Industrial networks: Free membership upgrade offered

The Mechatrolink Members Association (MMA) is offering its Regular Member package for free until March 31, 2012, which is good for an entire year thereafter, the group said.

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The Mechatrolink Members Association (MMA) announced a membership drive with significant benefits for prospective members. Any end user, machine builder, robot builder, systems integrator or supplier of motion control systems and equipment can join the MMA as a Regular Member for free. Membership confers a number of benefits, chief among them preferred access to the fast-growing motion control markets of China and other parts of Asia.

Entry Level membership has always been free, but this drive allows companies to join at a higher grade of membership—as a Regular Member—with added benefits. An annual Regular Membership in MMA normally costs $1,500, but until March 31, 2012, it’s free. The free membership is good until March 31, 2013, at which point it can renewed on annually.

A Regular membership allows members to purchase Mechatrolink ASIC chips and sample kits, submit their products for certification test, and introduce and advertise their product on the Mechatrolink website. Regular members can also participate in subcommittees and general meetings, make technical inquiries by email and telephone, and receive product development support.

Mechatrolink is the most widely used motion control network in Asia, and is steadily gaining ground in the US. Mechatrolink connects devices such as servo motors, servo amps and I/O to each other and to motion controllers such as PLCs, PACs and motion controllers. Mechatrolink is available in both RS-485 and Ethernet versions, operates at speeds up to 100 Mbps, and can support up to 62 simultaneous devices.

Mechatrolink Members Association (MMA)

http://www.mechatrolink.org/en/join/campain2011-12.html 

- Edited by Chris Vavra, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com 

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