Xycom Automation joins serial-to-Ethernet gateway fray

By Control Engineering Staff June 28, 2002

Saline, Mich.— Joining the serial-to-Ethernet protocol converter fray, Xycom Automation , a subsidiary of Pro-face America, has introduced Pro-face Factory Gateway. The product offers programless Ethernet connectivity with serial devices.

Network configurations are made on Pro-face’s data collection software, Pro-Server with Pro-Studio (version 4.0). IP addresses are set with rotary switches. Collected data on Pro-Server can be saved and replayed in a table format, and can be shared with other PC applications via ADO, DDE, DLL, OPC, and SQL, the software.

The unit is equipped with on-board screen data memory. Screen data created on the company’s screen editor software, GPPRO/PBIII, can be stored for remote monitoring or production status. Features include RS-232C/422 port; 10 Base-T port; 1 MB of screen data memory (FEPROM); 128KB of data backup memory (SRAM); LED indicators for system and communication status; rotary switches for IP address set up; and DIN-rail mount. It conforms to CE marking and UL/cUL standards.

‘The ability to gather data from serial only devices over Ethernet provides key information to decision-makers fast,’ explains Scott Kortier, Xycom’s GP/GLC business unit manager. ‘Personnel should not have to walk to the production environment, and manually collect data, because of the inability to network serial devices. Now they don’t have to.’

Control Engineering Daily News Desk

Gary A. Mintchell, senior editor

gmintchell@reedbusiness.com