Electricity and Control May 2020

CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUT MATI N : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Partnerships for integrated automation systems How can field instruments and components be easily integrated into automation systems? The answer to this question is becoming increasingly important as the digitalisation of industrial production progresses. The Endress+Hauser Open Integration partner programme unites 13 manufacturers that want to ensure the streamlined interaction of their products. Softing Industrial Automation joined the partner network at the beginning of the year. The Open Integration partners test and document the interaction of their products for typical process automation applications. Users benefit by being able to combine the best products for each application and through fast commissioning. Automation technology suppliers value the advantages of the Open Integration programme as well. For these companies, it’s important to be able to detect potential problems early and solve them before installing their products at the customer site. Jörg Reinkensmeier, Marketing Manager at Endress+Hauser, explains: “We go well beyond the established test methods in this programme by scrutinising the functionality of complete system architectures in a lab environment. We do that for specific fields of application or customer solutions. After successful completion of the tests, the reference topologies are published in the form of mutual recommendations.” All the partners are suppliers of control technology, fieldbus infrastructures, measurement technology or Open automation platform reduces engineering time With ctrlX AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth has introduced what it describes as the most open automation platform on the market. It has eradicated the traditional boundaries between machine control systems, IT and the Internet of Things. Centralisedanddecentralisedautomation topologies can now be created flexibly with the scalable platform. With a Linux real-time operating system, open standards, app programming technology, web-based engineering and a comprehensive IoT connection, ctrlX AUTOMATION reduces engineering time and effort by 30 to 50%.

actuator technology: Auma Riester, Bürkert, Festo, Flowserve, Hima Paul Hildebrandt, Honeywell Process Solutions, Mitsubishi Electric, Pepperl+Fuchs, Phoenix Contact, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, Turck and most recently Softing Industrial Automation. Softing Industrial Automation is a network technology specialist, a leading provider of software and hardware products designed to integrate technologies and data in factory and process automation environments. “Our companies have enjoyed many years of successful cooperation, which is now manifested in our decision to join the Open Integration partner programme,” says Thomas Hilz, Vice President Strategic Accounts at Softing Industrial Automation.

For more information contact Endress+Hauser Tel: +27 (0)11 262 8000 visit www.endress.com

The Open Integration partner programme brings together manufacturers of various control and related technologies to combine the best products for specific fields of application.

These apps can be created in a various programming languages such as C++, script languages such as Python, or new graphical languages such as Blockly. This gives machine manufacturers new-found freedom. Users can choose to program in IEC 61131, PLCopen or G-Code, or in conventional high-level or internet languages. This liberates machine manufacturers from dependency on the availability of PLC specialists and proprietary systems. Configuration and commissioning of the automation components are completely web-based, eliminating the need to install software. Within minutes of switching the system on, the software is programmed. A virtual ctrlX AUTOMATION system environment is available, enabling programming without hardware. System functionalities can be extended at any time via the user’s own process functions, apps, and open source software. By reducing required engineering time and effort, ctrlX AUTOMATION significantly reduces time to market for new machines. ctrlX will be available in South Africa through Tectra Automation, a Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group company, towards the end of 2020. For more information contact Tectra Automation. Tel +27 (0)11 971 940, email: wiets.pretorius@boschrexroth.co.za, or visit: www.boschrexroth.africa

Today, mechanical engineering is centred on software development. The new ctrlX AUTOMATION platform encompasses the latest engineering software technologies and all PLC and motion tasks. Software functions are combinable in any number of ways with ready-made, customised and customisable apps.

The new ctrlX AUTOMATION open automation platform

eliminates traditional boundaries between

machine control systems, IT and IoT.

Electricity + Control MAY 2020

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