Milwaukee, WI— To help manufacturers improve uptime by using existing DeviceNet infrastructures for cost-effective plant-floor connectivity, Rockwell Automation introduced Aug. 20 its Entek XM Series, which it reports is the industry's first modular and open distributed machine monitoring and protection system. Consisting of a network of intelligent modules, XM Series continuously monitors and protects plant-floor machinery and equipment. Information gathered allows maintenance personnel to identify developing faults in the equipment, and then correct them before production is impacted or safety is compromised.