Software provides a single development environment

A B and R Industrial Automation Corp product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 28, 2008

By using a single tool, machine manufacturers no longer have to spend large amounts of money to implement interfaces between the controllers, drives and visualisation application.

B and R Industrial Automation produces an integral software tool designed to cover all automation tasks.

By using a single tool, machine manufacturers no longer have to spend large amounts of money to implement interfaces between the controllers, drives and visualisation application.

Innovative manufacturers generally invest heavily in developing, maintaining and updating application software.

To secure this investment over the long-term, characteristics like modularity, scalability and reusability of software modules and functions are becoming increasingly important.

Software needs to be flexible when it comes to machine configurations and options.

Connecting ERP systems, E-CAD tools and automation tools enables the creation of individual machine software based on automated processes.

With Automation Studio, B and R Industrial Automation provides a single development environment for control, visualisation, motion control and communication tasks.

All standardised IEC editors, a completely integrated ANSI C compiler and debugger, graphic configuration for I/O points and axes and integrated configuration of machine visualisation systems accompany the customer from the programming and commissioning phases all the way to production and service.

Many advanced functions for temperature control, drive technology and fieldbus communication are already included in the standard Automation Studio package.

Automation Studio users can now develop their automation projects faster, maintain them more reliably and the open software design provides a system that can be integrated seamlessly into existing processes.

A network-wide real-time communication system is needed in addition to a software tool.

With Powerlink, B and R Industrial Automation has offered Ethernet-based real-time communication for the last five years.

This technology has now established itself on the market.

In the meantime, more than 40,000 series production machines have been set up and are being used in various industries.

In addition to B and R Industrial Automation, many automation manufacturers are relying on this open technology.

The scalability of the software is complemented by the modularity of the hardware.

IP20 and IP67 I/O offer a high level of flexibility and can be scaled using small slices or compact blocks and can be linked to the controller using fieldbus connections or direct coupling.

Many options are available to customers for visualisation of machine processes, from compact power panels to high-performance industrial PCs with Soft PLC.

Of course, it's possible to implement all standard display and operating variations using keypads and touch screens.

On request, visualisation system panels can be matched to a machine manufacturer's corporate design.

The use of highly dynamic servo drives in combination with synchronous, induction, torque or linear motors creates the basis for innovative drive technology.

Ssoftware functions for co-ordinated movements, CNC applications and robotics functions complete the motion package, allowing extremely efficient drive solutions.