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Showing posts from January, 2017

MODBUS to PROFIBUS Converter (Serial to PROFIBUS)

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Not only is it possible with IDX but simple, quick and cost effective. Anybus is your ideal solution, dominant when it comes to converting between Fieldbus, Ethernet and serial protocols. Integrate your RS232,422 & 485 equipment to a PROFIBUS/PROFINET control system without any changes to your device. Simply connect, configure and you're done! Simply IDX it!  Some of the features and benefits you can expect from the Anybus Communicator include: Save time and unnecessary development when integrating your device into PROFIBUS/PROFINET MODBUS RTU configuration wizard Ability to configure ASCII or vendor specific protocols Multi language support Handy save and load function allows for a completed configuration to be utilised on alternate installations Serial line listener and built in checksum calculator for diagnostics and troubleshooting No high level programming skills are needed to set up the Anybus communicator. the Anybus device is configur

StarNET HDLC Master Gateway solves legacy migration challenge

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In August 2016, IDX successfully completed the commissioning of its latest StarNET HDLC gateway development implementation which saw the addition of StarNET HDLC Master functionality being added to the gateway. The application involved the legacy migration of a GEM 80 PLC controlling three GEM Micro drives operating in a redundant setup for operating the brakes of a mine winder operating on the deepest single drop shaft in the world, near Klerksdorp in South Africa. As only the PLC was being replaced with a modern software-based PLC, a solution to interface with the existing GEM Micro drives was required. Due to the safety critical nature of the system, the solution needed to be reliable and offer quick data turnaround to prevent safe lock-outs of the brake controller, and thus shutting down the winder and of course the shaft. IDX provided a MODBUS UDP Slave to StarNET HDLC Master interface in the form of an IDX StarNET gateway allowing the new Beckhoff PLC to read and write to t

eWon Netbiter Argos Exporting and Importing Profiles

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Sometimes you've built a great looking dashboard associated with a Modbus device template that you are now ready to role this out to other accounts, only to realise that you have to start the entire configuration from scratch when using another Argos account (well almost, you can probably reuse the device template you created at least).  This is usually the case for a system integrator that did a proof of concept on their own account, but need to recreate the configuration in their customers' accounts. This obviously is a waste of time and there is a better way to go about it.  We always suggest to our customers to work using a profile from the beginning (so get the M&A subscription upfront!). We show this in our training too. A profile combines templates, visualization, log and alarm parameters and even the customized dashboard (make sure you use profile dashboards). This profile is easily reused for multiple Netbiter systems in the same account, but it is also possible

What you need to know about PROFIBUS Analysers

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If you have an existing network, you are responsible for the installation and commissioning of new networks or conduct testing on Profibus systems you most certainly require a high performance bus analyser.  Although Certified Profibus Training is one of the   most  fundamentally important steps required, even with this training it is almost impossible to diagnose, commission and analyse Profibus systems blind. Certified Profibus Engineers utilise modern engineering tools like the ProfiTrace Ultra kit to assist them on each project. What features should I expect from my PROFIBUS analyser? Based on the ProfiTrace Ultra Pro Kit: Live list overview, showing an overall health of each Profibus node Message recording and reporting functionality High performance bus statistics with a summary view Advanced oscilloscope with differential and combined signal view Bar graph showing all driver voltages, including a varying high low view Network topology detection, cable