Posted to News on 29th Apr 2014, 12:34
SmartWire-DT Gateways: communication with Ethernet Powerlink
Eaton is offering machine and system builders the option to integrate its SmartWire-DT communication and connection technology into automation systems which use the Ethernet Powerlink protocol. The new EU5C-SWD-POWERLINK gateway enables SmartWire-DT to support high-performance real-time automation applications by transferring the data from the various SmartWire-DT stations to the controller via Powerlink. As a result, machine builders can benefit from simpler planning, configuration, commissioning and maintenance, and switchgear, such as contactors, circuit-breakers and VSDs, can now be deployed with greater data transparency.
The new gateway can exchange 1000bytes of input and output data from up to 99 stations in cyclical operation as well as acyclical communication. Beside the integrated 100Mbit/s, an additional USB interface is also available for diagnostic tasks. This enables the user to test each station on the SmartWire-DT network independently - even when a controller is not connected.
In order to export the data gathered from the SmartWire-DT stations, Eaton offers the SWD-Assist software for planning, configuring and commissioning the SmartWire-DT network. In this configuration tool the operator is able to select every station in the system with just a few clicks of the mouse. The export function then enables the simple creation of an XDD file which contains all the I/O information of the SmartWire-DT stations used. This data can then be directly imported in the PLC configurator of the Powerlink target system.
As well as the Ethernet Powerlink protocol, Eaton's SmartWire-DT supports the fieldbus protocols Profibus-DP, CANopen, Modbus-TCP, EthernetIP and Profinet.
To learn more about the new EU5C-SWD-POWERLINK gateway from Eaton, visit www.eaton.uk.com/electrical.
