MTS
Systems Corp., Sensors Division has expanded its range of Industrial Ethernet
interface options by developing an R-Series sensor compatible with EtherNet/IP
devices.
"The addition of EtherNet/IP to our
product offering enables more customers to take advantage of the benefits
provided by Industrial Ethernet protocols," says Matt Hankinson, Marketing
Manager for MTS. "Our EtherNet/IP implementation features DLR (Device Level
Ring) technology to provide high-speed, high-performance communication along
with rapid network recovery."
Temposonics magnetostrictive sensors provide
high speed, accuracy and durability for linear-position sensing applications.
By offering this new interface on its R-Series models, MTS Sensors will enable
connectivity with a large installed base of control devices that utilize the
EtherNet/IP protocol. The EtherNet/IP protocol was developed by Rockwell
Automation and is managed by the ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Association).
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"We switched to a new universal hardware
platform to support different flavors of Industrial Ethernet with our sensors,"
says Hankinson. "This has enabled us to
support Ethernet/IP, where we have already had support for EtherCAT and
Ethernet Powerlink in the past."
The R-Series EtherNet/IP sensor offers high
performance, reduced cabling and lower overall system costs provided by
Industrial Ethernet. Sensors are available in a variety of mechanical styles
ranging from 25 to 20,000 mm. Position
and velocity measurements can be provided for multiple locations on the sensor
to ensure optimum control characteristics even when driving complex, multi-position
tasks.
In factory automation tasks where
interoperability is critical, the R-Series now offers interfaces to work with a
wide range of industrial PLCs and motion controllers.
Some
machines use encoders for measurement which make them much more fragile and
vulnerable to harsh operating conditions. The non-contact, magnetostrictive
technology employed in the sensors eliminates wear, and guarantees durability
and output repeatability.
The rugged, reliable, non-contact
sensor construction results in reduced maintenance and down time, while high
shock and vibration tolerance and superior EMI and noise immunity ensure
trouble-free operation. The sensors also enable customers to store pre-set
configurations for a wide variety of product shapes and sizes, reducing startup
and changeover times.
The R- sensors feature
position-sensing resolutions as low as 1 micron (0.00004
in), which can be adjusted at the factory or in the field. For most applications,
standard
RH (rod-style typically used in hydraulic cylinders) and RP (profile extrusion-style
for easy machine mounting) sensors are used with the standard-type sensor
magnets. Other housings styles, such as flexible sensing elements or detached
electronics, are available for space-constrained applications.
Available with many interface
choices including analog, SSI, DeviceNet, Profibus, CANbus, EtherCAT, POWERLINK
and now EtherNet/IP, the sensors provide smart programmability, allowing
configurations to be stored and recalled directly at the PLC / HMI for fast
setup.
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