Switch to Profinet Made Easy!

In modern production networks, machines and plants need to be connected to one another. Processes can be aligned down to the smallest detail to allow for high automation levels and short lead times. At the same time, our products enable network structures that often undergo frequent maintenance, due to new robots with frequent tool changes or add-ons during operation.

These are a few reasons installation concepts based on PROFIBUS inevitably hit a wall. However, this can be resolved with with PROFINET. This established, proven and readily available technology enables effective and efficient installation concepts to be incorporated into complex machine networks.

The benefits of PROFINET are obvious:

• The number of subscribers for the entire network is unlimited (unlike PROFIBUS, which is limited to 126 subscribers). With a PROFINET configuration, one control unit alone can accommodate 256 subscribers.
• PROFINET allows IT extensions to be easily integrated into the topology (which was not possible with PROFIBUS). Incorporating IT with PROFINET allows uncomplicated networking up to the office level.
• For PROFIBUS, all data has the same priority; with PROFINET, on the other hand, important information such as alarms or diagnostic data can be prioritized and moved to the “priority lane.”
• In PROFINET installations, addressing is done by simply allocating a name to the project (not via a DIP switch or a telegram like with PROFIBUS).
• The topology becomes more flexible (not only linear configurations are allowed like in PROFIBUS). In PROFINET installations, the use of switches makes star, tree and ring configurations possible. This increases flexibility and reduces the wiring time and effort.
• The PROFIBUS DP programs can be simply applied in PROFINET installations. The proven programs do not have to be rewritten and tested, this saves time and effort.

By switching over to PROFINET, you benefit from these additional features:

• PROFINET/PROFIsafe makes it possible to integrate safety components into installation concepts to protect both man and machine, and yet still enable efficient operation despite the highest safety levels.
• PROFINET/PROFIenergy supports energy management in production facilities. It controls energy consumption when certain systems are not being used for production, whether for scheduled and unscheduled downtimes.