In process automation, rapid installation and easy operation of field devices are important user requirements – consistently across manufacturers. Therefore PI has developed a profile specification in the form of PA Profile 4.0 that is independent of the communication protocol.
At the PI press conference on the second day of Hannover Fair, PI Chairman Karsten Schneider presented news of PROFINET, PROFIBUS, and IO-Link.
The installed base of devices with 'PI interfaces' continues its very strong overall market position. Against the background of Industrie 4.0, this is a clear sign of the acceptance of PI technologies in this innovative domain.
Practical and high-quality certification tests for communication interfaces are among the key factors for acceptance of an open communication standard. PI has maintained a certification system for PROFIBUS and PROFINET products since the beginning.
With the release and publication of the IO-Link Safety specification by the IO-Link Community and the successful concept assessment by the TÜV SÜD, nothing else stands in the way of implementation in systems and devices.
The UK had two events, one focusing on factory automation and one on process automation. In the Netherlands, an Industrial Ethernet event themed "Linking People, Companies, and Machinery" was held.
There were multiple product announcements leading up to Hannover Fair. PROCENTEC announced a new diagnostic tool for PROFIBUS and PROFINET. Comtrol presented one new product; PROVERTHA, two; Siemens, two; and Turck, four new products.
Poland is honored to be a partner country on the Hannover Fair this year. Significant growth of the Polish economy in recent years has resulted in an increased number of foreign investments. Practically every branch of industry is benefiting from the use of industrial networks, and the vast majority of those networks are Profibus and Profinet.
