wenglor sensoric GmbH has expanded its product range for Industrial Communication to include the EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT protocols. The high performance Distance Sensors included in the der OCP range, as well as the associated Switches and Junctions, now provide for consistent communication right on down to the field level with two further protocols in addition to PROFINET.
A compact housing (50 x 50 x 30 mm), IP67 protection, an integrated web server, a graphic display, location-independent configuration and minimal wiring effort thanks to PoE: the OCP range has been distinguished in the past by numerous functions based on PROFINET, and will now be supplemented with two further highlights by adding the widespread EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT protocols.
EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT as an Ideal Extension
The OCP product range, equipped thus far with RS-232 or PROFINET, will be furnished with an additional, standardized communications interface by adding the real-time EtherCAT protocol and, in combination with power over Ethernet (PoE) and distributed clock technology, will thus be transformed into a genuine expert in the field of industrial communication. The time-stamp function is above all important when spatially distributed processes are coordinated with each other and precise synchronization of all Ethernet users is required.
Beckhoff Automation’s EtherCAT protocol, which has been an international standard since 2007, supports nearly all types of topologies thanks to its minimal wiring requirements. Transmission of large amounts of data and short cycle times are two of the protocol’s impressive strengths. As a member of the EtherCAT Technology Group user organization, and as host of the 2013 European EtherCAT Plug Celebration, wenglor actively supports integration and further development of this protocol.
The EtherNet/IPE interface introduced in March 2000 is every bit as helpful as well, which controls roughly 33% of the worldwide protocol market in the meantime and is well accepted above all in the USA. Like PROFINET and EtherCAT, the Ethernet protocol developed by the ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendor Association) and Rockwell is available with all four variants of wenglor’s OCP range, as well as the company’s three standard Switches.
Industrial Communication Systems
wenglor not only took this step towards multi-protocol systems with its widespread introduction of PROFINET for a full range of products (sensors, switches and terminal boxes), but rather by integrating the EtherCAT standards into wenglor’s ZAC50CN01 and ZAC50CN02 Junctions at the beginning of 2013. As of immediately, all four Industrial Ethernet variants of the OCP range (OCP801P0150x, OCP162P0150x, OCP352P0150x and OCP662P0150x) are available for all three protocols. This is supplemented by three Switches equipped with EtherNet/IP, namely the ZAC50EN01, the ZAC50EN02 and the ZAC51EN01. The product range is rounded out with four already established Fieldbus Gateways and an Ethernet Terminal Box.
For more info, go to http://www.wenglor.com