It's a phenomenon: While most fieldbuses have more or less vanished, Profibus is not only still around but seems to have become stronger over the past decade with its range of application continually increasing. Thus, the demand for information continues to be high. A 'slide set' is supposed to convey detailed know-how.
In every system with pluggable connections, connecting and disconnecting are weak spots. While a wrong power connection usually shows up soon with some system failure or other, defective data connections are more difficult to diagnose. In case you've been wondering why there are still new types of connectors being developed and existing ones improved: it definitely makes sense.
Machines with moving parts or even moving machines require specially constructed bus connections, often complex and expensive control cabinets and terminal boxes. Getting rid of those makes it neccessary to employ extremely rugged I/O modules.
While Linux as an operating system is long-established in the embedded and automation markets, the integration of new features into such "hardened" OS's can take quite some time. The new version of ELinOS closes the gap on main kernel development and brings some specialties into industrial environments.
Even heavy loads need to be moved efficiently and with precision. Many industrial automation systems have to combine sophisticated control electronics with robust weight handling which drives electric motors to their limits. A new electric axis acts is suitable for the hard labor.
While industrial automation in general has just made the move towards ccompany-independent standards, new concepts like cloud computing seem to be almost too revolutionary for this industry. As a consequence, equipment providers tread softly and integrate new technology with caution. Why not hide a cloud in an M2M-Platform?
Plant infrastructures in many industries have been working more or less unchanged for years, sometimes decades. While modern industrial communication systems could improve internal processes, a recent analysis from Frost&Sullivan states a conservative attitude toward the implementation of new technologies.
As automation drives are continuously becoming smaller and more powerful at the same time, the need for thermal management increases. A new motor series offers individual application-specific cooling methods.
While IEEE 802.11n has been adopted and established quite rapidly in consumer products and PC systems and the next, even faster standard is about to come soon, industrial automation lags behind a bit. Now, the practical problems of security and safety have been solved and corresponding products are ready for deployment.
Are fieldbuses really dead? Quite possible, but they are still twitching. A modernized approach to device management in a bus structure throughout all areas of an industrial plant is FDI - Field Device Integration. The industry alliance behind it is working on IEC standardization, and this week's Achema trade show is a step on the way.
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