The Role of Network Products in Industrial Automation

We need network products to automate the network to increase efficiency and functions. Generally, they are used in virtualizing networks. Industrial companies want to improve their production system, and they aim, with this new technology, to reach a vast stream of new data, constant visibility, and remote access to systems by industrial automation. Industrial automation reduces employee costs also. 

Thanks to Industrial Revolution, industry has mechanized, and today we can get cheap and various foods. But still, this technology needs a worker to manage and control it. We intend to add a control loop to machine operation with industrial automation. So, errors are reduced, and industries can operate 24 hours and control remotely. In addition, there is a negative side to industrial automation. Some people have negative thoughts about some ethical reasons, and it has high initial costs and reduces employment. But automation is one of the necessities of a competitive industry. 

Automation is one step further than mechanization. In mechanization, you need people to conduct the system. But in automation, logical programs take over. We can say that industrial automation is a process that has computers and programs instead of human thinking. 

There is no doubt that industrial automation increases productivity, the quality of products, and the level of safety. Industrial automation also optimizes operational costs. 

There are Three Types of Industrial Automation

Fixed/Hard Automation

With this type of automation, the aim is to perform repetitive movements and get many products. This type of automation is designed for producing a particular kind of product. It is hard to change the product's design when you use this type.

Programmable Automation

This automation is suitable for products that have medium to high volume. But if you want to produce a new product, you can keep automation the same; you must set it up again.

Flexible/Soft Automation

Flexible/Soft Automation system has control equipment to make changes to product design. Human operators can change the codes and give the automation system a particular command. This is how to make changes to product design. With this automation system, you can produce different types of products.

The Latest Network Technologies for Industrial Automation

As we mentioned, there are advantages and disadvantages of industrial automation. The network technology for industrial automation changes day by day. So, in various industries, efficiency and productivity increase. There are so many developments in network technology for industrial automation, but we can mention some.

5G Technology

5G means 5th generation cellular network technology. It makes it possible to transfer data very fast. So, 5G improves the performance of industrial apps. 

Time Sensitive Networking (TSN)

Time Sensitive Networking is a technology providing deterministic messaging on standard ethernet. Time is the most essential aspect of this technology. Time Sensitive Networking technology offers to transfer the message in a certain amount of time. Predictability increases efficiency. Time Sensitive Networking is crucial for the fields that use deterministic communication, such as aerospace, automotive, transportation, etc. 

OPC Unified Architecture

OPC Unified Architecture is a technology that allows transferring data between different devices, systems, and applications. OPC Unified Architecture can be used to reach other devices of the factory to get data for better decision-making. 

EtherCAT

EtherCAT is a technology that exchanges information between sensors, actuators, and controllers efficiently and quickly. EtherCAT uses standard Ethernet cables and can transfer large amounts of data. It makes EtherCAT suitable for industrial automation applications in which timing and synchronization are essential. Thanks to EtherCAT, devices can directly communicate without any controller. 

Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest version of Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi 6 makes data transfer faster, and network capacity and performance increase. Compared to Wi-Fi 5, this improvement occurs thanks to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO). These technologies allow multiple devices to use the same Wi-Fi channel. For being compatible with smartphones, laptops, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and industrial automation systems, Wi-Fi 6 has Target Wake Time and improved security protocols.

Industrial Switches, Programmable Logic Controllers, Industrial Ethernet

Industrial Switches

Industrial Switches are switches for industrial purposes of usage. They resist extreme temperatures and vibration because they are designed to meet high demands. Industrial switches exchange information between sensors, actuators, and controllers efficiently and quickly.

Industrial switches generally have robust metal casings because they have to resist dust, water, and extreme temperatures. 

If you want to buy one of them, you can give a chance to Cisco Catalyst C9200-24T Layer 3 Switch.

Cisco Catalyst C9200-24T Layer 3 Switch

Cisco Catalyst C9200-24T Layer 3 Switch is an industrial switch with 24 Ethernet ports. With these ports, transfer speeds can reach up to 1 Gbps. It is suitable for medium or large networks. In addition to that, you can configure Cisco Catalyst C9200-24T Layer 3 Switch for layer 2 or 3 switching. So Cisco Catalyst C9200-24T Layer 3 Switch can be compatible with advanced routing protocols.

Cisco Catalyst C9200-24T Layer 3 Switch is the best-selling industrial switch, offering security, service quality, and management features. 

Programmable Logic Controllers

Programmable Logic Controllers are special computers for controlling and monitoring processes in industrial automation systems. Programmable Logic Controllers can be programmable as you can understand by name. They are generally used for dangerous tasks.

Programmable Logic Controllers consist of CPUs, inputs and outputs, and communication interfaces. They use various programming languages to create complex control systems such as motion control systems, process control systems, batch control systems, etc. 

Industrial Ethernet

Industrial Ethernet is a network that is used in industrial automation systems. Industrial Ethernet is ethernet that we employ in homes and offices. But, industrial ethernet is made to meet the specific needs of industrial automatization, such as high reliability, real-time communication, and resistance to extreme environmental factors. 

You can use industrial ethernet to connect so many devices. One of them is the programmable logic controller. It also has advanced features such as time synchronization.

To ensure these features, there are some protocols that industrial ethernet needs. PROFINET®, EtherNet/IP®, EtherCAT®, SERCOS III, and POWERLINK® are some of them. Thanks to industrial ethernet, data transmission speed ranges from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps.

We use many differences between ethernet in homes and offices, but we count some of them. We can say that industrial ethernet is made by meeting specific needs about industrial automation.