Page 92 - Food&Drink Nov-Dec 2020

TRENDS & TECHNOLOGY
The role of wireless tech
in modern production
It has been roughly a decade since the phrase “Industry 4.0” was first uttered at the legendary Hannover Fair in Germany in 2011. Digital technologies have become increasingly common in industrial environments and central to this is wireless serial communication.
For many businesses, locally and abroad, smart factories have brought renewed focus to industrial networking capabilities. Newer communication protocols and technologies such as EtherNet/IP, RFID and Bluetooth are certainly making their presence known on the factory floor.
Wireless is invaluable in any industry or application that makes regular use of motion applications with communication cables.
SMC’s EX600-W wireless fieldbus system is designed in response to the ever-growing need for reliable, wireless communication technologies on the factory floor. The system allows industrial businesses to achieve consistent, noise-free communication. Data is encrypted and is quick to connect and modify.
CABLING PROBLEMS
There are two main types of cabling used in modern industrial settings: copper and fibre optic (FO) cables. Traditionally, copper cabling has been favoured in the factory setting but more recently there have been a few shortfalls and safety concerns. It is limited in the volume of data flow that it can allow and it can present a spark risk if damaged, which makes it unsafe. And copper cabling is inherently susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other industrial applications.
FO cabling overcomes many of these problems. It has data transmission speeds of up to 10 Gbps and
can be used for much longer runs of up to 2km. FO cables address concerns around safety risks but it is more expensive and requires a specialist to assist with installation.
SIGNAL INTERFERENCE
EMI is a problem in the modern industrial environment. Electric motors are prime culprits for causing harmful EM emissions that can radiate and interfere with nearby electrical and communications networks.
For communications, this interference can mean data degradation and signal loss, which makes the performance of affected equipment become unreliable and not ideal for high-value or precision manufacturing.
Engineers should typically avoid running communication cables parallel to high-voltage
power cables, as the noise induced can cause communication loss or component damage. Yet this is the case for some industrial applications such as some industrial robotics, where wiring is confined to a set space.
MORE ABOUT THE EX600-W WIRELESS
The EX600-W Wireless system is easy to integrate into existing setups with minimal time required. The communication with remote units can begin in as little as 250ms. The base unit is connected to a standard industrial Ethernet connection such as Ethernet/IP or Profinet. The base can wirelessly communicate and control up to 127 remote units in a range of up to 10 metres.
These remote units can be fitted onto analogue, digital, and pneumatic equipment to provide control functionality of I/O and valves. The system has one IP address, so it boasts decentralised point-to- multipoint communication.
Adapted from White Paper produced by SMC EU: The Role of Wireless in Modern Production.
SMC is a member of the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA).
“Wireless is invaluable in any industry or application that makes regular use of motion applications with communication cables.”
6 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 MACHINERY MATTERS