Comtrol's DeviceMaster UP Multi-Protocol industrial Ethernet gateway was adopted by Smart Papers Corporation. The flexible device server enables communications between serial devices residing on the factory floor and PLCs supporting the EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, or Modbus/TCP industrial protocols.
Organizations employing sophisticated automation systems for manufacturing, distribution and warehousing have historically been hampered by technical and feasibility issues connecting devices, such as bar code scanners, RFID readers and other devices, to PLCs within the enterprise due to incompatibility with industrial automation control systems.
DeviceMaster UP is a network-attached device server that hosts an industrial Ethernet engine and translates device-to-PLC communications. The DeviceMaster allows users to attach RFID equipment, bar code scanners, displays and in-line scales to their industrial Ethernet network. The DeviceMaster UP family of products includes one and four-port models.
"We needed a way to add multiple serial ports connecting bar code scanners and printers to help improve product quality assurance and gain more detailed manufacturing lot information," said Bill Granzin of SMART Papers.
The industrial ethernet gateway is a way for OEMs and system integrators to offer an embedded universal method to connect factory floor serial devices and PLCs.
"With DeviceMaster UP, organizations don't need to be slaves to industrial automation protocols," said Bradford Beale of Comtrol. "DeviceMaster UP enables plant floor devices and PLCs to speak the same network language, providing a fast and simple way to access raw data without a large capital investment."
DeviceMaster UP connects up to four devices to an industrial Ethernet network such as EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, or Modbus/TCP. PortVision, Comtrol's device management software, gives network administrators a graphical and convenient way to remotely configure, monitor, and manage devices. An integrated web server enables browser-based configuration. PLC example programs illustrate communications between DeviceMaster UP and many widely-used PLCs. The product supports RS-232/422/485 communication modes.
Comtrol provides device connectivity, data communication, and industrial automation technologies.