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For nearly two decades, Spectrum CNC Technologies has been revolutionizing the computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tool industry. Its software-based machine tool communications system, MultiDNC, was the first product on the market to enable simultaneous uploads, downloads and dripfeeding of data to multiple CNC controls. Over the years, Spectrum has continued the revolution with innovative products, services and unbeatable support for the best overall value available in the industry. Two years ago, Spectrum began development on a wirelss solution for its Multi-DNC system, something its customers had been asking for. Spectrum knew that a wireless industrial automation solution could bring many new and compelling benefits, including simplified and less costly installation, increased reliability and enhanced flexibility for machine movement. Spectrum CNC also knew that a wireless solution for Multi-DNC would position the company for strong growth. However, company executives did not want to rush to market with an unreliable system. Having worked with Lantronix in the past, Spectrum was confident that Lantronix could recommend the best product to embed wireless networking capabilities into its Multi-DNC system.

Help GrassAds enhance the wireless communication between its painting robots and control systems for better quality performance in highly congested areas. 

Quadlogic Controls is North America’s leading provider of Power Line Communications metering technology. The company’s digital electric Advanced Intelligent Smart Submetering Systems are in use in high-rise office, residential, commercial, and industrial facilities across the U.S. and Canada. In the face of rising energy costs, deregulated markets and complex energy pricing, the data provided by Quadlogic’s metering systems is critical to an organization’s energy management decisions. Quadlogic’s patented Power Line Communications technology utilizes a building’s existing power lines to transmit metered data, so no additional wiring or meter readers are required. When the system was first developed more than 25 years ago, it used a serial device via a telephone modem to enable communications with the outside world. As technology advanced and customer preference shifted from telephone service to Internet, the ability to offer network-enabled metering technology became an imperative if Quadlogic was to remain competitive. The decision was made to integrate the capability into its next-generation Power Line Communications system.

By network-enabling industrial automation equipment, important tasks such as uploading/downloading programs, communicating between controllers, and generating e-mail alerts become possible. Unfortunately, the resources needed to design a solution that can seamlessly tie together a wide diversity of network environments that are widely dispersed, plus rapildly deploy that solution, can present a costly challenge to many equipment manufacturers. Virtually all of Rockwell Automation’s customers have widely dispersed and disparate network environments with a mix of 10Mb and 100Mb Ethernet devices. Having connectivity that would seamlessly accommodate either Ethernet standard became a necessity. Therefore, the company determined that a 10/100Mb Ethernet auto switching capability was required for the ENI interface. Two significant challenges faced the Rockwell design team. First, the small “footprint” of the ENI packaging made the task of finding a networking solution that would fit into the product design very daunting. In addition, time-to-market was a driving factor. In a highly competitive market, Rockwell Automation needed to deliver their network enabled controller products as quickly as possible, and could not afford long development cycles to integrate networking capabilities.

Whether sensors are stand-alone, connected to PLCs, interfaced to PCs or tied directly to networks, these devices can be found in a multitude of electronics that affect daily life – from washing machines to windshield wiper blades. Although there are a number of ways to add sensor data to a system, designers and users want to keep the sensor-to-system interface process as easy as possible, and, in many cases, users want this information to be accessible via the Internet.In recent years, the IEEE’s (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering) approval of multiple standards, coupled with the increase of factory automation suppliers differentiating themselves by developing different communications protocols, has resulted in over 50 different hardware and software interface protocols. What initially was an opportunity for factory automation suppliers to provide enhanced new features to their customers has become a challenge for sensor manufacturers. It is increasingly difficult to develop sensor solutions that will interface with all applicable protocols. To help alleviate this problem, smart sensor technology pioneer, Sensor Synergy, developed a near-universal sensor-to-Internet solution utilizing Lantronix Device Networking technologies.