Applying industrial Ethernet

Selecting industrial networking protocols, industrial Ethernet included, helps improve production efficiency and quality with enterprise connectivity, although Ethernet of the industrial kind requires specialty knowledge and practices beyond Ethernet for home and office. When installing or operating an industrial Ethernet network, there are five need-to know essentials about cabling, signal quality, ground loops, switches, and traffic.

Case studies provide examples on how industrial Ethernet can be applied. Saugatuck Brewing used industrial Ethernet to help expand beer output fourfold in two years. A newly designed packaging machine from VC999 Packaging Systems uses a Gigabit Ethernet bus network.

For many applications of TCP/IP networking, the 100-meter range limit of copper Ethernet cable becomes a problem. Five methods can extend Ethernet networks, some more than 9 miles.

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, Control Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com.

Link to the articles below, summarized in the print and digital edition cover story, appearing in full via the links provided.

Industrial network integration improves productivity

Selecting industrial networking protocols, industrial Ethernet included, helps improve production efficiency and quality, with enterprise connectivity. Connectorized networking decreases repair time to minutes from hours.

Industrial Ethernet essentials: What you need to know

Ethernet of the industrial kind requires specialty knowledge and practices, unlike Ethernet for home and office. If you are installing or operating an industrial Ethernet network, here are five need-to-know essentials about cabling, signal quality, ground loops, switches, and traffic.

Brewing more with industrial Ethernet

Case study: Saugatuck Brewing expanded beer output fourfold in two years, with help of EtherCAT industrial Ethernet and PC-based controls. See photo gallery.

Gigabit Ethernet used in new packaging machine

Case study: Newly designed thermoformer packaging machine with programmable logic controller, servo motors and drives, and I/O modules uses a Gigabit Ethernet bus network.

5 Best Ways to Extend Ethernet

For many applications of TCP/IP networking, the 100-meter range limit of copper Ethernet cable becomes a problem. With conversion and extension, networks can cover distances that are measured in kilometers.

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