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Getting on board the right fieldbus

Larger and more complex machines, using centralized controllers such as those with multiple axes, need substantially more wire and cable. More wiring increases the potential for errors. The sheer size or volume of the wiring can make cabling too big to flex as axes move and articulate. A distributed-architecture strategy can shorten wires by locating the intelligence on the machine near sensors and actuators. Also, a fieldbus sends information via a single wire. Still, much of the distributed hardware and centralized software available today was developed for
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Products & Services
Fieldbus Products
Fieldbus products are industrial automation products used in industrial network communications on factory floors.
Control and Instrumentation Cables
Control and instrumentation cables are used to supply power to devices, such as analytical instruments and process controllers, used in control and instrumentation systems. They are typically designed for specific industrial protocols and are equipped with shielding to prevent electrostatic or electromagnetic interference between the enclosed wires and external fields.
CNC Controllers
CNC controllers are used to control machines and processes. They provide capabilities ranging from simple point-to-point linear control to highly complex algorithms with multiple axes of control. CNC controllers are used to retrofit many types of machine shop equipment.
Motion Control Systems
Motion control systems contain matched components such as controllers, motor drives, motors, encoders, user interfaces and software. Components in these systems are optimally matched by the manufacturer.
Fieldbus Communications Computer Boards
Fieldbus communications computer boards are used to control of sensors and actuators in industrial applications, such as data acquisition and control.
Product Announcements
Numatics, Inc. - Numatics Introduces G3 Fieldbus
Numatics, a leading manufacturer of pneumatics and motion control products introduces the G3 Fieldbus, the next generation electronic platform that allows easy access to I/O connections; it's easy to... (read more)
Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation - New On-Machine Motor Controller
Machine builders can now offer customers a compact distributed motor controller that easily installs on the machine without an enclosure, quickly connecting to enterprise networks. Allen-Bradley... (read more)
Control Techniques, an Emerson Industrial Automation business - Discover Unidrive M
The fastest way to learn about the Unidrive M family of Manufacturing Automation drives from Control Techniques. (read more)
Beck, Harold Beck & Sons, Inc. - Electric Actuators-Foundation Fieldbus tested
Harold Beck and Sons, is pleased to announce the successful completion of Foundation Fieldbus Interoperability testing of its electric actuator Digital Control Module (DCM). The Beck line of... (read more)
Topics of Interest

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Ethernet-based systems are becoming more widely used for two reasons: The hardware needed for faster data handling is now less expensive and readily available, and the network requires fewer wires...

Wiring E-stops on a fieldbus network can substantially reduce costs without compromising safety. In the U.S., most machines are typically built with two independent control systems. One is for...