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PLCopen Newsletter - Issue August 2017
1. Official Release PLCopen Safe Motion v1.0
2. General Meeting 2017
3. PLCopen returns as PACK EXPO partner in Las Vegas
4. PLCopen welcomes new members
5. New PLCopen Motion Control certification
6. New PLCopen Safety certification
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1. Official Release PLCopen Safe Motion v1.0
The specification “PLCopen Safe Motion” version 1.0 – official release – is now available on the PLCopen website for downloading.
The introduction of safety approved networks makes the control of drives and motion more and more a software item: hard-wired systems are replaced by software commands over networked systems. This is also pushed by initiatives like Industry 4.0 to create more flexibility preferably at the same quality and price levels. However, the different networks come with different solutions, which create problems at the users especially in production environments with heterogeneous networks. To harmonize this, PLCopen started a working group on Safe Motion, which created a generic proposal to solve the motion control safety aspects over the different networks like ProfiSafe, Safety over Ethercat, CIP Safety over Sercos, OpenSafety, CC-Link IE and Mechatrolink, as well as user areas as described in OMAC.
Also there are many Safe Motion related commands, and it makes no sense that a function block is created for all of them while the functionality is mostly the same.
This new solution is based on an existing functionality as already specified in PLCopen Safety: SF_SafetyRequest. With this most of the safety drive functionalities can be mapped easily, especially by providing a “guideline” with defined naming conventions, containing a generic scheme how to name signals related to the functions supported by a safety drive. Combined with an I/O or Drive configurator these names can be generated automatically for the bits in the drive‘s status / control word, matching the drive‘s profile (symbolic names). This proposal is based on the architecture that the safety functionality is in the drive, incl. all relevant parameters.
This work is a continuation of the PLCopen Motion and PLCopen Safety activities, which both resulted in a suite of specifications. Inside these published specifications the safety aspects around motion have been described only partially. This new document fills this gap.
For more information on PLCopen Safe Motion check our website www.PLCopen.org.
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2. PLCopen General Meeting 2017
On June 9, PLCopen had a very successful annual General Meeting in Amsterdam.
During this meeting the members voted on the representatives in the Board of Management.
We are glad to announce that Rene Simon of ifak (Institut für Automation und Kommunikation) in Germany was re-elected as Chairman for a 2 years term and Dirk Vielsäcker of Siemens was re-elected as a member of the Board for another 2 years.
A special topic of this year’s General Meeting was the role of PLCopen in Industry 4.0, linked to the Administration Shell (“Verwaltungsschale”) as defined in Industry 4.0. Michael Hoffmeister of Festo, who plays a key role in the Industry 4.0 RAMI Model, presented his views and opinions on this subject. It was decided at the General Meeting that PLCopen will start a new working group focused on the PLCopen contribution to Industry 4.0.
For PLCopen members: the minutes of the General Meeting are available on the secured members only section of our website.
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3. PLCopen returns as PACK EXPO partner in Las Vegas
PLCopen returns as a Tier One Partner in the PACK EXPO Las Vegas Partner Program for PACK EXPO Las Vegas and the co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO (Sept. 25-27; Las Vegas Convention Center). The three-day event offers a projected 30,000 attendees—including 5,000 international visitors from more than 125 countries — access to over 2,000 exhibitors over more than 900 million net square feet of exhibit space.
“PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO will break records before the show officially opens, with the size of the show, the number of exhibiting companies and total attendance all projected to surpass past shows,” says Jim Pittas, PMMI, senior vice president, Trade Shows. “It’s truly the largest packaging event in North America”.
PLCopen has a booth in the Association Partner Pavilion # C-1244 and the Managing Director Eelco van der Wal will attend. Come and meet him there.
With such a diverse exhibitor base, the show presents PLCopen members unparalleled access to the industry and an unmatched opportunity to explore a wide range of industries across 40 vertical markets.
In addition to the technology on display on the show floor, PACK EXPO Las Vegas will offer a host of educational and networking opportunities, as well as industry specific events. Here’s what to look out for:
- The Containers and Materials Pavilion will address innovations, including updates on paperboard, glass, metal and plastic. Flexible and resealable packaging options will also be on display. The Showcase of Packaging Innovations® located within the Containers and Materials Pavilion, will host award-nominated packaging solutions utilizing breakthrough technology to address consumer demands.
- Sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association, The Reusable Packaging Pavilion, is the hotspot to learn how to reduce waste, cut costs and gain supply chain efficiency.
- Candy and snack connoisseurs will find the newest trends and technologies relating to aeration, batch refining, shaping, cluster production and much more at The Confectionery Pavilion, sponsored by the National Confectioners Association (NCA).
PACK EXPO Las Vegas attendees will also have free access to educational programming on the show floor. Both PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO will feature 30-minute seminars at the Innovation Stage, offering a look at breakthrough technologies, innovative applications and proven techniques from industry experts.
PLCopen is offering complimentary registration using code 88C83. For more information and to register online, visit the PACK EXPO website.
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4. PLCopen welcomes new members
PLCopen is very pleased to announce two new members:
- The University of Korea, based in Seoul – South Korea.
- Azo Controls GmbH, based in Germany, provides i.a. bulk material handling, raw material handling and pneumatic conveying systems for the automation of production processes for the industry in foodstuff, pharmaceutical, chemicals and plastic.
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5. New PLCopen Motion Control certification
We are glad to announce that one of our members has been awarded the PLCopen Motion Control Certificate:
- VIPA for their product Simple Motion Control (PLCopen Part 1 v2.0)
This brings the total number of certified companies to 35 and of certified products to 69.
For more information please check our website www.PLCopen.org.
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6. New PLCopen Safety certification
We are glad to announce that one of our members has been awarded the PLCopen Safety Certificate:
- Kendrion Kuhnke Automation GmbH for their product Kuhnke FIO Safety PLC.
This brings the total number of certified companies to 8 and of certified products to 10.
For more information please check our website www.PLCopen.org.
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