Brushless DC servo motors now
available with integrated EtherCAT interface

EtherCAT is an Ethernet-based field bus system that meets stringent real-time requirements and currently shows the highest rate of growth in terms of installed nodes in Ethernet-based field buses for industrial automation applications.

Dunkermotoren servo motors in the BG family are powerful, intelligent drives covering an output power range of 40 to 500 watts. These compact drives have been available for many years with a CANopen field bus interface, and more recently with an interface for Profibus DP (V1), which has become established in the market. Now Dunkermotoren has added an EtherCAT interface to its range of integrated communication interfaces.

Dunkermotoren servo motors in the BG family are powerful, intelligent drives covering an output power range of 40 to 500 watts.

The CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE) function allows the servo motors to act as slaves in an EtherCAT network. CANopen over EtherCAT utilises the same objects as CANopen. Dunkermotoren uses standardised DSP402 objects for positioning, monitoring and configuring servo drives.

Dunkermotoren can provide the right drive solutions for a wide variety of application areas. Users can choose from a broad range of modular drive components. This enables machine manufacturers to design drives that are optimally aligned to specific requirements. In addition to motors, Dunkermotoren offers a broad spectrum of planetary and worm gearboxes, brakes and encoders in a well conceived modular system. This enables machine manufactures, working in collaboration with Dunkermotoren's drive specialists, to quickly assemble optimal drive configurations from standard components with minimum design effort.

For further information, e-mail: peter.lawton@dunkermotoren.com  or view website: www.dunkermotoren.de

Molex Unveils Brad SST PB3 Remote Module: Designed
to bring PROFIBUS connectivity to Rockwell Logix Controllers

Molex Incorporated's new Brad® SST™ PB3 Remote Module for PROFIBUS* is a stand-alone hardware platform including PROFIBUS and Ethernet communication ports, thus enabling fast and easy connectivity to any Rockwell ControlLogix® and CompactLogix® controller.  The PB3 module, which will be available next year, features a unique remote design that enables it to be installed close to the PROFIBUS field device, reducing the expensive cabling costs that can occur when the controller and field device are in different locations.

"The PB3 module provides the same features of an in-chassis module, but is more flexible and easier to use," says Eric Gory, product manager, Molex.  "Its remote design means the PB3 module can be installed in any convenient location such as inside cabinets, on machines or in cells. Additionally, because of its Ethernet media, the PB3 module can be used in specific applications where a wireless connection is required."

The PB3 Remote Module fits factory automation, process control and machine building applications.  It is fully integrated into the Rockwell Software Architecture through features such as 'Add-on-Instructions', which saves integration time; Ethernet switch with redundancy capability (DLR); direct access to I/O data without the need to write ladder logic and complete access to PROFIBUS DP-V1 services and device diagnostics.

Additional features include: 1) Engineering console that runs PROFIBUS master and slave protocols simultaneously. 2) Remote configuration and diagnostics via an Ethernet connection for quick commissioning. 3) CommDTM driver, which allows Rockwell users in process control industries such as oil/gas and food/beverage to perform asset management. 4) Easy sharing of I/O process data and the ability for multiple types of equipment to connect to a single PB3 Remote Module.

For further information, view website: www.molex.com/link/xrc.html   Refer to page 137

Next generation SST DN4 DeviceNet network interface cards from
Molex: Enhanced FPGA design extends NIC reliability and performance 

Molex Incorporated's fourth-generation SST™ DN4 high-performance DeviceNet* network interface cards (NICs), use an enhanced FPGA (field programmable gate array) design to extend reliability and performance. Ideal for real-time control and data acquisition applications, which range from PC control and HMI/SCADA systems, to robotics, network configuration, troubleshooting and diagnostic tools,  the Molex DN4 family of DeviceNet NICs provides industrial OEMs and end-users with a more reliable and cost-effective solution for industrial communication.

Simultaneous execution of Group 2 Client (Master) and Server (Slave) operations allows the OEM and end-user to implement control schemes where all capabilities may be required; a typical example would be in robotic control cells. Suitable for any DeviceNet control scheme, the DN4 supports poll, strobe, change-of-status (COS) and cyclic input/output messaging. The QuickConnect capability of the DN4 cards in Client (master) mode allows the devices to be accessed on power-up in less than 500 milliseconds.

About the new-generation of SST DN4 DevieNet NICs, Eric Gory, product marketing, Molex says: "The enhanced FPGA design lowers the overall component count, which results in higher reliability and extended product lifecycle." The DN4 cards provide multiple network support for all standard DeviceNet baud rates (125, 250 and 500 Kbaud), as well as use in CAN (Control Area Network) networks (2A and 2B, up to 1Mb per second), reducing OEM inventory. For application flexibility, the DN4 cards from Molex are available in a variety of product formats with support for the standard PCI (3.3/5V) and PC/104 buses.

For system flexibility, the Molex DN4 cards are available in both single- and dual-channel formats. In addition, the Molex DN4 NICs support the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP*) Safety Server (Slave) reducing implementation time of the Molex CIP Safety Stack significantly. Multi-slave (Server) versions of the PCI bus card are available (1 channel only) to support control system simulation, reducing design and field-commissioning time. 

The DN4 NICs are designed and conformance tested in accordance to ODVA standards (Volume 3, v. 1.8), and are form-fit-function replacements for the existing DN3 family of products providing a high performance upgrade path or connections to legacy systems.

For further information on the Molex SST DN4 DeviceNet Network Interface Cards, view website: www.molex.com/link/dn4.html  Refer to page 137

Belden's two new AS-Interface
modules from its Lumberg Automation™
product range, can be coupled to the actuator
/sensor network with round cables or flat cables

Belden's two new AS-Interface modules from its Lumberg Automation™ product range, can be coupled to the actuator/sensor network with round cables or flat cables. For this purpose, the modules feature either an integrated T-piece functionality or piercing contacts. Both versions are slave modules with four digital inputs for two- or three-wire sensors and four digital outputs for standard actuators. Two inputs and two outputs are Y-connected. Since both modules support the latest AS-Interface profile in accordance with AS-Interface specification V3.0, up to 1,000 digital inputs/outputs can be connected. Compared to the previous versions, signal density has therefore more than doubled. What is more, the new modules feature a fully encapsulated PUR housing that is highly resistant to cooling lubricants from machine tools, for example.

Each module contains eight M12 sockets for digital inputs and outputs. Slave addresses can be assigned via the modules' M12 bus connection using an addressing unit and a connection cable.

Both versions comply with the IEC 61076-2-101 and IEC 61131 standards. They also fulfill the requirements for degree of protection IP67, and are suitable for use in temperature ranges from -25° to +80°C. Power supply is designed for 11 to 30 V. The modules can be securely fastened with three screws and have dimensions of 152 x 60 x 35.8 mm (length x width x depth).

With these new AS-Interface modules in the Lumberg Automation™ product range, Belden has launched two innovative components for actuator/sensor networks in the market. As Product Manager Robert Strehmann says: "The modules' high signal density will save users a significant amount of money because, depending on the network topology, they will require fewer modules overall."

For further information, view website: www.belden-emea.com   Refer to page 201