Key reasons why a backward-compatible system is essential for a future-oriented manufacturing facility

July 31, 2019

Omron are committed to developing advanced technologies that maximize our customers’ potential for innovation. They invest 7% annually in research and development so that they can design and build products in-house that work together at maximum efficiency.

One of their key product development maxims is the commitment to ensuring backward compatibility so that their customers can enjoy long-term operational stability. The interoperability of their technologies protects investments in resources such as hardware, engineering, and design time.

The challenges surrounding firmware and software compatibility

Besides the hardware, there are two key components that must work together in a manufacturing system: the firmware and the software. Firmware is the code responsible for providing low-level control of a particular piece of hardware, while software is responsible for programs that run the overarching applications.

One significant problem that manufacturers face when using equipment from certain automation solution providers is that each firmware revision for a given device (PLC, drive, servo, etc.) is only compatible with one revision of the programming software and vice versa. If updates are required, it’s a challenge to keep everything working together properly.

Sysmac Studio’s backward compatibility keeps downtime to a minimum

Omron designs its controllers and its Sysmac Studio programming environment to make these headaches go away. By ensuring that controllers and other hardware components work seamlessly with older firmware versions bearing the same part number, the Sysmac platform simplifies setup and reduces the length of downtime occurrences.

Programs written with older versions of Sysmac software can be opened and edited with newer revisions, so it’s only necessary to keep the latest version installed. This makes it easy to access machines that need troubleshooting or program changes and eliminates the need to manage lists of revisions for machines, lines or the entire plant.

The ideal solution for scalable applications that require equipment mixing and matching 

In the Sysmac software, firmware is a drop-down selection in the software. This makes it easy to add new components to a system. For example, if a user has a machine controlled by a three-year-old Sysmac NX102 Machine Automation Controller and would like to add a machine safety system using Omron’s latest NX-SL5 Safety Controller, the user simply needs to open the existing NX102 project in the latest version of Sysmac Studio and add the NX-SL5.

Source

Related Articles

Changing Scene

  • Intralec Announces Leadership Transition in Northern GTA Sales Region

    Intralec Announces Leadership Transition in Northern GTA Sales Region

    Intralec has announced an upcoming leadership transition as Cameron Slade, currently Warehouse Supervisor, steps into the role of Outside Sales Representative for the Northern GTA region and North Ontario. Cameron will be filling in for Beverly Pisco, who will be beginning her maternity leave this June. Cameron brings a strong foundation in the electrical industry,… Read More…

  • Specialized Power Solutions Welcomes Jonathan Udy as New Sales Manager

    Specialized Power Solutions Welcomes Jonathan Udy as New Sales Manager

    Specialized Power Solutions is excited to welcome Jonathan Udy to their team! Jonathan joins Specialized Power Solutions with over a decade of experience in the electrical industry, beginning his career as a Journeyman Electrician working across commercial and industrial projects. He later transitioned into power distribution sales with ABB, where he spent over six years… Read More…

Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.

ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More

Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More

Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More

JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More

Latest Articles

  • Festo: Machine Safety – Why It Matters & How to Achieve It

    Festo: Machine Safety – Why It Matters & How to Achieve It

    For OEMs, machine builders, engineers, and plant managers, machine safety is more than regulatory compliance; it’s a responsibility to workers, a commitment to customers, and a strategic advantage. Every machine on the factory floor has two sides: its potential to drive productivity, and its potential to cause harm. Striking the right balance between performance and… Read More…

  • What Does Being a Gold Level Rockwell System Integrator Mean for Actemium Canada Clients?

    What Does Being a Gold Level Rockwell System Integrator Mean for Actemium Canada Clients?

    What does being a Gold Level Rockwell System Integrator mean to Actemium Canada clients? The obvious answer is that Actemium Canada brings a high level of expertise, knowledge, and experience to every project. But it also means added value in ways many people may not realize, including cost savings on hardware and an extended 3-year… Read More…