Automation Suppliers Leverage New Embedded Tech

Use of embedded devices has been core to automation since the advent of its modern forms. But more recent advances in embedded technologies, initially developed for consumer use, are starting to have a big impact on the automation technologies now being introduced.

当我为2013年2月的“自动化趋势”主题收集信息时，我遇到了几个供应商实例，这些实例已经在其产品中推出了尖端的嵌入式技术。

For example, Beckhoff is equipping all of its industrial and panel PCs with the new “Sandy Bridge” Intel processors. These new Intel processors are also making inroads into the company’s embedded PCs in the new CX2000 series, which brings multi-core processor technology to the DIN rail-mounted format.

“The real world implications of today’s multi-core processor technology are many,” says Graham Harris, president, Beckhoff Automation. “In response to this, Beckhoff has coined the phrase ‘Scientific Automation’ to describe the convergence of lab and measurement technologies with the standard automation controller.”

哈里斯说，现在有更多的工程师正在考虑软件层而不是硬件模块。他说：“这种方法更具成本效益，并为新机器技术提供了更快的推销时间。”

Beckhoff’s new TwinCAT 3 platform is an example of a product in line with the company’s view of ‘Scientific Automation’ because it can act as the catalyst to integrate previously separate technologies into the primary automation controller. According to Harris, these technologies include, but are not limited to, measurement, condition monitoring, and robotics.

“Today it is possible to implement all of these critical machine systems using a single software environment, which will spread significant efficiencies and savings across the entire enterprise,” says Harris. “When machine builders and manufacturers can actively eliminate separate hardware controllers and different software platforms, the resulting competitive advantage is immediate and considerable.”

B＆R Automation与Embedded Tech朝类似的方向移动。B＆R自动化技术总监Robert Muehlfellner表示，该公司专注于PC型体系结构，因为自动化控制（无论是在PC，面板设备还是砖式控制器中）与嵌入式PC体系结构非常相似。他说：“这意味着我们可以在单个处理器中将所有自动化功能（例如顺序逻辑控制，I/O处理和可视化）组合在一起。”

As with most new industrial technology introductions, the rise of embedded in automation is largely being driven by customer demands.

“oem厂商希望他们的machines to do more, but they don't want the complexity of spreading it over multiple processors,” says Muehlfellner. “Embedded Intel architectures enable us to integrate capabilities that used to require a separate PC connected to controller. We can now eliminate that additional PC running Windows because we can integrate functionalities like Web servers right on the control device.”

Rockwell Automation的控制和可视化业务开发总监Lee Lane补充说，随着客户的需求推动所有类型的自动化设备中嵌入式使用的使用增加，回到控制器的信息量大大增加了。

莱恩说：“过去它只是一个4-20MA信号回到控制器上，但现在是一个恒定的信息流，需要设置控制器来处理该信息。这些变化可以在我们的5370和L7X控制器中看到。作为我们如何支持这种数据增加的一个例子，我们已经从使用串行端口转移到USB端口。”