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Ethernet-APL for End Users and Device Manufacturers – How to get Started
Ethernet-APL (Advanced Physical Layer) offers considerable benefits for end users in the process industry by facilitating seamless connectivity between field devices using the Ethernet protocol and greatly simplifying the creation of high-performance automation networks. Fast and safe implementation possible without having to build up extensive specialist knowledge about Ethernet-APL.
Benefits and potential of edge computing
Industrial edge computing can mean data are processed locally and never leave the site, or data can be forwarded for processing to a central platform. Hybrid systems with a mix of local and centralized data processing are the most common model used in practice but the key is potential advantages and benefits.
Secure and flexible IT-OT integration based on OPC UA
Data transfer plays an especially important role in the integration of the production and management domains, with the large number of variables, heterogeneous interfaces, rights management, and specific security requirements being just some of the key challenges faced in this context. A middleware based on OPC UA offers a particularly elegant approach to implementation here.
Data integration for the Industrial Internet of Things
IT architectures need to play a vital role in IIoT system architectures, with gateways evolving to provide more flexible, innovative and efficient software solutions. A key question is how network solutions can be deployed to exploit software, IT and innovative algorithms and make production more efficient.
Oilfield expansion with FF-expertise and optimized IT security
With the help of Softing's FG-200 gateway, the field level is connected via Foundation Fieldbus with little effort.
The Digital Bridge Builders
The digital transformation in the manufacturing industry is increasingly high on the agenda. For it to work, the OT and IT level must be much more closely interlinked than before. This is not only a technical challenge. openautomation talked to Frank Steinhoff, Managing Director of Softing Industrial Automation GmbH, on this topic.
From the cloud to the edge
What is the difference between cloud and edge computing and how they can work together for the successful implementation of IIoT solutions?
Using OPC UA and MQTT to access CNC controller data
Use of a gateway along with OPC UA and MQTT, can provide access to S7 controller machine tool data. This allows important spindle and axis data, such as torque and power consumption, to be read out, processed and become available for condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data logging or analysis tasks.
Smart devices leverage PROFINET and OPC UA
Smart devices provide operators not only with I/O data but also with a wealth of information about industrial plant operation. Information collected from field devices such as diagnostic data, status information on devices and specific device parameters can also help plan predictive maintenance programs.
IIoT for HART devices
Data from intelligent field devices helps in planning preventive maintenance work and helps to reduce downtime and lower maintenance costs. Before the plant operator can use them for process optimization, the data of all installed field devices must be made transparent and at the same time securely available.
Palm oil tank farms ready for digitalization
Direct integration of Profibus PA field level into Ethernet control systems has created transparency and consistency for a provider of palm oil tank farms. An integrated platform handles reporting and offers real-time transparency for total inventory management of both raw materials and finished goods.
Effective Plant Asset Management
In the spotlight: Softing joins Emerson’s DeltaV Alliance Product Program and extends intelligent device management across the field to islands of devices and out to the enterprise to remote subject matter experts.
Fieldbus Upgrade for HART Devices
Simple fieldbus integration without programming effort.
Mobile configuration of field devices in process industry
Digital, mobile, networked and standardized solutions are providing new connectivity for process control users to communicate via HART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Profibus PA.
Diagnostics solution raises condition monitoring to a new level
In order to even further increase system safety when handling magnesium, the light metal foundry Leichtmetallgießerei Handtmann has equipped four new die casting machines with the PROFINET diagnostics solution TH SCOPE and TH LINK by Softing Industrial Automation.
PROFIBUS Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting with PROFIBUS Tester 5 gets machine back to 100% capacity in less than one hour.
Fit also in old age
Even modern fieldbuses like PROFIBUS are unable to maintain their perfect post-installation condition indefinitely. Some “aging“ is inevitable and this could eventually lead to bus faults and costly production losses. These problems can be avoided by continuously monitoring the PROFIBUS networks. The Softing solution deployed at the Aschaffenburg paper mill delivers benefits that receive the “thumbs up” from its staff.
Interface at the touch of a button
Typically, implementing a PROFIBUS PA field device means developing custom hardware and device-specific software, requiring in-depth PROFIBUS knowledge. However, there is a simpler solution.
Full control of communication and diagnostics at Audi
PROFINET standards for diagnostics and management are suited for acceptance testing and continuous monitoring of the network, along with functionality to carry out maintenance tasks. The premium car manufacturer Audi uses PROFINET for a wide range of communication control and maintenance diagnostics.
Stress Release
N. R. Spuntech Industries in North Carolina, USA, relies on a solution from Softing Industrial Automation to monitor a production line for fleece fabrics. This application report describes the advantages of the TH LINK PROFIBUS hardware in combination with the TH SCOPE diagnostic software.
Now everything runs smoothly
The safety of a plant is at risk if the data communication does not function reliably. A wastewater treatment plant in Colorado was looking for a replacement for problematic gateways. The live test from two different suppliers revealed significant differences.
PROFINET diagnostics: flying blind or efficient maintenance? Part 2
The plant’s life cycle and users involved are key factors to determine the required set of diagnostic tools and functionality needed.
PROFINET diagnostics: flying blind or efficient maintenance? Part 1
Diagnosing problems with PROFINET networks and other TCP/IP-based Industrial Ethernet systems raises technological and organizational challenges.
HART-IP solution communicates at Ethernet speed
It will play an important role in the Internet of Things for process plants in the future
HART-IP can be run on Ethernet or WiFi, and enables vertical data integration for field devices all the way to the control room. Access to process variables allows support for device parameterization and advanced diagnostics. It will also play an important role in the Internet of Things for process plants in the future.
Fast Implementation of PROFIBUS PA Transmitters
Trends in process automation in recent years have been moving towards the use of digital fieldbuses.
Trends in process automation in recent years have been moving away from proprietary and analog communication technology, and towards the use of digital fieldbuses which have many advantages. One of the most important is the widely used PROFIBUS fieldbus with its PROFIBUS Process Automation (PA) application profile.
Double-Tube Tunnel Opens to Traffic
As part of the extension of the Pfändertunnel by a second tunnel tube, Evon GmbH was to bring the control technology and control room integration in the entire tunnel up to date. Due to the enormous amount of data to be transmitted, the Austrian company decided to use the Profibus-DP master stack from Softing.
Maximum Availability through Network Analysis
A breakdown of the fieldbus communication system can quickly become very expensive, particularly if it causes unplanned downtime of complex machinery like paper manufacturing facilities. The PROFIBUS Monitor (BC-502-PB) diagnostics tool for the continuous monitoring of PROFIBUS networks supports the early detection of potential failures.
Ethernet communication powers the steelworks
A PROFINET controller stack implementing Industrial Ethernet communications is the basis of an effective process control system for the steel manufacturer SSAB. The technology has provided an ability to deploy very large networks consisting of up to 150 field devices, including a number of drives, and operate at cycle times of 8 to 32 milliseconds even without exploiting the system's full performance potential.
Fast PROFINET device implementation in Windows
To fll the need for an implemented PROFINET interface in the automotive industry, Unglaube decided to integrate a PROFINET stack into their Data Matrix code reader system. The solution strengthens the company’s position in an important market, but also provides an excellent basis for future product innovations.
YTC goes FF
Young Tech Co., Ltd. (YTC), a leading positioner manufacturer in Korea, entered the growing fieldbus market when it rolled out a new FOUNDATION™ fieldbus (FF) H1 device: the YT-2500 Smart Valve Positioner. Fully certified, the new device provides a full range of FF functionalities. Thanks to Softing Industrial Automation’s FBK-2 Fieldbus Kit, the Korean technology pioneer was able to reduce development costs significantly
Harnessing Green Energy
FOUNDATION™ fieldbus: Control in the Field helps Nicaragua achieve its aggressive renewable energy agenda.
Foundation fieldbus right to the point
Following the market requirements, BIFFI, a manufacturer of valve actuators for petro-chemical applications decided to implement the Foundation fieldbus H1 communication protocol for its electric actuator ICON2000.
