80 BRAVE ATLANTA SNOW TO ATTEND FIRST PROFINET CLASS OF 2010

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NEW FOR 2010 TRAINING CLASSES: This year our PROFIBUS classes explicitly encompass both discrete and process automation.  The content was virtually identical anyway. The fact that PROFIBUS handles both types of application with a single protocol has always been one its strengths. The PROFIBUS class also has more PROFINET content this year, since that was a another request from last year's attendees.

PROFINET classes are focusing on using PROFINET this year, so when students leave they'll be ready for their first PROFINET project. 

A total of 18 FREE one day training events have been scheduled for 2010 so far. Click the links below for individual venue sessions. Or, keep visiting this page to stay abreast of the schedule; More classes will likely be added.

Our FREE one day training events are positively the easiest and best way to enter the world of PROFIBUS and PROFINET. All attendees receive a certificate for 5.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH), just to add even more value!

But, for even greater in-depth knowledge of PROFIBUS and PROFINET, you can do no better than our 4-day Certified Network Engineer classes. 11 are scheduled, including a new class for PROFIBUS PA!

If you can't make it to a class, we've archived some webinars on relevant topics here.

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SAFETY WEBINAR IN APRIL: Since 2002, US electrical codes have permitted functional safety to be handled over a fieldbus network using safety PLCs and safety IO. On April 1st, our latest webinar will explain how PROFIsafe meets the requirements for conducting safety functions over PROFIBUS and PROFINET.  It will also briefly describe how IO and PLCs are designed to send and receive safety information. Question and Answer time is allotted at the conclusion of the presentation. Full details here.

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MULTITASKING WITH INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET: The concept of multitasking is an important one for Industrial Ethernet so Carl Henning devoted his PROFIblog to the topic recently. The main points were:

• Ethernet inherently allows multiple protocols to run at the same time over the same wire and through the same switches and other infrastructure equipment.  PROFINET, Modbus TCP, web servers/browsers, email, and Ethernet diagnostic protocols can all co-exist.
• Ethernet/IP will also co-exist on the cable, although managed switches with IGMP Snooping are needed. 
• EtherCAT, however, won't use the same infrastructure since it requires a closed network.

But, points out Carl, because you can do something does not mean you should! For more on this topic, plus other tips and advice about multi-tasking PROFINET (including how to get PROFIBUS data into your PROFINET network easily) please check out this URL.

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PROFIenergy WHITE PAPER: PI has published a White Paper called ‘THE PROFIenergy Profile: Smart Energy Management over PROFINET’ to explain how controller, network and end devices collaborate to boost energy efficiency in automation networks. The beauty of PROFIenergy is that everything happens over the network so no external hardware or wiring is needed. Surprisingly, it's the first time an open, standard way of managing energy smartly has been tried. PI, PTO's sister organization in Europe, is one of the few automation groups globally who can support such a project. With PROFINET, users can save big sums, particularly with high power devices like robot cells where up to 60% of power is consumed when production is stopped! “We are more excited about PROFIenergy than almost anything since the launch of PROFINET itself,” said PTO Executive Director Mike Bryant. “I honestly think that smart energy management with PROFIenergy is one of the big stories for 2010.” Download the White Paper here.

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IO-LINK ADDED TO TRAINING CLASSES: An education module about IO-LINK, the smart point-to-point connection system for sensors and actuators, is to be added to PTO's Training Classes. Think of IO-LINK as a fieldbus-neutral, point-to-point connection and communication method for intelligent IO. It's like HART for discrete, because it superimposes a digital signal over regular wiring. An interface box is used to connect to automation networks. One of its advantages is that configuration can be downloaded and diagnostic information uploaded through PROFINET; no separate cables need to be run. IO-LINK was developed by a Consortium which has a cooperation agreement with PI. Carl Henning has blogged about IO-LINK here. Products are available, including adapters for conventional devices and intelligent starters and contactors which deliver useful asset management information (e.g. the number of cycles).

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BLOGGING AND TWEETING WITH PTO: Tweets and Blogs are emanating from Carl Henning from just about anywhere he happens to be - mainly automation places of course, though you can't always tell! He's just started the 2010 series of Training Classes so expect a blog or two from Atlanta about now, covering the overwhelming success of the first PROFINET class of 2010. TwitterTrack here. BlogTrack here.

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INDIA: IPA (the Indian PROFIBUS, PROFINET Association) was officially founded in December 2009. It has an office in Pune. There are 15 members with more expected soon. Trade Fairs are being planned. UK: The PROFIBUS Group in the UK is organizing a series of events in 2010, notably its annual two day User Conference scheduled for 29th-30th June at Stratford-upon-Avon, and events for new users (PROFIBUS: ‘Practical Aspects of PROFIBUS & PROFINET in Factory Automation’ and ‘Practical Aspects of PROFIBUS in Process’). POLAND: Konrad Jastrzab has joined Dariusz Germanek at the Polish RPA to help promote PROFIBUS and PROFINET in Poland. KOREA: A PROFIBUS/PROFINET VIP Workshop held in December in Seoul attracted 220 delegates, far more than expected. 35% were from end user companies with the balance coming from SIs and device makers/suppliers. And finally, BRAZIL: PROFIBUS Brazil Latin America has announced its first ever User Conference, covering PROFIBUS, PROFINET and AS-interface. The event will be held 30th - 31st March in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Three stories to set you thinking about PROFIBUS:

• In Brazil, the world's biggest Ethanol plant (right) has been equipped with Smar's System 302 control system, using PROFIBUS for networking;
• Safely managing 50+ miles of Canal Bridges and Locks is the target of a unique PROFIBUS-based system being deployed in Belgium; PROFsafe is involved too.
• Australia's key mining region of Pibara is the site of a huge PROFIBUS-based system for Rio Tinto's Parabardoo FFPP plant.

LYNNE FROEHLICH: Lynne is Administrative Director of PTO. She joined in January 2002 following a lengthy spell running her own travel company with husband Jim. Those travel skills come in handy now as PTO staff hold world records for transporting themselves around North America and elsewhere in pursuit of PROFINET and PROFIBUS goals. Lynne is also responsible for financial support to the PTO Directors, and for updating the PTO web site. In spare hours she manages PTO's venue bookings and is now in process of organizing the PTO's General Assembly Meeting scheduled for August in Scottsdale. "August 3rd through 5th is GAM Week,” says Lynne. "Put it on your calendar today!"

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PROFINET FOR FUJI INVERTERS: ICC has a new interface module for Fuji Electric FRENIC-Eco inverters. It mounts directly onto an inverter’s control board and supports PROFINET IO (with PROFIdrive). Configuration and parameter monitoring/control are via a web server. A virtual keypad is provided, plus a dashboard GUI with multiple gage windows. Network timeout can be programmed for ‘fail-safe’ responses. Industrial Control Communications. ICC

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PCI Express PROFIBUS: Softing has expanded its PROFIBUS interface board offering with PCI Express 2 type interface boards. PCIe 2.0 is the latest standard for expansion boards that is available on mainstream personal computers. The range includes single and dual channel board software configurable as masters or slaves, a single channel low profile type for limited space applications, and a single channel DP slave. SOFTING

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FLEX/ INTEGRA ADAPTERS: This adapter allows up to eight Rockwell Automation FLEX and/or Integra I/O modules to interface directly with a PROFIBUS DP Master/Scanner. It’s “easy to use”, requiring only the setting of the node address and the connection of 24V DC power. The FLEX and Integra module data images are configured using standard PROFIBUS tools. The GSD file is available from ProSoft's website. PROSOFT

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PROFINET GATEWAY WITH 2-PORT SWITCH: HMS has 3 new PROFINET Anybus X-gateways, supporting PROFINET IRT. They enable easy integration of PROFIBUS, Interbus or CANopen networks into PROFINET-based applications. Typical uses include automobile manufacturing where existing fieldbus-based machinery is integrated "as is” into new PROFINET-based plant. An integrated 2-port switch allows direct integration into line topologies. HMS or email

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802.11n WIRELESS ARRIVES!: ProSoft has new 802.11n Industrial Hotspot solutions to improve wireless performance for high-bandwidth video/voice and high packet-rate control applications. They provide better signal sensitivity and range than 802.11g or 802.11b and deliver data rates up to 300 Mbps. They can also operate in the 5GHz Band if crowding is an issue. Options include Single, Dual and Watertight Dual versions. The Dual Industrial Hotspot provides two radios in one and can be used in lieu of a repeater. PROSOFT