Industrial network devices get diagnostic, connectivity upgrades
Brad automation products from Molex get diagnostic and communications enhancements for applications in factory automation, process control and complex machines.
Molex Incorporated enhanced several Brad automation products, including diagnostic tools and communications products for factory automation, process control and complex machines.
Molex eliminated the software licensing fee for the Profibus Communication Device Type Manager (CommDTM). The software is now free and available for download. The SST Profibus CommDTM enables applications that adhere to the FDT standard to easily access field devices on a Profibus DP/PA network. The SST CommDTM uses Rockwell RSLinx to connect SST Profibus modules plugged into the controller chassis. The system supports up to 16x DP-V1 simultaneous requests and can be used in parallel with DP acyclic commands sent by a Ladder logic application of the Rockwell Logix CPU. SST Profibus CommDTM is FDT certified and has been tested with leading FDT frame applications including FactoryTalk AssetCentre, PACTware and FieldCare and others. Additional features include:
- DTM Scan List and DTM Station Address Assignment
- List of stations on the network to automatically detect Profibus DP devices
- Profibus Station Address Assignment to set a Profibus device slave address
- Expert Parameters for timing customization where HART Devices are connected to Profibus remote I/O
The SST Remote DeviceNet Scanner now includes support for Microsoft Windows 7 (64 bit) and Microsoft Windows CE. It has also undergone DeviceNet ODVA conformance. The product controls I/O devices connected to a DeviceNet network without consuming a PC slot. DIN rail mountable, several SST Remote DeviceNet Scanners can be connected via Ethernet to a PC. The PC can then be used to access/control all DeviceNet I/Os on the network as well as remotely access diagnostic information. The I/O update rate of the SST Remote DeviceNet Scanner is typically faster than a PC-based card on most PC bus systems. For those users wanting to move from using SST DeviceNet network interface cards to the SST Remote DeviceNet Scanner, the DLL is backward compatible, allowing preservation of the customer’s existing investment.
The eNetMeter Portable Test Unit (PTU) bundles eNetMeter hardware and NetAlytix software and a 24 V dc power supply and quick connections to DeviceNet and EtherNet/IP in a hardened industrial case. The eNetMeter PTU has now obtained cULus and EN/IEC 60950-1 Approval. The Brad NetAlytix v2 software makes it easier to quickly access DeviceNet signal issues using the network status tree and CAN waveform viewer. Additionally, faceplates are available for the Rockwell Automation PanelView family of human machine interface products that allow quick access to specific data collected from the network by the eNetMeter DN.
Molex Incorporated
- Edited by Chris Vavra, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com
See the Network Channel at controleng.com/networks
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