With the development trend of industrial control networking, traditional stand-alone control systems can no longer meet the requirements of modern enterprises for efficient, flexible, and intelligent production management. The introduction of industrial control networks enables information sharing and collaborative control among various devices, while also providing enterprises with the means to achieve integrated management and control and comprehensive automation. This integration and automation has become an important goal and direction for the informatization of modern enterprises.
In the field of industrial automation, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), CNC (Civil Numerical Control System), and robot control technologies are the most mature and widely used technologies. They play a crucial role in the control, operation, and monitoring of production lines, while control networks provide them with more efficient and flexible communication methods, thereby further improving production efficiency and quality.
Industrial control networks are an important component of industrial automation, connecting various devices and systems to achieve information and control exchange. Industrial control network technologies can be divided into the following categories:
Fieldbus technology: Fieldbus is a network technology used for real-time communication and is widely used for connecting field devices in the field of industrial automation. Common fieldbus technologies include PROFIBUS, CANopen, DeviceNet, Modbus, Ethernet/IP, and Profinet.
Industrial Ethernet technology: Industrial Ethernet is a high-speed industrial control network technology based on Ethernet, used for control, data acquisition, and monitoring functions. It can use various transmission media, including twisted-pair cables and fiber optics. Common industrial Ethernet technologies include EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, PROFINET, and EtherCAT. Different fieldbuses and network protocols are suitable for different scenarios and applications. For example, PROFIBUS and PROFINet are suitable for Siemens equipment, while DeviceNet, ControlNet, and EtherNetIP are suitable for AB equipment.
Wireless transmission technology: With the continuous development of wireless communication technology, wireless transmission technology has been widely used in industrial automation to achieve wireless data acquisition, monitoring, and control functions. Common wireless transmission technologies include WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and
RFID.
Cloud platform technology: With the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing technologies, cloud platform technology has begun to be applied in the field of industrial automation. It enables remote monitoring, data storage, and analysis, improving the intelligence and informatization level of industrial automation systems.
Industrial control networks are widely used in various control applications, including but not limited to motor drives and controls, electrical/transformer/distribution/relay protection devices, manufacturing equipment, aerospace equipment, ships, and armored vehicles. In the machinery manufacturing industry, various CNC, PLC, and robotic processing equipment and automated production lines are also integrated using various industrial control network technologies.
With the opening of industrial control network protocols and the emergence of intelligent slave products, the networking transformation of industrial control systems is driving the development and transformation of the automation field. In this transformation and development, mastering industrial control network technologies is essential.
