edgeConnector integrates AB controllers into edge applications

Softing has announced the expansion of its Docker-based edgeConnector product family with the introduction of edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC, providing access to data from ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers.

With the new Docker-based software module edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC, users can easily connect to their ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers. The data from the controllers is made available on edge devices or virtual environments via OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) and Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT). This enables flexible integration into on-premises or cloud environments without modifying the existing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) configuration.

edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC is easy to configure locally via an integrated web interface. Alternatively, remote global mass configurations are possible via Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface (REST API).

There are now five edgeConnector products available for the most common control systems. Besides the new edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC, these are edgeConnector Siemens, edgeConnector 840D, edgeConnector Fanuc CNC, and edgeConnector Modbus. All edgeConnector products can be deployed very quickly thanks to containerized technology. They are operated on standard hardware and can be easily managed centrally.

The integrated MQTT publisher/subscriber functionality allows Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions to be set up flexibly. The edgeConnectors support state-of-the-art security standards such as SSL/TLS, X.509 certificates, authentication, and data encryption. This gives users a simple and secure way to integrate data from production into innovative and flexible IIoT solutions.

dataFEED OPC Suite for access to SINUMERIC 840D CNC machines

The latest version V5.35 of dataFEED OPC Suite offers comprehensive support for SINUMERIK 840D CNC machines as well as the integration of web services.

The dataFEED OPC Suite combines software solutions for OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) and OPC Classic communication as well as IoT cloud connection in a single product. With the new SINUMERIC 840D support in the dataFEED OPC Suite V5.35, users can read out all process parameters from the Numerical Control (NC) part, the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) part, and the drive data of the machines without having to interfere with the machine configuration.

Another new feature of version 5.35 is web services functionality, which enables direct access to production data via web client applications such as Web Browser, Postman, or Client for URL (cURL) and its integration into IT solutions.

The features of the new dataFEED OPC Suite V5.35 in detail:

• Full support for SINUMERIK 840D Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machines: The dataFEED OPC Suite can be used to read axis, tool, and program data as well as alarms from the NC section. Status, program sections, and alarms can be read from the PLC section.
• Integration with SIMATIC Siemens S7-300: The suite offers a seamless connection to the integrated SIMATIC Siemens S7-300 for comprehensive control and monitoring.
• Versatile application possibilities of the dataFEED OPC Server CNC: The server can be used as an OPC Classic Server or OPC UA Server and enables the seamless integration of Siemens SINUMERIK CNC controllers into modern Industry 4.0 solutions.
• Provision of production data: The suite enables the provision of production data via the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) or Representational State Transfer (REST) protocols and their transfer to IoT Cloud or Big Data applications on platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS and Siemens MindSphere.
• Integration of production data in IT solutions via web services

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