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Showing posts from January, 2018

Creating a Java Program on the HMS Anybus Communicator Hardware Platform

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Time to dust off the cobwebs and do some "legacy" development! In this blog, I'm going to show you how to get to a point where you can start writing Java code on the HMS Anybus Communicator. I find that it doesn't matter what language you code in, the tricky bit is getting to the point where you can simply create and run the time-honoured "Hello World!" program. Using new editors, sorting out dependencies, making physical hardware connections can take up a big chunk of your time. First, some information on the hardware platform: The Anybus brand from HMS contains hundreds of gateways (or protocol converters) that can be used to convert between common industrial communications protocols such as PROFIBUS, MODBUS, Ethernet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, PROFINET, CANOpen, J1939, etc. Check out anybus.com for a full list of protocols supported out of the box. Using these gateways you can for instance read registers from a MODBUS device and make them available

Your path to becoming a PROFIBUS expert in South Africa

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The PROFIBUS Competence and Training Centre of Southern Africa (PCC) has been providing internationally certified PROFIBUS training since 2004. The centre is operated by Industrial Data Xchange. The courses are conducted by lecturers that have real on-site experience and have an in-depth knowledge of the content developments of the technology by attending PI Training Centre meetings across the globe. We believe that hands-on training is key and by the end of the course you will feel confident in creating your own network! We've mapped out the path for you below:  The entry level stage is for individuals who have no experience with PROFIBUS. If someone has been tasked with installing or maintaining a PROFIBUS network, they should at least have the PROFIBUS Installer certification. This should give the end user some level of confidence that the installation will work reliably.  Which course is for me? Installer Course Engineer Course PA Engineer Course Start from the basi

Changing a device's PROFIBUS address using the Nettest II handheld PROFIBUS tester

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The Nettest II is one of those tools that our PROFIBUS Engineers ensure that they have with them when going on a PROFIBUS callout. It's particularly useful as a pre-commissioning device to quickly test a section of newly assembled PROFIBUS cable before using it. It's amazing how easily installers can swap the A and B line, leave off a termination, create a short between the lines or shield or forget to attach the shield in a connector. If the cable passes the Nettest II Line Tests, you can be confident that the cable will work reliably in your installation. You can also view signal strengths, view a live list and monitor statistics, but did you know that you can change the address of a device?  We occasionally get asked: "How can one change the address of the device that has no rotary dials or dip switches?"  The answer would be to use a Class 2 Master. However, a technician on a night shift might need to replace a piece of equipment, and can't, because they d