ODVA 2003: Eaton, InterlinkBT, Numatics, Rockwell show solutions

Ann Arbor, MI—In a series of press conferences on Sept. 30 at the ODVA Global Networks Conference 2003, four manufacturers presented their latest solutions incorporating its DeviceNet and Ethernet/IP fieldbus protocols.

By Control Engineering Staff October 8, 2003

Ann Arbor, MI— In a series of press conferences on Sept. 30 at the ODVA Global Networks Conference 2003, four manufacturers presented their latest solutions incorporating its DeviceNet and Ethernet/IP fieldbus protocols. ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Association) held its an-nual meeting at the Sheraton Inn Ann Arbor and at its new Technology and Training Center.

Katherine Voss, ODVA’s executive director, delivered an update on the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) architecture, which is the building block for both DeviceNet, Ethernet/IP and ControlNet. CIP includes device profiles, application objects, data management services, message routing, and connection management capabilities that help users achieve seamless communication with any part of their enterprise, and integrate I/O control, configuration and data collection. Voss also informed attendees about two recent extensions to CIP.

The first extension, CIP Safety, meets the IEC 61508 standard for Functional Safety of Sys-tems, and will allow CIP to be used in systems with a Safety Integrity Level (SIL); help control and safety devices exist on the same wire; allow individual devices to support control and safety connections; and route safety messages seamlessly among multiple networks using standard routers. CIP Safety has been submitted to the TUV organization, with approval expected in 2003, and publishing planned in 2004.

The second extension, CIP Sync, adds time-synchronization services to expand the applica-tion coverage of the two protocols into new areas, such as sequence of events recording and dis-tributed motion control. CIP Sync uses minimal bandwidth, computing, and memory resources to help tolerate heterogeneous systems based on different clocks.

Solutions presented by the fours manufacturers at ODVA included several releases.

Component Manager software, Version 1.1, from Eaton Corp. Component Manager is part of Eaton’s CH Studio software for programming and configuring in-dustrial automation systems. “Component Manager provides immediate configuration and moni-toring for more than 5,000 devices offered by the DeviceNet vendor community,” says Greg Venhaus, Eaton’s automation software product manager. “This powerful tool provides significant productivity enhancement for system integrators, machinery OEMs, and industrial facility man-agers.” A major end-user benefit of Component Manager is support for Eaton’s Cutler-Hammer family of Intelligent Technologies products. Component Manager supports: Starter Network Adapter Products (SNAP); Reduced voltage starters; I/O modules; MCC cover control; and Net-work adapters.

In addition, Eaton Electrical introduced its Cutler-Hammer Hands Off Auto (HOA) option for the D77B-DSNAP DeviceNet Starter Network Adapter Module for the IT starter line. The front-mount DSNAP is the smallest network adapter providing control and monitoring of the motor controller over DeviceNet. The HOA option provides for true hand operation of the motor con-troller, even if DeviceNet is offline. HOA means that applications, such as motor control center (MCC) retrofits and integrated facility system (IFS) are easier to perform. HOA functions with standard 24 V dc PLC outputs or standard operators to switch between Hand and Auto, control the remote Run command, and also the remote Overload Reset command.

FDN20 DeviceNet station from InterlinkBT can connect every pushbutton to a DeviceNet network. FDN20-4S-4XSG-E is reportedly compact, rugged, inexpensive and has built-in DeviceNet eurofast connector. FDN20 also easilt fits into any standard pushbutton enclosure. FDN20 is easily mounted by drilling a hole in the center of the pushbutton’s bottom. This allows the eurofast connector to be inserted, and then tightened with a locknut. The connector then ex-tends out of the pushbutton’s base, and is ready for connection to a network drop cable. The I/O scew terminals are easily accessible inside the enclosure. No other cables are needed. FDN20 powers its input and outputs from DeviceNet, which is ideal for dry contact inputs and indicator outputs.

G2-2 pneumatic fieldbus manifolds from Numatics have integrated Ethernet, DeviceNet and ControlNet into its platform series, which combines the functionality of a scalable, modular I/O system with a modular pneumatic valve manifold. As slaves on either Ethernet or ControlNet networks, the G2-2 unit controls up to 164 outputs/96 inputs, with 32 output points reserved for valve solenoid coils, from a single node. The manifold also can be subdivided and distributed to other valve series without the need for additional nodes. Numatics adds that G2-2 is completely modular and scalable, featuring plug-in valves, sub-bases and I/O modules. The various plug-in discrete I/O modules allow external sensor devices to be read and external loads to be controlled via standard 12-mm connectors or Sub-D connectors. Output drive currents rated at 0.5 A nominal with higher currents available. Time-proven lapped spool and sleeve valve design allows compact size, 5/2 and 5/3, valves with flows of up to 1.2 C v (1,200 L/min.)

To help manufacturers and system-level OEMs reduce costs by moving controls and hardware directly onto machines, Rockwell Automation is expanding its Armor I/O family by adding 42 ArmorBlock and ArmorPoint digital, analog and specialty I/O modules. The company is also launching a full range of hardened network adapters, including DeviceNet, ControlNet and Ethernet/IP. ArmorPoint is a modular IP67 system consisting of adapters, I/O modules, power supplies and backplane bus extenders. ArmorBlock combines the adapter, power supply and I/O into an industrially sealed package. ArmorPoint I/O features an architecture based on the Allen-Bradley Point I/O system. It reuses Point I/O electronics, as well as the model configuration methodology, allowing users to leverage their knowledge of the Point I/O IP20 system and reduce training requirements.

In this initial launch, ArmorPoint will include 30 I/O modules and four communication adapters. ArmorPoint provides small increments, one to eight channels, of IP67 I/O per module, so users can buy only what they need. Module types include dc, ac, digital, analog, counters, encoders and serial interfaces.

New members of the ArmorBlock I/O family include features the lowest-cost IP67 DeviceNet I/O available. It is ideal for machinery applications where diagnostics and local control are not required. This new offering will include an eight-point version that is capable of being configured for any mix of I/O, such as seven inputs and one output or two inputs and six outputs.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news editor
jmontague@reedbusiness.com