Network hardware interconnects expand

Industrial network hardware has proliferated as equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and end-users find ways to connect islands of automation, and interconnect multiple networks, according to sources at NMW.

Making industrial networks exchange information can be a challenge, says Michael Justice, president of Synergetic Micro Systems (Downers Grove, Ill.). New PCMCIA Type II cards from Synergetic for CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus, and SDS serve as master communication controllers by using existing software driver from ASAP, Controlware, ETI, Intellution, SoftPLC, Taylor, Think & Do, and Wonderware, he says.

Daniel Woodhead Co. (Northbrook, Ill.) introduced a Brad Harrison 3608 fully shielded version of its MultiPort Interconnection System—with micro-, mini-, and nano-change connectors—that responds to customers’ needs to protect signals from interference.

InterlinkBT (Plymouth, Minn.), the joint venture between Banner and Turck, promotes fast turnaround on custom cable lengths for industrial networks to decrease user aggravation via connection failures, says Murry Death, InterlinkBT’s president. “If there are 100 cable terminations and two are field terminated, I guarantee one of those two will cause trouble,” he says.

Belden Wire and Cable (Richmond, Ind.) has flexible cables, named “Infinity,” for use with automation. Belden’s VFD Cable, for variable frequency drives, has extra shielding to withstand a 4,800 V potential difference from ground.

Olflex Cable ‘s (Fairfield, N.J.) Servo-FD 755P allows a minimum bend radius of five times the cable radius.

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