NETWORKS inside

The "Open Modular Architecture Controls" (OMAC) User Group presented a multi-vendor system of devices showing the benefits of several digital protocols for use inside and beyond packaging and other machines at Pack Expo 2006 in Chicago, IL, Oct. 29-Nov. 1. The packaging industry is said to require high levels of flexibility and throughput with low costs. Systems used should demonstrate high dynamics and perfect interaction of individual components.

Ethernet Powerlink Standardization Group (EPSG) demonstration, actuators, sensors, and I/O modules were integrated into a Powerlink network in the OMAC system and communicated with each other. Ethernet Powerlink installations reach network cycle times of less than 200 µs with a jitter below 1 µs. Integrated safety engineering can eliminate double cabling and reduce wiring costs. Individual components are synchronized, and serial communication between several controllers is possible. Components can be added or removed from the configuration via Hot-Plug. The Ethernet Powerlink software can be implemented in standard Ethernet hardware.

"Only a product that continually proves its performance and openness will survive on the market," says Dr. Edwin Kiel, chairman of the EPSG. "The trend is moving away from proprietary systems. Today, devices from various manufacturers need to interact with each other problem-free and perform to their fullest. Ethernet Powerlink meets these demands completely."

EPSG says Ethernet Powerlink (EPL) is "the only market-established real-time Ethernet protocol with micro-second accuracy. It is based exclusively on international standards and there are over 150,000 EPL nodes in use in traditional production machinery around the world." EPL is "an open standard for distributed automation solutions based on the Ethernet and CANopen profiles," and more than 300 facilitators, suppliers and users have implemented EPL, EPSG says, while over 150 mechanical engineers have completed EPL projects. Group members include: ABB Robotics, Alstom, Altera, Baldor, B&R, Eckelmann, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, Hirschmann, infoteam Software, innotec, IXXAT, Kuka, KW Software, Lenze, Pepperl + Fuchs, port and Tetra Pak.

The SERCOS interface trade association demonstrated interoperability of SERCOS II and SERCOS III motion controllers and servodrive products from multiple vendors.

With a new SERCOS III controller from AMK and another new SERCOS III controller and servo drives from Bosch Rexroth, the demo showed the new SERCOS Controller-to-Controller (C2C) profile, which interconnects and synchronizes three controllers in the demo. The C2C profile allows cross communication and synchronization of controls and even individual servodrives in different parts of a machine or packaging line, and meets the cell bus requirements of the OMAC Packaging Workgroup. The controller-to-controller profile takes into consideration innovative SERCOS III features, such as hardware redundancy, hot-plugging, and cross communication.

For related coverage, search Pack Expo or Make2Pack atop any page at www.controleng.com or www.packagingdigest.com.

For more information, visit:

www.ethernet-powerlink.org

www.omac.org

www.sercos.org