Industrial automation is constantly evolving - and with it the requirements for modern machine architectures. With its remote I/O products and innovative AP communication, Festo offers an end-to-end solution that helps companies remain competitive. The modular concept ensures maximum flexibility, optimized cost structures and efficient integration into existing control systems.
The innovative system communication technology enables consistent and high-performance networking of automation components. For seamless integration of remote I/O systems, valve terminals and electric drives in real time.
Area of application: Suitable for applications that require a high degree of modularity and flexibility, especially if both electrical and pneumatic components are to be integrated.
Integration: Enables communication with higher-level controllers via Ethernet-based fieldbus modules and supports the connection of decentralized CPX-AP-I modules and other CPX-AP-A systems via AP communication.
Application area: Can be operated independently or integrated into a CPX-AP-A system via AP communication, creating a flexible and scalable system architecture.
Integration: Ideal for applications that require robust and compact modules, for example in confined or decentralized installation environments.
Through the combined use of CPX-AP-A and CPX-AP-I and Festo AP communication, automation solutions with electrical and pneumatic components can be implemented that enable a hybrid architecture of centralized and decentralized connection. The result: increased efficiency and optimum adaptability of the entire system!
Parameterize, program and maintain a complete actuator system from the mechanical components to the controller with just a few clicks - and all in just one single software package.
Bus technology is a process for exchanging data and signals between technical devices or automation systems. The field devices or products that need to exchange signals with each other are therefore connected via electrical cables - in most cases simple two-core cables - to form a network. The field devices are not always complex units or machines, but also individual magnetic coils, signal lamps, switches, push buttons, light curtains and the like; they are called "participants" in somewhat general terms. The bus cable not only supplies electrical voltage to the bus electronics of the participants, but also carries the signals point to point.
Each fieldbus network participant is given its own address, an unique digital name. This means it is possible to send signals specifically to each individual participant and also receive signals from all the devices. The digital signals are transmitted in digital data packets that contain both the address of the participant and the information to be transmitted. The data packets are transmitted by simply switching the electrical voltage in the conductors of the bus cable on and off - in the same way as flashing a light to transmit Morse code. Network participants "eavesdrop on the radio chatter" and once their own address appears in the data packet, they evaluate the information it contains.
The rules for interaction during data exchange are laid down in so-called (bus) protocols that contain definitions of the rights of individual operators to the communication system, the components of a message packet, the time sequence of signal transmission and much more data. The transferred data and signals are used for switching devices on and off or automating them, sending control and statistical data, reading measured values, sending status data for equipment diagnosis or tasks, transferring device characteristic values and much more.
The basic concept of this technology is very simple: connect all participants with a cable and send digital communication packets. The situation is very similar to sending letters by post: the information is packaged, addressed and then sent.
At the field level and the sensor/actuator level integrated therein, signals and data are transferred for device control and diagnostics. This includes data from, among others, displacement encoders and drive technology, temperature sensors and acceleration sensors, as well as vision systems, control technology and automation solutions and much more. Features such as real-time data transmission are crucial here, e.g. for motion control or data security during transmission. Therefore, the requirements for transmission speed and data exchange rules in industrial automation are extremely demanding.
These 'Electrical Peripherals' or Fieldbus devices require investment in knowledge, objects and personnel but for automated processes, they often mean savings with many benefits. To ensure future growth, product quality, innovation, flexibility and accuracy, the future lies with this digitisation. These interfaces in production are necessary to bring technologies from different suppliers together in factory automation applications.
Efficiency in automation and production require machines with simple processes, but ready for Industry 4.0. Companies want machines equipped with interfaces capable of being operated and read like computers. These Fieldbus devices can make the connection between the upstream PLC network, and the whole field-level and are products your automation needs.
To get maximum benefits from this technology and automation systems, it is important to choose the most appropriate protocol to connect the desired automation systems in production. Each network has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the tasks, technologies, scale, ... but certainly the choice of a decentralised or a centralised control approach affects investment and productivity. Once the choice for this and for the bus protocol (e.g. profinet,AS interface, ...) and electrical connection (e.g. M8, M12, ...) is made, it is easy to select by component, and determine the number of output channels, input channels. This allows machines or automation systems to pass data from the sensor or robots to the PLC or cloud. Know: changing protocol or standard afterwards can put automation systems through tough weather.
Companies and people want to meet recent expectations to monitor production and ingest data to make their investment in automation systems pay off. This kind of equipment can help companies with predictive maintenance, monitoring systems, automating feedbacks to ERP systems,
Fieldbus devices are devices that are designed to communicate and interact with each other over a fieldbus network. A fieldbus is a digital communication protocol used in industrial automation to connect various devices such as sensors, actuators, controllers, and other equipment within a plant or industrial setting.
Fieldbus devices are typically connected through a common communication network, which allows them to exchange data, commands, and status information. This network replaces traditional point-to-point wiring systems, providing a more efficient and flexible way of connecting devices.
These devices come in various forms and serve different functions within the industrial automation system. Some common examples include:
1. Sensors: Fieldbus-enabled sensors, such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, flow meters, and proximity sensors, provide data about the process variables they are monitoring. They transmit this data over the fieldbus network to controllers or other devices for analysis and control.
2. Actuators: Fieldbus-enabled actuators, such as valves, motors, and drives, receive control signals over the fieldbus network to perform specific actions. These signals can include commands for opening or closing valves, starting or stopping motors, or adjusting speed and position.
3. Controllers: Fieldbus controllers, also known as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), receive data from sensors and issue commands to actuators to control and automate industrial processes. They serve as the central intelligence for the fieldbus network, coordinating communication and making decisions based on the received data.
4. Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs): Fieldbus-compatible HMIs provide a graphical interface for operators to monitor and control industrial processes. They receive data from the fieldbus network and display it in a user-friendly format, allowing operators to interact with the system and make adjustments as needed. The user layer would typically involve human-machine interfaces (HMIs). The user layer is responsible for presenting the data and status information from the fieldbus devices in a user-friendly manner, providing controls and commands for users to interact with the devices, and enabling users to configure and manage the fieldbus network.
Fieldbus devices offer advantages such as reduced wiring complexity, improved diagnostics, increased flexibility, and easier integration into control systems. Various fieldbus standards exist, including PROFIBUS, Modbus, DeviceNet, Foundation Fieldbus, and others, each with its own specifications and features.
A fieldbus protocol is a set of rules and specifications that define the communication format and behavior for devices connected on a fieldbus network. It establishes how data is exchanged, interpreted, and controlled between the devices within the industrial networks.
A fieldbus protocol typically includes the following elements:
1. Physical Layer: The physical layer defines the electrical and physical characteristics of the communication medium used in the fieldbus network. It specifies aspects such as voltage levels, cable types, connectors, and transmission speeds.
2. Data Link Layer: The data link layer manages the reliable transmission of data over the physical layer. It includes protocols for error detection and correction, frame formatting, data packetization, and addressing. This layer ensures that data is transmitted accurately and efficiently between devices.
3. Network Layer: The network layer handles the addressing, routing, and management of devices within the fieldbus network. It establishes how devices are identified, how they communicate with each other, and how messages are routed through the network.
4. Application Layer: The application layer defines the structure and content of the data exchanged between devices. It specifies the format of messages, the meaning of data fields, and the commands and functions supported by the devices. This layer enables devices to understand and interpret the data exchanged in the network.
Different fieldbus protocols exist, each tailored for specific process industries and requirements and data type. Some widely used fieldbus protocols include:
• PROFIBUS: A widely used fieldbus protocol for both process automation (PROFIBUS DP) and factory automation (PROFIBUS PA).
• Modbus: A simple and widely adopted protocol used for communication between devices connected on a serial line.
• Foundation Fieldbus: A digital, bi-directional (only two devices), multi-drop communication protocol used in process automation applications.
• DeviceNet: A protocol commonly used for industrial automation applications, particularly for connecting sensors and actuators to programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• CANopen: A higher-level protocol based on the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, used for communication and control in various industrial applications.
Each fieldbus protocol has its own set of advantages, performance characteristics, connection type and compatibility with different devices. The choice of protocol depends on the specific requirements of the industrial application and the devices being used in the system.