Advancing digitalization in automation technology has experienced a significant innovation with the virtualization of programmable logic controllers (vPLCs). PROFIsafe, which plays an essential role in many automation systems, has received a letter of conformance from the TÜV Süd confirming its effectiveness when used with vPLCs.
Robot programmers are rare, and the lack of specialists is further intensifying the situation. This is why a host of robot manufacturers and Siemens, as a PLC manufacturer, joined forces to establish a standardized interface: the SRCI (Standard Robot Command Interface). The list of vendors supporting SRCI –and to what level, is constantly being updated.
With security top of mind these days, PI is proactively improving PROFINET networks with a staged approach that ensures not only a secure OT network, but one that doesn't compromise performance or reliability. The first stage of this approach, Security Class 1, is now ready for prime time.
IO-Link has been growing by leaps and bounds since becoming part of PI back in 2009. This leads to the inevitable question: What’s behind the success of IO-Link?
The PROFIdrive Profile Tester, a powerful tool for PROFINET device development, has been upgraded to version 6.0, starting with a trial bundle version. This release brings significant improvements and features that streamline the certification process and facilitate efficient testing.
There were many new exciting announcements from PI at this year's ACHEMA trade show. A particular highlight was the PI's new process automation live demo wall featuring 68 devices from 19 different companies. The focus was on intrinsically safe PROFINET over APL.
PI has been chosen by NAMUR and ZVEI to host the NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA) technology. This is consistent in two regards. First, the development of a consistent specification and certification is necessary to grow the technology. Second, PI has decades of experience with precisely this task, making it the right partner from the start.
The key to faster and more flexible responses to changing market requirements is the use of modular systems. MTP (Module Type Package) plays an important role here. At the ACHEMA trade show, a new MTP logo was released along with a multi-vendor demonstration.