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PI's strength has always been to provide more than technology. We provide a community. A community of experts, vendors, and even users are tightly integrated in our worldwide network. So it is no surprise that PI announced major cooperations at this year’s SPS/IPC/Drives Press conference.

PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) and OPC Foundation have been working cooperatively for years. This cooperation is being intensified in order to systematically continue the integration of OPC UA into the system architecture of PROFINET.

The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) and PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) are announcing a close collaboration with the objective of promoting and disseminating the use of open industrial networks. As users aspire to be ready for Industry 4.0 or Industrial Internet of Things based manufacturing systems, easy integration of various networks, such as CC-Link IE and PROFINET, is essential for this.

PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) is purposefully driving the subject of Industrie 4.0 and is laying out the steps for future-proof further development of today's proven solutions. To this end, PI has started a working group with more then 30 participants from different member companies, whose first step will be to define use-cases relevant for Industrie 4.0.

Global manufacturers today demand simpler and more modular automation solutions that use open networks and interfaces. New business drivers require the seamless integration of production data with business systems to make better use of information originating from the plant floor.

The technologies of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) have been firmly established in process automation for years. PROFIBUS PA is recognized as the most powerful proven fieldbus solution. PROFINET has been expanded in response to specific requirements from users in the process industries.

What PI succeeded in doing with the M12 connector technology for the Ethernet network connection has now been transferred to the 24 V supply. With the M12 L-coded, there is now an M12 power plug connector available that covers the necessary power range with a current carrying capacity of 16 A in the size of an M12 plug connector.