IO-Link integrated in OPC UA

By
June 14, 2018
IO-Link, News, OPC, OPC UA, Press Releases

On the basis of existing use cases,  in 2017 the IO-Link Community developed a method for implementing an integration of IO-Link into OPC UA.

OPC UA, the “Unified Architecture” of the OPC Foundation, is an industrial M2M communication protocol that has successfully established itself around the world as a standard in the comprehensive integration of IT on the field level.

“Plattform Industrie 4.0”, an initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry, sees OPC UA as a suitable architectural model for integrating sensors/actuators above the IT systems (“cloud”) on the automation level.

For IO-Link, the point-to-point protocol for sensors/actuators, now with more than 7,000 available different masters and devices, a fieldbus-independent integration via OPC UA is very interesting, as it can be used to further expand the breadth of possible automation solutions: IO-Link masters, which bundle the data from sensors and actuators, can process these data not only as fieldbus nodes, but can also make higher levels available inside and outside of the automation pyramid via OPC UA.

In this way, sensor data can be integrated with little effort and seamlessly in MES and ERP systems, which is often referred to as “sensor-to-cloud” functionality. For many applications, this opening to OPC UA means new flexibility for the use of sensors and actuators.

In the past nine months, the IO-Link Community has therefore developed a corresponding standard for the data and function model to allow IO-Link devices and IO-Link masters to be represented accordingly in OPC UA in the future. The so-called “Companion Standard IEC 61131-9” specification now available for the integration of IO-Link in OPC UA, follows the requirements of the OPC Foundation.

The joint working group of the IO-Link community and the OPC Foundation (C4/PG51) charged with developing this Companion Standard is currently working at full speed to complete this specification so as to be able to distribute a review-ready version to all IO-Link, PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) and OPC Foundation members. In addition, the implementation of reference systems, which are necessary for the test, has begun as has the development of products that can offer this OPC UA interface for IO-Link.

Employees from more than 20 companies are actively involved in this working group – technical experts from the IO-Link field (devices, masters) as well as experts from the OPC UA area, who have already successfully contributed to other Companion Standards.

The final draft for the Companion Specification (draft for voting) is planned for May 2018. It will then undergo an in-depth review followed by approval at SPS/IPC/Drives in the fall.

End

Presentation details – PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link seminar

By
June 11, 2018
Events, Free Seminars, Industrial Internet of Things, IO-Link, News, PI UK News, Press Releases, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, PROFIsafe, Training

PI UK SeminarHere – in full detail – is the agenda of our free-to-attend seminar – June 20th, Manchester.

The good news, too, is that there are still a few places available if you book now!

Time Item Presenter
09:15 – 09:30 Welcome and introduction to exhibitors Andy Smith, E+H
09:30 – 10:00 PROFIBUS International and basics of PROFIBUS and PROFINET

An overview of the Group’s structure and global representation, taking a look at the protocol basics and their differences, plus showing the progress of the number of installed devices from the group’s supported technologies and relating these figures to their market share.

 Mark Freeman, Siemens
10:00 – 10:30 PROFIBUS DP/PA network design

“During my nearly 30 years in the industry, I have seen the benefits of using both PROFIBUS and PROFINET solutions. However, I have also felt the pain of installation, panel build and commissioning.  This presentation is a condensed summary of best practice and hazards to be watchful for.”

 Chris McComb, iTech
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee and exhibition
11:00 – 11:30 PROFINET network design Andy Williams, Siemens
It is widely accepted that the most important decisions are made at the design stage of a project. This presentation examines the fundamental principles of good network design for PROFINET systems, although many of the ideas are applicable to PROFIBUS and other networking systems. The presentation will discuss the main factors that must be considered at the design stage of an automation system. Practical examples will show how facilities for health checking, fault-finding and maintenance can have a crucial impact on plant availability. The presentation will also examine how properly thought out network monitoring and redundancy can drastically affect plant up-time and thus profitability.
11:30 – 12:00 Industrial network commissioning and testing Dave Tomlin, Hitex
Identifying potential future problems, diagnosing current problems and the steps to take to make your network fit for the future.
12:00 – 12:30 PROFIBUS and PROFINET device configuration tools. Phil Waterworth, Endress + Hauser
A look at the types of tools and their development followed by a live demonstration of PROFIBUS and PROFINET device configuration using an open platform and web browser option.
12:30 – 13:00 IO-Link technology Adrian Sorsby, Balluff
This presentation will be covering what a typical IO-Link solution consists of, how it interfaces to the control system and the benefits that can be derived from this increased level of communication with IO-Link devices. These include easier handling of measurement signals, remote and automatic device parameterisation, smart sensor diagnostic functions, safety over IO-Link whilst also being an enabler for Industrial IoT and Industry 4.0 strategies.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch and Exhibition
14:00 – 14:30 Industrial networks safety & security Ben Murphy, Siemens
This presentation will discuss why cybersecurity is an issue for safety instrumented systems and will examine example architectures when communicating with the SIS.
14:30 – 15:00 Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Derek Lane, Wago
A short journey to explain IIoT The Industrial Internet of things, IND4.0 from IND1.0 and Big Data. How PROFINET is placed as the ideal Industrial Fieldbus to fulfil the above, how its implemented and why you should consider it. Some of the myths explained.
15:00 – 15:30 Summary, questions & close Andy Smith, E+H

Hosted by Endress + Hauser, this event addresses the key practical issues arising from the use of digital communications technologies in automated manufacturing and process industry applications, with particular attention to Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Covering key application areas such as mechanical handling and logistics, robotics, automotive engineering, electrical and electronics assembly, control systems and energy management, pulp & paper, chemical, utilities, pharmaceutical, packaging and printing, it focuses on the practical aspects of using PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link, from system design and safety considerations through to fault-finding and maintenance.

Supported by an exhibition with demonstrations of actual tools used in configuration and maintenance, the seminar will be of great value to Designers, Production/System Engineers, Instrument Technicians/Engineers and C&I Engineers involved in the design, operation and maintenance of modern automated factories and process plant.

With nearly 80 million nodes installed worldwide, PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link are truly market leaders, providing state of the art digital communications addressing all the needs of manufacturing and process industries, significantly lowering capital expenditure on installation, commissioning and maintenance. They offer unprecedented integration of automation, control, monitoring and safety systems using standardised and widely supported communications and networking solutions.

This seminar is ably presented by specialists from PI UK member companies. Attendance is free of charge to pre-registered delegates from the User community, i.e. companies that own, operate, design, build or maintain automated plant. The event will provide delegates with an excellent networking opportunity and the ability to speak to experts.

More information and online Registration

In case of difficulty contact Ann on tel: 00 44 207 193 8018 or email admin@profibus.org.uk

 

So much more to see at PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link seminar …

By
June 4, 2018
Events, Free Seminars, Industrial Internet of Things, IO-Link, News, PI UK News, Press Releases, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, PROFIsafe, Training

Don’t delay, Book Today!

Table-top exhibition to accompany PI UK seminar.

Taking place in Manchester on June 20, this free-to-attend seminar will be supported by an exhibition with live product demonstrations, making it of great value to Designers, Production/System Engineers, Instrument Technicians/Engineers and C&I Engineers involved in the design, operation and maintenance of modern automated factories and process plant.

The event addresses key practical issues arising from the use of digital communications technologies in automated manufacturing and process industry applications, with particular attention to Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Exhibitors include:

Here are a few examples of what will be on display:

iTech

iTech is an established control and automation system integration company. The company has over 20 years’ experience providing and supplying service requirements to the automation industry utilising PLC’s, HMI’s and SCADA’s. We also provide system design and software development, from conception through to installation and commissioning. www.itech-troon.co.uk

Belcom

Belcom Cables is a specialist supplier of industrial automation cables. As senior members of PROFIBUS UK they hold large stocks of PROFIBUS, PROFINET and fibre optic cables. Their Profi- cables are available with either solid or stranded conductors and either pvc or lszh outer sheaths. Available in softskin or with Belcom’s Dataguard SWA protection for harsh environments. Cables are both UV stable and colourfast. www.belcom.co.uk/

Industrial Comms

Industrial Communications will be showing a portfolio of products from Deutschmann, Softing, Belden-Hirschmann and Metz Connect. All the products and services on display will be of relevance to designers, implementers and operators of PROFIBUS and/or PROFINET networks, including embedded modules, connectors, cables, hubs, routers, gateways, fibre optic and wireless interfaces. Services include network design, installation, commissioning, validation, testing, monitoring and security auditing. www.industrialcomms.co.uk

Balluff will be showcasing the flexibility of IO-Link both for handling smart sensors and also for simplifying the wiring and installation of safety devices via our Profisafe over IO-Link module. Furthermore, we will also be demonstrating how it can be an ideal platform for Industry 4.0 based strategies. Balluff

WAGO will be demonstrating its PFC200 with PROFIBUS master, this also has the IO-Link gateway module connected with a Balluff ultrasonic sensor and light stack. Selection of interface and terminal product. Samples of new 6mm 221 connector. WAGO

PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link

With nearly 90 million nodes installed worldwide, PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link are truly market leaders, providing state of the art digital communications addressing all the needs of manufacturing and process industries, significantly lowering capital expenditure on installation, commissioning and maintenance. They offer unprecedented integration of automation, control, monitoring and safety systems using standardised and widely supported communications and networking solutions.

Covering key application areas such as mechanical handling and logistics, robotics, automotive engineering, electrical and electronics assembly, control systems and energy management, pulp & paper, chemical, utilities, pharmaceutical, packaging and printing, the event focuses on the practical aspects of using PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link, from system design and safety considerations through to fault-finding and maintenance.

More about the Seminar

This seminar is ably presented by specialists from PI UK member companies. Attendance is free of charge to pre-registered delegates from the User community, i.e. companies that own, operate, design, build or maintain automated plant. The event will provide delegates with an excellent networking opportunity and the ability to speak to experts.

Agenda (Registration and Coffee 8.45 am)

Time Item Presenter
09:15 – 09:30 Welcome and introduction to exhibitors Andy Smith, E+H
09:30 – 10:00 PROFIBUS International and basics of PROFIBUS and PROFINET Mark Freeman, Siemens
10:00 – 10:30 PROFIBUS DP/PA network design Chris McComb, iTech
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee and exhibition
11:00 – 11:30 PROFINET network design Andy Gilbert, Siemens
11:30 – 12:00 Industrial network commissioning and testing Dave Tomlin, Hitex
12:00 – 12:30 PROFIBUS and PROFINET device configuration tools.  Phil Waterworth, Endress + Hauser
12:30 – 13:00 Lunch and Exhibition or Facility tour
13:00 – 14:00 IO-Link technology Adrian Sorsby, Balluff
14:00 – 14:30 Industrial networks safety & security Ben Murphy, Siemens
14:30 – 15:00 Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Derek Lane, Wago
15:00 – 15:15 Summary, questions & close  Andy Smith, E+H
(Click here to see synopses of the presentations …)

More information and online Registration

In case of difficulty contact Ann on tel: 00 44 207 193 8018 or email admin@profibus.org.uk

 

PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link installed base continues to grow

By
May 11, 2018
IO-Link, Market Data, News, PI UK News, PROFIBUS, PROFIBUS PA, PROFINET, PROFINEWS, PROFIsafe

2017 PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link Node Count numbers released

The installed base of devices with interfaces of the communication technologies of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) continues its very strong overall market position. Against the background of Industry 4.0 incorporation into the automation of production systems, this is a clear sign of the acceptance of PI technologies in this innovative domain.

PROFINET

Profinet nodes 2017

Profinet nodes 2017

The development of PROFINET is very encouraging. In 2017, a record 4.5 million PROFINET devices were put on the market. This brought the total number to 20.9 million at the end of 2017, which represents an increase of 27.5% over the previous year.

PROFIBUS

2.3 million PROFIBUS devices were produced in 2017, only slightly fewer than the previous year. However, the total of 58.4 million devices across all years still represents a record.

PROFIsafe

Profisafe nodes 2017

Profisafe nodes 2017

The development of PROFIsafe is still very encouraging: with 1.95 million nodes put on the market, it has been able to achieve above-average growth again of nearly 28% and can now boast 8.9 million installed nodes.

IO-Link

IO-Link nodes 2017

IO-Link nodes 2017

IO-Link, in turn, experienced the largest increase of  52.8 % over the year in 2017. This brings the total number of installed IO-Link devices to more than 8.1 million.

 

PROFIsafe for OPC UA – new Working Group

By
April 24, 2018
News, OPC, PI UK News, Press Releases, PROFIsafe, System Safety and Security

More networking, more safety, more freedom – these somewhat contradictory requirements do not end at the most sensitive part of the machine network: functionally safe communication. This is a task that is best handled jointly.

Previously, functionally safe communication via a fieldbus or Industrial Ethernet was limited to purely Master-Slave or Controller-Device architectures. However, there is currently no cross-manufacturer standard for safe transfers between machines and thus between the controllers used in the machines. Therefore, controllers from different manufacturers cannot currently communicate with each other without additional action being taken. 

PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) and the OPC Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to start a Joint Working Group to ensure that PROFIsafe will function between controllers from different manufacturers in the future.

Click here to download the full article

IO-Link Wireless specification completed

By
April 17, 2018
IO-Link, News, Press Releases

IO-Link is the first technology for communicating with sensors and actuators below the fieldbus level to be adopted as an international standard (IEC 61131-9). This technology has now been expanded to include wireless communication.

The IO-Link community has completed work on the specifications for IO-Link Wireless and will publish an approved version at the 2018 Hanover Trade Show. IO-Link Wireless technology will be presented to the broader public in the form of a demonstration at the joint PI booth in Hanover, Germany (Hall 9, D687) for the first time.

IO-Link Wireless defines wireless communication between sensors/actuators and controllers (PLC) in the industrial automation environment. Performance, functionality and capacity are comparable to cable-bound solutions.

IO-Link Wireless offers real-time latency of 5 ms for communication with up to 40 devices (sensors and actuators). Reliability lies above a packet-error rate (PER) of 10-9, while the rates of other comparable wireless standards, such as WLAN, Bluetooth and Zigbee, are around 10-3. IO-Link Wireless supports roaming functions and the option of using battery-operated or energy-harvesting sensors with minimal energy consumption in a real-time network. A key feature of IO-Link Wireless is its compatibility with industry- and process-automation protocols. Planning, commissioning, operation and maintenance can all be carried out using standard IO-Link tools. This guarantees backward compatibility with cable-bound IO-Link systems.

In parallel with the specification work, the necessary test specifications and test scenarios needed when the first suppliers develop their components for the new system are already being defined in the IO-Link wireless working group. The IO-Link community will also be holding an IO-Link Wireless developer workshop at Helmut-Schmidt-Universität (HSU) in Hamburg, Germany in June of 2018. This workshop will enable interested device manufacturers to develop IO-Link Wireless components in a fast and straightforward way.

End

Press contact:                                                                                  

PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International)

PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e. V.

Barbara Weber

Haid-und-Neu-Strasse 7

D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany

Phone: +49 721 96 58 – 5 49

Fax: +49 721 96 58 – 5 89

Barbara.Weber@profibus.com

http://www.PROFIBUS.com

PI UK to present and exhibit at Connected Manufacturing 2018

By
April 16, 2018
Events, Exhibitions, News, PI UK News, UK Manufacturing

PROFIBUS & PROFINET International – PI UK is pleased to announce its support for Connected Manufacturing, part of Advanced Engineering 2018 which will take place at the NEC on 31 October/1st November.

“Connected Manufacturing 2017 was a great success, providing us with the ideal platform to present PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link. It was indeed a busy time for us, where we were able to meet, educate and inform many key buyers and specifiers from all over the UK during the two-day event”, said Bob Squirrell, Chairman, PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI UK).

“The exhibition and accompanying conference gave us the perfect opportunity to introduce these and show how they are fundamental to Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things by providing deterministic control, data access, and uptime in an open platform.

We are looking forward to continuing our support for the Connected Manufacturing exhibition and conference this year, as it the perfect vehicle for our members to show how PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link are the three most important enabling technologies in automation today.”

About Connected Manufacturing

Already expanding as a result of its highly successful 2017 launch, Connected Manufacturing is the UK’s largest trade show and forum bringing together manufacturers and suppliers of all sizes to further automate their planning, design, test, manufacturing and logistics processes – reducing costs and gaining more competitive advantage worldwide.

Members of PI UK are entitled to a 10% discount on stand prices

Check here for details.

 

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