What really counts? High performance and low costs

Automation technology is facing a fundamental change.These changes are driven by information technologies and an immense pressure on costs. This is why decentralization of intelligence on the field level is set to continue unabated. The obvious reason is the fact that simple vertical integration via bus systems, such as sercos interface, offers added value and saves costs.

Communication technology is also growing in importance in factory automation. Availability of ever more powerful computer systems, the need to access process data quickly and comprehensively, as well as the increased networking of global markets, result in constant further developments to communication networks in offices and production areas. As a result, information must be provided and exchanged on various levels when it comes to integrated automation of industrial firms. This begins with individual sensors and actuators, is continued in individual controls (such as CNC and PLC), and ends on the process and plant management level. Connections are also established for specific tasks, such as remote diagnosis, using public communication networks like ISDN or the Internet.