Simple communication via Ethernet in RFID applications using TCP/IP

Siemens Industry, Inc. has released a new communication module specifically geared to connecting RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) read/write devices to Ethernet networks. According to Ed Housler, business manager for Siemens, the Simatic RF182C is designed for Ethernet communications environments, is based on TCP/IP protocols, and uses state of the art XML messaging technology. “The goal with this device is to simplify Ethernet communications for factory floor RFID applications.... Read More

Choosing the Right Path: Greenboard Controllers or COTS Controllers?

Once upon a time OEMs only had one approach to planning and commissioning a build project and nowhere in that approach was there a multiple choice option for controller selection. You had to design and develop your own “green board” based on your technological requirements. To be sure, this approach has its advantages. For example: a proprietary, custom designed controller will be tightly focused on the project’s exact requirements. However, it has its disadvantages too... Read More

Wireless Integration Ensures Wastewater Plant Reaches Its Upgrade Goals

Upgrading the control system for a municipal wastewater system was going to be costly and time consuming until facilities engineers reviewed available wireless technologies. The Persigo Waste Water Treatment Plant serves the City of Grand Junction, Colo., and the surrounding communities. The facility, which cost about $28 million, was put into service on Jan. 16, 1984. After two decades of operation, the existing control infrastructure was in need of replacement and upgrade. Although,... Read More

CP343-1 ERPC and deviceWISE: Improving plant-to-enterprise connectivity and machine-to-machine communications

Today it is getting more and more important to have a close coupling between the production process and the IT-systems. Data needs to be provided in real-time from the plant-floor in order to make the right strategic decisions at the enterprise level. Siemens, in cooperation with ILS technology, has developed a PLC-based solution which allows the user to connect the Siemens S7-300 PLC via the new CP343-1 ERPC and the software deviceWISE directly to a database (e.g. Oracle, MySQL,... Read More

Navigating “Buy American” Regulations: Taking the Complexity Out of ARRA

Despite what many people seem to think, “Buy American” is not new. It did not just appear along with the billions of Federal dollars injected into the economy over the past year to help stave off a global depression. The United States Government has long had a policy for preferring to buy goods and services from American companies rather than their foreign competitors. Indeed, Buy American has been a regular part of contracting with the US government for decades, so why does... Read More

New CPU Enhancements – S7-300 PROFINET CPUs now with 2xEthernet ports

Siemens has radically updated its S7-300 family of modular controllers – increasing speed, adding memory and dramatically improving functionality. At the same time, the controllers’ footprint has been substantially reduced and pricing kept at previous levels. The four most recent updates listed below were released in October: -  CPU 315-2 PN/DP -  CPU 315F-2 PN/DP -  CPU 317-2 PN/DP -  CPU 317F-2 PN/DP “The performance of these CPUs has increased significantly,” according... Read More