10 years ago, an engineer had the idea of creating a standardized robot command interface that would allow PLC-programmers to program robots directly in the PLC. PI has been supporting this technology (SRCI) for three years and is driving its development, with great success: 28 companies are now on board. The companies iNexBot and Fairino are the latest to join.

Module Type Package (MTP) provides for easier, more flexible integration of automation equipment. An upcoming webinar on December 11 provides an overview of MTP and describes its use-cases, numerous advantages, and how to build an MTP-compliant product. Register today.

Eight new products to announce: PROFIsafe I/O blocks from Belden; IP67 PROFINET switches plus flow sensors with IO-Link from Turck; master chips and signal conditioning chips with IO-Link from Renesas; ultrasonic sensors with IO-Link from microsonic; and laser power meters with PROFINET from MKS.

Be sure to register for two great webinars in November. The first webinar on November 7 is all about PROFIsafe, and the second webinar on November 26 is all about secure GSDML files, also know as GSDX.

The IO-Link Interoperability Workshop at the beginning of October 2024 was extremely well attended and tested a wide range of devices. But that’s not all…

The full integration of the Standard Robot Command Interface (SRCI) into Universal Robots’ software will enhance the connectivity capabilities of UR’s cobots and will ensure customers a frictionless integration with PLCs that also support SRCI.

The first known implementation of the PROFINET Community Stack as a toolkit has been announced by Wisconsin, USA-based Real Time Automation. This article provides a perspective on the PROFINET Community Stack, the reasons for it, how it works, and what their toolkit means for device developers.

Congratulations to HMS Networks for becoming the latest PI Training Center in Sweden. Located in Halmstad, Sweden, they are now certified to provide both PROFBUS and PROFINET training.