Bridging the gap: Profinet for Process Automation

摘要

After safety, factory automation, and drives and motion control, Profibus International is now ready to make Profinet available for process automation. 'Protecting existing investment in skills and equipment is our highest priority in adapting our Ethernet-based Profinet technology to process automation. That is the most important message for our end users and manufacturers. The long life times of installations in process technology prevent us from introducing a paradigm shift every few years,' stresses Edgar Kuster, Chairman of Profibus International (PI). The central topic 'Profinet for Process Automation' was first addressed at a PI advisory board meeting in March 2006. PI aims to finish the specification for connecting Profibus PA and HART devices by the end of 2006; Fieldbus Foundation connectivity will be addressed in 2007. Profinet systems with comprehensive system capacities for process automation are expected in 2008 and 2009.