strategies, describing the role that it is playing in driving convergence and the IIoT. https://eu.cc-link.org/en/campaign/2022/tsnwp Virtual experience helps to implement safety Omron has launched a“Safety Virtual Experience” that offers information on safety systems for automotive and intralogistics applications. The online facility provides safety guides and information on technologies such as emergency stops, laser scanners, door switches and light curtains. Support by 3D animations, videos and presentations, it allows visitors to explore application options and to see how they could be implemented in real life. Omron says the experience is ideal for manufacturers moving from traditional to automated applications. A “Safety Curiosities Lab”offers how-to videos on safe automation topics, such as select pushbuttons or linking e-stop signals with machinery. https://drivesncontrols.news/z288sc Guide helps to make the ROI case for robots The specialist dispensing robotics supplier Intertronics has released a White Paper to help UK manufacturers build a business case for investing in robots. Called Achieving ROI with robotics , the paper provides case studies and busts common robot myths. It discusses why the UK is below the global average for robot density. One barrier is a lack of understanding of ROIs and worries about costs. The paper uses the comany’s in-house expertise and includes a contribution fromMike Wilson, chief automation officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre. www.intertronics.co.uk Collaboration gives IPCs access to 19 fieldbuses and comms ‘Biggest’ machine vision Web shop contains more than 1,000 products