MC2 Classroom

www.designworldonline.com/ MC2

Lisa Eitel

Intelligent connectivity for electric automation

Connectivity is at the core of modern automation in manufacturing and beyond. System links between devices, controls, machines, and the cloud beyond. System links between devices, controls, machines, and the cloud facilitate the use of data so important to IIoT (Industrie 4.0) functionalities. facilitate the use of data so important to IIoT (Industrie 4.0) functionalities. Here, leading trends include the rise of edge computing (including the Here, leading trends include the rise of edge computing (including the use of industrial gateways), services that support cloud connectivity, use of industrial gateways), services that support cloud connectivity, Ethernet-based networks, wireless communications for industrial components, various forms of standardized protocols, open-source programming code, and uni ing so ware environments to facilitate interoperability. When conjuring such systems, most engineers are likely to picture the traditional automation-communications pyramid. Such architectures include data exchanges between fi eld-level sensors and higher implementation layers … as well as some communications between controls … fi nally rising to the pinnacle of the enterprise level. But as the Design World editors illustrate in the latest Motion Classroom installment — online at www. designworldonline.com/intelligent-connectivity-classroom — several technologies have facilitated distributed and intelligent systems with fl atter and more fl exible machinery communication structures.

Access this and other MC2 installments by visiting Access this and other MC2 installments by visiting designworldonline.com/MC2. designworldonline.com/MC2.

Festo CMMT-AS servo drives for industrial Ethernet offer hardware and software connectivity along with top efficiency and easy operation.

They excel in applications needing point-to-point and interpolated motion — and especially dynamic motion and precise positioning. They also allow direct fieldbus integration and easy commissioning with the Festo Automation Suite.

This educational installment sponsored by: