Adapter

How proven machines become fit for Industry 4.0

When companies order new machines, they are usually IIOT-ready. They are equipped with hardware, firmware and software so that they can be quickly integrated into the modern infrastructure of Industry 4.0. Standardized interfaces such as OPC UA ensure smooth communication between the connected machines and systems. To ensure that older, highly reliable machines keep pace with rapid development, Accon offers powerful solutions such as the Accon NetLink PRO compact adapter.

Developed specifically for Siemens S7 PLCs and compatible with Sinumerik machine tool controls, this smart piece of hardware is an elegant and cost-effective solution for connecting older, but proven machines to the new technology and infrastructure of the IIOT. In combination with other software from Accon, such as the Accon AGLink communication library and Accon OPC UA Server, the Accon NetLink PRO compact network adapter provides users with a powerful package for integrating older machines via Ethernet. They can continue to be operated in this way for many years.

Retrofit can be implemented with manageable effort

Such a retrofit is an attractive alternative to new purchases, especially for medium-sized companies, as these can be extremely expensive and time-consuming. Comprehensive modernizations also require a large amount of manpower, which is then lacking elsewhere. However, if older machine controls or PLCs can be made fit for modern communication, a lot of time and money can be saved. The Accon NetLink PRO compact adapter enables exactly that by integrating machines into the Ethernet, even if they have older control types from the S7 or Sinumerik series and do not have any of the current interfaces.

As an all-rounder, the Accon NetLink PRO compact can be connected to the PLC via MPI, Profibus and PPI, and it automatically recognizes its current bus settings. It is powered by the CPU, and an external power supply (24 VDC) is available as an option. An outstanding feature: The adapter, which relies on the know-how of Accon's Accon AGLink communication library, supports all common operating systems in principle. This is made possible by a driver for the Siemens Engineering development environments such as STEP7©, WinCC or the TIA Portal. The Accon NetLink PRO compact is supported by all software solutions from Accon, including Accon OPC UA Server.

Thanks to its many advantages, the communication and programming adapter has long since established itself in the world of Industry 4.0 and its sectors. It is small, handy, light, and in addition to its ease of use, it is above all its versatility that has made it a bestseller in Accon's portfolio.