Product Round Up: April 2024

April 23, 2024

The Advantech ADAM-4572-CE from Newark is a 1-port Modbus gateway that serves as an interface between Modbus serial devices and computer hosts running Modbus/TCP on an Ethernet network and is fully compliant with Modbus/TCP. It works like a bridge between Modbus serial devices and controllers over TCP/IP Ethernet networks. The ADAM-4572 Modbus to Ethernet data gateway allows users to integrate new and existing Modbus/RTU and Modbus/ASCII serial devices to newer TCP/IP network-based devices.

Machine-Mounted I/O

The Siemens Simatic ET200SP is a distributed I/O system that adapts to the user’s communication standard as the supported protocols meet all possible requirements. It features integrated safety functions and can swap modules during running operations due to its multi-hot swapping function. The ET200SP is built to withstand demanding environments such as high vibration, extreme heat or harmful airborne particles. These I/O systems are also built to withstand water and oil.

Serial Gateways

DeviceMaster serial gateways enable integration of devices featuring an RS-232/422/485 serial interface to higher-level Ethernet and industrial Ethernet networks, such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP and Profinet. Serial gateways come with high-performance security mechanisms, including SSL key, SSH management and SSL serial data stream encryption. They are available with different connection options for DIN rail, panel and rack mounting.

Managed Switches

Wago’s line of lean managed switches for industrial networking come with a user-friendly dynamic web-based dashboard and topology mapping for instant updates on network status and system health. Features include tools for network performance, security and availability.  Several variants are available, all featuring 1 GB RJ45 ports and a choice of 8 or 16 ports as well as two supplementary fiber optic ports.

Data-Driven Decisions

HMS Networks, a provider of industrial information and communication technology has formed a technology partnership with Minitab, a provider of technologies for data analysis, predictive analytics, and process improvement. For more than 50 years, Minitab has helped organizations spot trends, solve problems and discover valuable insights in their data with its suite of data analysis and process improvement tools. HMS Networks has developed a feature that allows any data captured by the Ewon Flexy to be easily imported into a Minitab solution for advanced automated analysis. The new partnership will provide HMS customers with the ability to turn rapidly captured data into actionable information, utilizing advanced analytics with reduced deployment timelines, proven compatibility, in a secure Azure environment. ther.

Network Data Cards

The Telit FN990A40 and FN990A28 data cards enable a new generation of 5G state-of-the-art data cards featuring sub-6 only technology with LTE, WCDMA and GNSS support. The industrial-grade M.2 form factor is suitable for many high-performance and bandwidth-intensive enterprise and industrial applications, such as fixed wireless access and enterprise routers and gateways. Featuring fourth-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 and Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF System, these data cards incorporate support for all scenarios prescribed by the 3GPP Rel.16 deployments of 5G, including nonstandalone (NSA) LTE-5G NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), dynamic spectrum sharing between LTE and 5G and full 5G NR standalone (SA) mode.

Dual-Channel Communication Interface

The ELX6233 EtherCAT terminal from Beckhoff is a compact, dual-channel communication interface that simplifies integration of field devices in the hazardous areas of zones 0/20 and 1/21. The ELX6233 terminal meshes the advantages of the EtherCAT industrial Ethernet system with the emerging possibilities of Ethernet-APL. When connecting corresponding field devices, the new I/O terminal enables high channel density, simplified expandability, adaptable number of channels and improved cycle times. The ELX6233 connects to sensors according to the SPAA (TS10186) port profile and integrates them into the system via Profinet. Two APL ports are available for this purpose in the 24 mm terminal housing, allowing the data from connected sensors to be transmitted to the controller and to higher-level process control systems via EtherCAT.

CIP Safety Module

The Melsec iQ-R Series CIP safety module from Mitsubishi Electric is designed to ensure safety signal transmissions to a range of devices and equipment. The module occupies a dual slot on an iQ-R PLC rack and is compatible with both EtherNet/IP and CIP Safety protocols. It complies with international safety standards EN ISO 13849-1, Category 4 PL e and IEC 61508 SIL 3. It has been tested with various third-party robots, PLC peer-to-peer communications, gate switches, area scanners, VFDs and remote I/O.

Gigabit Ethernet Switches

Red Lion has released a new series of gigabit industrial switches. The N-Tron Series NT5000 Gigabit managed Layer 2 Ethernet switches are equipped with gigabit speed, layered security, and streamlined setup with a configuration wizard. The NT5000 features password encryption, multi-level user access, MAC security and IEEE 802.1X with Radius remote authentication. Real-time analytics are provided via the graphic interface which also shows active ports, power supply, temperature, contact relay status of the switch as well as color-coded gauges for port traffic and events. The switches feature a metal enclosure and are available in 6, 8, 10, 16 and 18 port configurations in all copper or a mix of copper and fiber options.

User-Configurable Gateways

SoftPLC Gateways can be user-configured to support a mix of Ethernet and serial protocols such as Ethernet/IP, ModbusTCP, Modbus and DF1. Additionally, they support multiple channels of Allen-Bradley Remote I/O or Data Highway Plus. These gateways can be used to bridge equipment between multiple vendors and provide users of Rockwell PLCs/PACs a way to upgrade obsolete drives, robots, operator interfaces and other remote I/O or Data Highway Plus devices without requiring replacement or changes to the PLC or adding expensive communication modules to a Logix PAC.

HART-IP Multiplexer

The four-channel dual speed HMUX-4-DS multiplexer is DIN-rail mountable and connects HART instruments anywhere in the control loop. When the multiplexer is connected to the plant Ethernet network, the HART data becomes accessible wherever the network is available. Dual Speed refers to the support of PSK HART devices. PSK operates at 9600 baud, making it nearly eight times faster than traditional FSK HART devices. A typical use case for the multiplexer is to setup a network connected PC running a HART-IP client that collects the measurement and status data from the HART instruments. This information can stay in the plant or be sent to the cloud for backup and ease of sharing.