by Gary Mintchell | Dec 15, 2014 | Automation, Industrial Computers, Security, Technology
I have seen several industrial control systems entrants into the North American market. All thought they’d knock off market-leader Rockwell Automation. Several are still around. They have build nice businesses. They have not displaced Rockwell as the dominant PLC in the market.
But…Is there a vulnerability?
I recently heard from Bob Honor. I’ve known him for years. The last I had talked with him, he was given the unenviable task of organizing a sales force to sell MES solutions for Rockwell.
He has left Rockwell to co-found a new Industrial Control Systems (ICS) supplier. This platform is designed from the ground up as a secure platform. Rethinking the entire ICS paradigm, the Bedrock Automation team has built what it is calling a “new epoch of industrial automation.”
If you go to the Website and sign up for the email newsletter, I believe you will get a link to download a whitepaper that goes into some depth to explain the new design.
Here’s the introduction to the paper, “This white paper is the first in a series to outline a new epoch of industrial automation. All aspects of control system reliability, security and lifecycle cost have been rethought from first principles. The result is a new ICS platform we call Open Secure Automation. OSA delivers a user-centric renaissance of improved reliability, embedded security and lower cost.”
There are many interesting ideas in the platform and design. Perhaps I can get Bob or an engineer on the phone for a podcast interview after the first of the year. [Note: At no time did he tell me he was displacing Rockwell.]
Other competitors were (or thought they were) better, faster, cheaper at the same game.
Bedrock is attempting to change the game. Check it out and send me your thoughts. Is this enough of a game changer to disrupt the industry? For sure, I’ll be keeping an eye on developments.
by Gary Mintchell | Dec 10, 2014 | Automation, Internet of Things, M2M, Manufacturing IT, Motion Control, Networking, News, Operations Management, Organizations, Technology
Here is announcement that foretells significant impact on industrial Ethernet and potentially all the suppliers. I bet it’s also an alliance that you’ve never heard of. Think audio-visual for AV. The AVnu Alliance has launched work on an open standard for deterministic Ethernet creating capability for standard Ethernet to meet the needs of industrial market while embracing the future promise of IoT. As I understand it, this work feeds back into the IEEE standards. Even more significant.
As I chatted with Todd Walter of National Instruments, Dan Sexton of GE, and Paul Didier of Cisco, I began to envision a standards-base, open technology that can be implemented in what will become standard Ethernet silicon. Let your imagination work for a minute. This could be a significant advance.
[Note: I’ve asked for feedback from a couple of suppliers. I’m sure that I’ll get some comments after the digest the information and construct a response.]
The group notes that standard Ethernet continues to expand its range, functionality and applications with the evolution of the Audio Video Bridging (AVB) standard into Time Sensitive Networking (TSN). The new capabilities of TSN provide the Industrial community with the ability to use standard Ethernet to support highly reliable and precise synchronized networking appropriate for industrial control.
New AVnu members
With the expansion into the Industrial Control market, AVnu Alliance announced three new members, Belden, with its Hirschmann, Tofino Security, GarrettCom and Lumberg Automation brands, is a global leader of mission-critical industrial network infrastructure; General Electric, global leaders in creating an electrical infrastructure with advanced technologies to safely and reliably distribute, protect and control electricity; and National Instruments, a leading test, measurement and embedded systems provider for engineers and scientists. These companies, as leaders in the industrial, automation and IT infrastructure space, are driving forces in the recent expansion, working within the Alliance to develop the foundational elements needed for industrial applications, based on the common elements of AVB/TSN. The industrial segment is also supported by existing AVnu Alliance members such as Broadcom, Cisco, Intel, Interval Zero, Marvell, Micrel, Vitesse, Xilinx and XMOS.
Supporting quotes
“It is incredibly important for GE to support and stay up to date on the evolving open standards in the industrial control market. Since AVnu Alliance is the only community consortium driving the expansion of AVB and TSN standards, we are excited to join and offer our expertise to the efforts,” said John Garrity, Product Line Leader for General Electric Intelligent Platforms. “AVnu certification will ensure interoperability across multi-vendor solutions and our continued contribution to the TSN standards will help us deliver the next generation of reliable networked products to our customers. We are excited to join AVnu Alliance and contribute to the workgroups as the Alliance expands into this new market and continues to build on the open standards that are currently evolving. Our work with TSN better enables our customers to easily and rapidly create innovative next generation control systems transmitting real time traffic.”
“IEEE and AVnu Alliance’s work to bring open standards to industrial applications provides a great venue to amplify Belden’s long history of standards work, and we recognize the immense value open standards offer to our customers,” said Andreas Dreher, Strategic Technology Manager at Belden. “TSN technology shows promise to be the core technology for high-end industrial Ethernet communications in the future, solving challenges faced by our customers in demanding, high-performance and high-precision industries, like motion control, robotics and high-speed manufacturing. Our plan for joining with the Alliance aligns well with our long-standing work in bringing innovation, standardization and awareness to the industrial market for new and emerging open standards.”
“TSN promises through standard silicon to converge the previously disparate technologies needed for standard Ethernet communication, for deterministic high speed data transfer, and for high accuracy time synchronization. These developments will create a common foundation that will impact numerous applications and markets ranging from machine control and asset monitoring to test cells and vehicle control. Key technology and equipment providers to the industrial market are supporting the effort. National Instruments is happy to collaborate within the solid ecosystem that AVnu Alliance is building,” said Mike Santori, Vice President, Product Marketing, National Instruments.
The Alliance notes, “Standard Ethernet is evolving to enable next generation control systems. This will allow convergence of low latency control traffic and standard Ethernet traffic on the same network for demanding applications like multi-axis motion control, providing a foundation for more advanced manufacturing and production models where data can be shared more flexibly between layers of the control system and where Internet of Things (IoT) technology can be applied into production environments. The new capabilities of these open standards enable high-speed closed loop control networks to support any Ethernet device using standard IT components and creates the needed foundation for IoT integration with industrial production.”
“As a founding member of AVnu Alliance, Intel is committed to advancing open standards that deliver time-sensitive communication” said Anthony Neal-Graves, Vice President, Internet of Things Group, Intel. “This is particularly important for cyber-physical-systems where multiple compute nodes cooperate to control physical systems ranging from industrial robots to autonomous vehicles and smart buildings. Intel has been a leader in this industry for more than two decades and we look forward to seeing the new opportunities TSN will bring to our customers.”
The Alliance has previously announced support for TSN in automotive applications such as drive-by-wire and autonomous driving. The Industrial market, which parallels work that AVnu Alliance members have been doing in the Automotive segment, is a $150 billion a year market space and creates a pathway to the future of IoT.
“This new segment is very exciting for the Alliance. Adding new members who are from this space and the evolution of the standards makes AVnu Alliance and Time Sensitive Networking poised for rapid growth in this market. As a founding member, Cisco’s contribution to AVnu Alliance will help guide the expansion and the standards work being done within the industrial segment,” said Kip Compton, VP and General Manager of the Internet of Things (IoT) Systems and Software group, Cisco. “AVnu Alliance remains dedicated to its core work in professional audio and video, consumer electronics and automotive. Broad market expansion of AVB/TSN with wide deployment will only benefit all members and markets – both from a cost perspective as well as assuring long-term support for the capabilities in standard components.”
“As a founding member of AVnu Alliance, Broadcom has been involved in the support of a variety of evolving market segments and expansion into the industrial control space is the next natural move for the Alliance,” said Nicholas Ilyadis, Broadcom CTO, Infrastructure & Networking Group. “As the industrial market continues to expand, AVnu Alliance will become an important driver in the interoperability and certification of networked devices and ensuring the deployment of reliable solutions in global markets.”
AVnu Alliance is responsible for guiding the specification for new applications to simplify the process for engineers and designers to build products. AVnu Alliance has created an Industrial Advisory Council for manufacturers and end users to learn more about the Alliance and the standards.
by Gary Mintchell | Dec 9, 2014 | Automation, Industrial Computers, Internet of Things, Networking, Operations Management, Technology
Advantech announced at its Embedded World Partner Conference (WPC) that it would collaborate with Microsoft to build Asia’s first IoT WISE-Cloud (Wireless IoT Solutions Embedded, WISE) platform. Advantech and Microsoft will jointly develop solutions and products intended for the Internet of Things (IoT) with the aim of establishing a cloud application model.
Chaney Ho, Advantech President, said that in recent years, the applications for IoT have been widely established in people’s daily lives and work. Advantech not only established “Enabling an Intelligent Planet” as its corporate vision in 2012, it has been fully engaged in the development of Smart City and IoT technology from the beginning. In the course of its evolution, Advantech found that the embedded board is at the core IoT and so the development of all types of intelligent systems could naturally be realized for a diverse range of fields.”
Chaney further stated that Advantech is deepening its concept of the traditional IoT 3I (Instrumented, Interconnected and Intelligent) concept to develop an IoT cloud platform called WISE-Cloud by using comprehensive wireless networking technology. Moreover, in order to fully perceive the information collected (data) and then convert it into service and effectively apply it to business intelligence, Advantech collaborated with Microsoft at the Platform as a Service (PaaS) layer through the use of Advantech’s SusiAccess and Microsoft Azure.
Miller Chang, vice president of Advantech Embedded Core Computing Group stated, “WISE-Cloud cooperation by Advantech and Microsoft not only enhances enterprise management efficiency but also integrates various cloud service applications. In addition, there will be synergy through the various integrated cloud services, especially when used in business intelligence after data analysis.”
“Big data analytics and machine learning have created more possibilities for business application. Microsoft Azure provides computing and analysis service in the context of the Internet of Things and enables the IoT industry to move toward the intelligent industry via machine learning,” said Roan Kang, General Manager of M&O, Microsoft Taiwan. “The strategic alliance between Advantech and Microsoft Taiwan allows Advantech to use Microsoft Azure cloud platform to process comprehensive data gathered from SUSIAccess solutions. Moreover, by introducing machine learning as a service, Advantech can leverage the IoT to enable smart, value-added business applications, creating more business opportunities. This collaboration not only demonstrates that the combination of the IoT and cloud computing has reached a new milestone but creates a synergistic effect for both parties. Microsoft will provide consulting services to help the establishment of the WISE-Cloud platform while joining hands with Advantech to expand the global reach of the IoT application.”
Steve Teixeira, Director of Microsoft Program Management IoT Operating System Group, said: “Embracing IoT enables business to become truly data-driven in their decision making. Businesses can gain enormous new insights by ingesting device telemetry into the cloud, combining it with other relevant enterprise and industry data sets, and feeding it all into a rich analytics pipeline. As companies mature in their mastery of IoT, we them transition from operational efficiency gains through improved insights to competitive advantage through predictive analytics to business transformation by discovering new revenue opportunities in IoT.”
Enabling Technologies
Networking, especially Ethernet, is a backbone technology platform for the IoT. Advantech also plays in that market recently unveiling its ProView series of SCADA manageable Ethernet switches which are the convergence switches for process control and IT networking management.
The ProView range of switches use Modbus/TCP to communicate with the SCADA software and SNMP that communicates with the NMS (Networking Management System) at the same time, thereby allowing full read control over the devices either from control engineers or for IT administrator.
The ProView series of Ethernet switches come with fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet and a variety of ports. The port-based QoS VIP port for deterministic data transmission allow the priority ports to control the data traffic for process control by tightening delay/jitter times. This is especially useful for process control networking such as I/O scanning data will be sent out ahead of other traffic (even if it has been received after the other traffic) through prioritization applied by VIP port connected to embedded computing.
To further enhance the benefits of the ProView series Ethernet switches, the highest quality components are used to enable an operating temperature range of -40 to 75°C along with EMS Level-3 protection to repel electromagnetic interface for industrial resistance therefore the ProView series of Ethernet switches are able to provide industrial grade reliability in the harshest of environments.
by Gary Mintchell | Dec 5, 2014 | Automation, Networking
I’m not a Modbus scanner expert, but this new industrial networks product came to me from a friend I trust. Looks interesting.
Precision Digital Corp., global supplier of digital panel meters and control instrumentation celebrating its 40th year in business, announced the Vantageview PD6730X Modbus Scanner. The PD6730X is a rugged, NEMA 4X/IP65 Modbus master, slave, or snooper (sniffer). The multi-purpose PD6730X is designed for accurate display of and quick access to information, locally or remotely, in wet or dirty environments.
It can accept up to 16 individually programmed process variables (PVs) from multiple devices; four math channels allow for calculations on multiple PVs. The SafeTouch through-window buttons allow operation without removing the cover. The pulse input accepts a wide range of flow transmitter signals, including mV input from a magnetic flowmeter, as well as high frequency signals. The PD6730X includes backlighting, two open collector outputs, and an analog output as standard.
“The versatile Vantageview PD6730X is loaded with features that plant operators can appreciate,” said Jeffrey Peters, President, Precision Digital. “It is simple to program using our free ScanView EX software, displays critical information about the process, and can be seen from wide angles and a distance. The PD6730X is designed for readability and ease of use, from large character and Feet & Inches displays to automatic rate conversions and data logging. Plus, it integrates easily into existing Modbus networks.”
The PD6730X Decimal Display models feature an upper display that is 0.7 inches high and shows five digits of information; the Feet & Inches models feature a level display that reads up to 399 feet, 11 and 15/16 inches and contains a 20-segment tank level indicator. The lower display for both models is 0.4 inches high, with seven alphanumeric characters, for Process Variables, Custom Units, or Tags. The bright LCD display is easily read under varying lighting conditions and from viewing angles of up to +/- 40 degrees (twice that of competitive models); it can also be rotated in 90-fdegree increments for increased readability.
Four sensors in the PD6730X operate as through-window buttons for programming and operation without removing the cover in wet or dirty areas.
These SafeTouch buttons include an energy saving mode to save power, extend battery life, and prevent unintended triggers.
The PD6730X provides flexible power options, including battery, DC with battery backup, DC only, output-loop, or output loop with battery backup. Its element-resistant enclosure provides three threaded conduit holes and integrated pipe or wall mounting holes. Operating temperatures range from -40 to 75 degrees C.
by Gary Mintchell | Dec 4, 2014 | Automation, Motion Control
Technosoft,
based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, has released the first member of its iMOT line of motors with integrated motion controller and drive — the iMOT172S XM-CAN intelligent stepless motor.
The product is based on a cost-effective hybrid step motor on which the motion control specialists at Technosoft have integrated a magnetic encoder, together with a member of their powerful iPOS motion controllers, into a very compact package (42 x 42 x 70 mm).
The design is made, for high reliability, with only one PCB incorporating the encoder and the iPOS controller that utilizes the Technosoft MotionChip technology and provides 7 I/Os. The configuration, tuning and local programming of the iPOS drive can easily be done using Technosoft’s powerful graphical platform, EasyMotion Studio. The position sensor is absolute single-turn, providing 4096 counts per revolution for accurate speed and position control, down to 5 arc minutes.
While an EtherCAT version is under preparation, the current release covers two CAN versions: the standard CANopen, in accordance to the CiA 301, 305 and 402 profiles, and the TMLCAN protocol. TML (Technosoft Motion Language) opens the possibility to use the powerful motion controller, allowing it to operate as an independent intelligent device. As an example, any homing routine can be customized to match the application needs. Standalone single- or multi-axis applications with communication between drives without the need of a CAN master are possible, while various types of CAN masters are as well supported through an extended set of Technosoft Motion Control Libraries.
This intelligent stepless motor reaches a peak torque of 500 mNm at 1000 rpm without a gearbox, achieved from a motor with a square flange of 42 mm. The maximum length of the integrated unit is a mere 70 mm. The high efficiency of the solution is obtained due to Technosoft’s implementation of current and torque vector regulation under a field oriented control method (FOC) that practically transforms the motor into a stepless servo motor, dramatically reducing the current consumption and heat dissipation typical to hybrid steppers.
The standard NEMA17 flange ensures multiple sources of gearheads that are available for fitting to the motor, depending on the requirements of the application.
An intelligent motor can be used in many applications, but it has been developed for medical analysis and dosing machines, pick and place and welding robots, instrumentation and optical equipment, unmanned military vehicles, packaging, bottling and labeling machines.
Intelligent Motion Control Drive
It has also rele
ased the iPOS3604 HX-CAN—a closed frame intelligent drive offering a very compact solution for sinusoidal or trapezoidal position, speed and torque control of rotary or linear DC Brushless and open-loop or closed-loop control of 2-phase and 3-phase step motors requiring power up to 144 watts. The supply voltage range is 12 to 36 VDC with a continuous current of 4 A, (10 A peak) and a PWM frequency of 20 KHz.
This high performance servo drive offers high level single or multiple-axis control functions such as master, slave or standalone operations in a small package of only 80 x 55 x 16 mm. Although extremely compact, iPOS3604 HX embeds motion controller, drive and PLC functionality in one unit.
iPOS3604 HX can operate as a CiA402 CANopen drive, or can be programmed to execute complex motion programs directly at drive level, using their built-in motion controller and the high level Technosoft motion language (TML).Thanks to the TML instruction set, the iPOS3604 HX is an intelligent drive, programmable at user’s level and offering position and speed profiles, PVT & PT interpolated, electronic gearing and cam, external reference: analogue or sent via a communication bus.
The configuration, tuning and programming of the iPOS3604 HX-CAN drive is easy with Technosoft’s powerful graphical platform, EasyMotion Studio. System configuration and parameterization are performed by selecting and testing the system structure, motor and sensor types and control mode.
Flexibility and easy implementation make the iPOS3604 BX-CAN drives an ideal solution to fulfilling today’s motion axis control needs, using modern distributed intelligence architecture.
