Festo’s new PROFINET bus interfaces offer many important user features

Festo has introduced a new generation of PROFINET bus interfaces for its CPX automation platform based on the latest PROFINET controllers and software, These interfaces can replace older PROFINET interfaces on a one-to-one basis without any reconfiguration.

The latest innovation available from Festo Canada is a new generation of PROFINET bus interfaces, the FB44 and FB45, for the company’s CPX automation platform. Festo has added four key features to these devices, based on the most recent PROFINET software and controllers. A key example is S2 System Redundancy, which offers redundant protection to keep processes running during a CPU error. PROFINET remains the most popular industrial Ethernet protocol in the world and the top seller at Festo.

Reduction of engineering costs

The FB44 and FB45 have three other major features – Media Redundancy for Planned Duplication (MRPD) for uninterrupted ring redundancy, voltage monitoring, and Network Time Protocol (NTP) time synchronization. Another advantage is that the user can visualize assets, diagnostics, and process and parameter information on a web page, which reduced engineering costs. The incorporated IT services help to lessen downtime, and the integrated concept and valve diagnostics boost machine availability. Direct machine mounting is possible with the IP67 protection rating.

The S2 System Redundancy allows the process to keep running through the redundantly installed central processor when a CPU error occurs, a switch-over that happens automatically. Users can combine this feature with MRPD or MRD redundancy and its ring topology; the latter two redundancies prevent malfunctions or loss of communication via cable or device defects. These interfaces open up opportunities for the CPX platform with the PROFINET bus interfaces in the process industry when they are used with Siemens PCs, S7 controllers, and ABB control systems.

Festo prioritized one-to-one compatibility between these new nodes and their predecessors during the development process. This way, users can replace old FB34 bus interfaces on a one-to-one basis with new FB44s with no need for configuration changes. Existing data cables and connectors are still usable, and even old PROFINET .gsd files can be kept. To change the interfaces, one needs only to remove the old nodes and fit the new ones into the CPX platform or a valve terminal with an bus interface, to accommodate the PROFINET upgrade.

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