Rockwell DF1 serial protocol support added to
the Anybus® CommunicatorTM serial gateway family

HMS has added support for DF1 communication into the entire range of Anybus Communicator gateways. Thanks to this implementation, users can benefit from a simple and straight-forward way of connecting industrial devices which support DF1 to all major industrial fieldbus and industrial Ethernet networks used in today´s automation systems. Devices include e.g. Rockwell/Allen Bradley PLC-5, SLC-500, MicroLogix among others. Supporting conversion from DF1 to 14 industrial networks including DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP  ControlNet, Modbus/TCP, Profibus-DP, ProfiNet and CANopen, Anybus Communicator becomes a powerful tool for anyone aiming to integrate devices which support DF1 communication into other architectures.

The DF1 protocol support is provided through the ABC Config Tool software from HMS which is included free of charge with the Communicator gateways. No programming skills, expensive hardware changes or PLC function blocks are required in order to start using the Communicator range of products with DF1 devices,
since the connection to industrial networks from DF1 devices is made through a simple configuration procedure in ABC Config Tool.

Furthermore, thanks to its selectable serial RS-232/422/485-interface, users can choose between connecting one or several DF1 devices to Anybus Communicator allowing complete flexibility on site when connecting devices like barcode readers, RFID scanners, weigh scales, drives and motor starters from various vendors.

Well-established on the market, Anybus Communicator gateways are proven and trusted by all leading PLC manufacturers including Allen Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi, ABB, Omron, Hitachi, Beckhoff, Phoenix Contact and Bosch Rexroth, as well as leading System Integrators and End Users all over the world.

For further information, contact  Michela Nalin, e-mail: min@hms.se or view website: www.anybus.com   Refer to page 103

Industrial communication goes wireless

The new Anybus® Wireless Bridge from HMS is a solution for extending industrial Ethernet networks with wireless communication. The solution makes it possible to connect industrial devices running Profinet, EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP, over a wireless connection.

With the Anybus Wireless Bridge, HMS takes industrial Ethernet communication into the wireless age. Just as the name suggests, the product is a wireless bridge between two points in an industrial Ethernet network. It can also be used to connect devices to an existing wireless infrastructure.

Solving problems for system integrators
By connecting industrial devices and networks over a wireless link, the Anybus Wireless Bridge makes life easier for system integrators and network designers needing to create connections through hazardous areas, hard-to-reach locations, or moving installations where cables are not desirable. The Wireless Bridge is compatible with the major industrial Ethernet standards Profinet, EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP, and provides users with a robust and maintenance-free wireless connection.

"We see an emerging need on the market for industrial-quality wireless communication," comments Henrik Arleving, Product Line Manager, Remote Management at HMS. "Wireless technology is nowadays very reliable and it is becoming more and more accepted on the industrial automation market. The Anybus Wireless Bridge provides a simple solution to complicated connectivity problems and is yet another step in our efforts to make industrial networking easier."

How it works
Anybus Wireless Bridge allows industrial Ethernet based equipment to be connected via wireless technology and makes it possible to bridge protocols such as Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, etc. over a distance of up to 400 meters (open air range).

Wireless transmission is made via Bluetooth or WLAN technology. While the WLAN solution provides higher bandwidth thanks to a wider frequency range of the transmitted wireless signals, the Bluetooth solution offers an even more reliable and noise immune wireless link since Bluetooth switches between different frequencies.

HMS Industrial Networks in profile
HMS Industrial Networks is the leading independent supplier of embedded network technology for automation devices. HMS develops and manufactures solutions for interfacing automation devices to industrial networks. Development and manufacturing takes place at the head office in Halmstad, Sweden. Local sales and support is provided by the HMS branch offices in Chicago, Beijing, Karlsruhe, Milan, Mulhouse and Tokyo. HMS employs over 150 people and reported sales of €33 million in 2008. HMS was formed in 1988 and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm in the category Small Cap, Information Technology with ISIN SE0002136242. For further information view website: www.anybus.com/products/wireless_bridge.shtml  Refer to page 103

Consistent communication interfaces for Baldor

Baldor Electric Company has upgraded its range of smart drives with HMS. This range is now able to communicate with a PLC, it is much more open to communication standards and its communication interfaces are consistent throughout the entire range.

"We wanted to develop enhanced versions of our MotiFlex e100 three-phase drive ranges, able to communicate with any PLC and to comply more easily with industry Fieldbus systems. To do this, our strategy was to use a standardised solution rather than develop these interfaces in-house We decided to do this because time to market was critical and because it is not our core competence to do that. But, we found a higher added value than expected in the HMS solutions" explains David Greensmith, Product manager at Baldor´s UK motion control centre.

Baldor's e100 AC drives, suitable for use in standalone motion control systems or networked systems, are now compatible with the Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP and Powerlink industrial standards. Offering economic and space-saving solutions for many common single-axis automation requirements, the drives also feature an Ethernet interface compatible with the deterministic Ethernet-compatible motion control standard, Powerlink. The versatile drives may be used to control rotary and linear servo motors, linear motors, closed-loop vector motors, and in V/Hz control modes.

Baldor Electric Company has upgraded its range of smart drives with HMS.

"This system is one of the very first of its kind: it integrates CANopen, it offers Real time Ethernet and it is highly adaptable to communication standards. Now, our new range provides system builders with a universal drive platform that can be used in many different ways to suit different customers and applications, from standalone motion control systems to networked systems hosted by PLCs or other devices. This solution simplifies automation for food, labelling, packaging, electronics, printing wood/metalworking and more", adds David Greensmith.

The embedded Mint Lite capability is now being fitted without charge on all of Baldor's MicroFlex e100 and MotiFlex e100s. It supports a range of basic motion programming requirements including performing relative and absolute moves, S-ramp profiles, jog and homing movements, changing target positions on the fly, registration moves, and reacting to real-time trigger events. The programming facility allows standalone drives to provide solutions for many common automation and machinery tasks such as cutting or feeding to length, indexing axes, simple pick and place motion, and machine adjustments such as changing guides or backstops to reconfigure machinery for new batches. This capability is especially useful in Fieldbus interfacing, creating adaptability for the user to choose to use a standard drive control interface or optimise the process data and behaviour for the application.

Flexible, consistent and open communication modules. "The HMS Anybus advantage is that it provides a unified interface. The consistency of their range of product is unique. Thus, our engineering costs are reduced. We have the same kind of product for all different fieldbuses", explains David Greensmith.

"We have studied the offers of 2 or 3 vendors, but in the end, the HMS solution was more consistent and more standardized. The HMS solutions were also very compact. It was a key issue for the smallest sizes of our drive range. Anybus-CC, the solution we have implemented, is also very simple to install".

Anybus CompactCom (Anybus-CC) module is intended for OEM. It provides instant connectivity to all leading fieldbus, industrial Ethernet protocols, serial, USB and wireless networks without the need for any hardware and software changes to your automation device. Automation devices with an integrated Anybus-CC slot can use any Anybus-CC module. One module for a given network can simply be exchanged with another dedicated Anybus-CC module and be instantly connected to that network without the need for hardware and software changes in the automation device. Anybus-CC enables savings of up to 70% on development costs compared with in-house development. Standardized hardware and software interface independent of the network.

"Another key issue was to allow for much more flexible communication with PLCs. Thanks to HMS our drives could be controlled with a PLC, using industry standards. With HMS we can interface with all major fieldbuses. As well as their own local input/output (I/O) and Canopen expansion, our drives also have option-card slots, providing configurability for specific applications including using Anybus-CC." concludes David Greensmith.

For further information, view website: http://www.baldormotion.com/products/servodrives/overview.asp  e-mail: min@hms.se or view website: www.anybus.com  Refer to page 103