Tag: Networking & Communication

Modbus, Traditional Networks still Dominant over Industrial Ethernet

Joe Kaminski Leave a comment

Modbus, Traditional Networks still Dominant over Industrial Ethernet

We’re always keeping an eye on innovation, and a big trend in the PLC world is the move toward industrial ethernet communications rather than traditional networks. However, Bill Lydon (Editor for Automation.com) recently posted an article asserting that it’s going to be 15-20 years before industrial ethernet becomes the dominant market technology. In the meantime, customers are relying on networks like Modbus, Fieldbus, DeviceNet and others.

Modbus, designed by Modicon in 1979, is a request/reply protocol and offers services specified by function codes. Our Modicon Quantum Communications Modules utilize Modbus protocol to communicate with the drives and input/output modules on the same network, and has become so popular since its inception that many other industrial electronics also support the protocol.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished FANUC CNC, FANUC Robotics, Control Techniques,  Siemens, Modicon, Yaskawa, MagneTek, Saftronics, and Omron products available. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com

Real-Time Data Collection using PLC Networking

Joe Kaminski Leave a comment

This article from Control Engineering offers a great preview of the future of manufacturing with PLCs. Ethernet connections allow for real-time data collection, which introduces great networking potential between workers and the machines. Because PLCs can be programmed to make decisions based on input variables, we can automate more tasks but still be confident that process variables are under control. The development and innovation of Modicon Quantum I/O Modules create the backbone of the PLC networking configuration.

Another exciting revelation in the article:

To meet the growing operation needs of industrial automation, networks continue to expand, offering monitoring and control capabilities in areas not previously possible. Device networks are now using fieldbus-to-Ethernet integration to develop enterprise-wide control networks. Merging networking functionality with PLCs enables users to off-load main processor tasks for distributed control in the field, placing control-level devices closer to the action. Additionally, by combining control with distributed I/O, manufacturers can lower their total cost of operation by streamlining data acquisition, communication, and factory-wide connectivity.

We can’t wait to see how users pair the networking capabilities of PLCs with infrastructure already in place on the factory floor.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Modicon products available including the Modicon Quantum series. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.