High growth forecast for safety buses, networks

By Control Engineering Staff September 12, 2006

Natick MA— High growth awaits the global market for distributed/remote I/O (DRI/O) systems using safety buses and networks, a recent VDC study reports. “Industrial distributed/remote I/O: Global market demand analysis and user requirement analysis” says that although the market is small right now, it is posed for significant growth, led by PLCs. The report puts shipments of safety buses/networks at 2.3% in 2010, up from 1.3% in 2005.

DRI/O in PLC system applications had the highest use of safety buses and networks. At the other end of the spectrum, only a fractional share of products for PC-based systems is equipped with safety bus capabilities. VDC says total worldwide shipments in 2005 totaled $42.1 million, increasing to $99.4 million by 2010.

“PLC system applications are the most attractive for safety buses,” says VDC analyst Jake Millette. “This is due to the high level of shipments for equipment and machinery in discrete manufacturing compared to process controls. The development and promotion of safety buses by PLC suppliers has also led to a greater adoption.”

In 2005, Profisafe accounted for the largest share of the overall market and of distributed/remote I/O for use with DCSs and PLCs. That lead is expected to hold through 2010. AS-i Safety at Work accounted for the second largest share, with DeviceNet Safety right behind and forecast to move into second place by 2010. The safety bus/network arena is expected to become more crowded, with the anticipated release of Ethernet/IP Safety and the development of Safetybus p Club’s SafetyNet protocol reflecting the trend to Ethernet solutions.

For more on this report from VDC, click here .

—Control Engineering Daily News Desk Jeanine Katzel , senior editor