Understanding digital transformation and industrial automation in Industry 4.0

Standard industrial Ethernet solutions have continued to advance over time and are used in most modern automated applications. However, traditional technologies are not equipped to overcome present limitations to offer seamless connectivity, which can boost efficiency and reliability to levels that turn smart factories into fully fledged e-F@ctories.

The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) is a network of industrial automation specialists that was founded to promote the adoption of open network technologies and simplify interoperability. Even more, we are committed to helping device vendors develop compatible products, certify them as well as enhance their market reach.

Within our organization, we support the development of pioneering industrial automation applications by providing state-of-the-art, futureproof network technologies and the knowledge to use them. We have been doing this from our first solution, CC-Link, all the way through our latest offering, CC-Link IE TSN, delivering greater interconnectivity and interoperability with each new release.

Interconnectivity and interoperability of a company’s network should be its strength… not its weakness

Today, many factories are still fragmented, which requires machine builders and end users to carefully consider the individual requirements of a network and technologies available to them, when embarking on a journey of digital transformation to smart manufacturing.

An example of this is the application of Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) which has been widely used throughout information technology (IT) to help engineers gain a unique insight into the health and performance of their networks and devices, however the operational technology (OT) side has never been able to benefit from it.

By selecting the CLPA’s family of network technologies, machine builders and end users are a step closer to achieving the unified architectures of the future

Thanks to one of the industry’s most advanced network technologies, CC-Link IE TSN, it is now possible to use SNMP to enhance industrial automation and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications.

CC-Link IE TSN is the first open network technology to combine gigabit Ethernet bandwidth with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) allowing easier IT/OT integration in smart manufacturing to provide:

·????????Improved productivity

·????????Connection reliability

·????????Greater real-time performance

·????????Faster speeds with a larger bandwidth

·????????Higher accuracy in synchronization

·????????Better third-party network integration

·????????Reduced total costs

The CLPA engages with its partners to drive key initiatives that deliver secure and seamless connectivity

In addition to incorporating valuable protocols, we believe that interoperability should be achieved by establishing meaningful collaborations with other prominent organizations.

This is why we have developed a joint specification with PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) as well as a companion specification in association with the OPC Foundation.

In addition to this, we are part of the TSN Industrial Automation Conformance Collaboration (TIACC). The initiative was formed as an industry wide initiative to ensure interoperability, compatibility, and unified networking architectures.

This is in response to increased demand for IEC/IEEE 60802 TSN products, as the need for improved infrastructure grows with the IIoT within digital manufacturing. In effect, the resulting methodology and practices developed by the TIACC will be released for use to the entire industrial automation ecosystem to promote the alignment of TSN-compatible solutions from different vendors.

How CLPA membership can help you enable the e-F@ctories of the future

The reality is that only an advanced network technology with the needs of users in mind will enable the transition from just a smart factory to a highly productive e-F@ctory.

Because we offer access to all of these projects and partnerships that advance interconnectivity, CLPA members will always have access to the newest network technologies and assistance with development, compliance, and deployment.

Click here to learn more about our membership options and to start supporting your customers e-F@ctory journeys.