Fieldbus linking devices for plant-wide process control
New Foundation Fieldbus Linking Devices strengthen Rockwell Automation communication portfolio for plantwide process control.
Two new linking devices from Rockwell Automation provide PlantPAx process automation system users with connectivity to Foundation Fieldbus devices. The Allen-Bradley 1788-EN2FFR and 1788-CN2FFR linking devices provide a direct link from EtherNet/IP or ControlNet networks to the Foundation Fieldbus H1 device-level network, making the integration of Foundation Fieldbus devices intuitive and seamless, the company said.
"The Foundation Fieldbus standard is a popular choice among many process industry companies because of the wiring, commissioning and support savings a digital network offers,” explained Graham Proctor, product manager, Rockwell Automation. “With these linking devices, PlantPAx system users can access data for improved diagnostics, troubleshooting, maintenance and uptime.”
The 1788-EN2FFR and 1788-CN2FFR linking devices offer simplified setup into RSLogix 5000 software from Rockwell Automation, thanks to an Add-On-Profile (AOP) and auto-configure tool. The auto-configure tool helps save hours of setup time by applying the most frequently used configuration, while the AOP provides a graphical environment for more detailed field device configuration. In addition, the AOP provides built-in diagnostics, including information on network voltages and currents, internal temperature, and device status, which also can be viewed directly from the on-device display, simplifying troubleshooting for plant operators. A built-in webserver also provides remote access to network and field device data.
Both devices support up to 16 field devices on a single H1 segment and feature multiple redundancy configurations, including redundant linking devices, H1 media, ControlNet media, and EtherNet/IP Device-Level Ring. No external software or user licenses are required for operation, and each device features a built-in power conditioner, which minimizes the equipment’s installed footprint.
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2012 Salary Survey
In a year when manufacturing continued to lead the economic rebound, it makes sense that plant manager bonuses rebounded. Plant Engineering’s annual Salary Survey shows both wages and bonuses rose in 2012 after a retreat the year before.
Average salary across all job titles for plant floor management rose 3.5% to $95,446, and bonus compensation jumped to $15,162, a 4.2% increase from the 2010 level and double the 2011 total, which showed a sharp drop in bonus.