Development of smart sensing and test systems

Industrial device developers have been leveraging Single-Board Computers (SBC) for years in order to accelerate early-stage development efforts, however they commonly resort to traditional embedded processing architectures for pilot & series stages due to concerns over lack of SBC reliability & industrialization. As a result, these developers also typically defer the implementation of industrial communications protocols (e.g. PROFInet, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, etc.) to the pilot or series stage as well.

Recent offerings of industrialized SBC boast significantly reduced failure rates, widened temperature specifications, developer-friendly tool sets and a lower overall cost point. As a result, developers are reconsidering SBC even for series production to achieve better price:performance and time-to-market when working on increasingly compressed development schedules.

Ixxat INpact allowed the UltraPRO Motion Controller to integrate into almost any PLC network, expanding its global reach and flexibility among users.

Robert McCullough, Manager of Electrical Engineering, Promess

HMS Networks, a proven leader in embedded industrial communications solutions, noted this SBC trend and invested in developing the Ixxat INpact solution to provide device manufacturers an option for additional design flexibility, speed, and overall system performance. INpact leverages industry leading Anybus NP40 chip technology and industrial protocol expertise to deliver unparalleled flexibility in northbound connectivity. In addition, a time-tested PC Interface in PCI, PCIe, PCIe Mini, and M.2 form factors with robust, user-friendly driver interfaces for Linux and Windows, along with many popular RTOS systems.

Customer problem statement

Promess Incorporated is known as the manufacturer of complete turnkey monitoring and motion systems used in a wide variety of Assembly and Test applications around the world. Promess delivers complete systems including the mechanics, control electronics, all sensors, amplifiers and software. When Promess delivered their servo-based solutions to the market there was increasing demand to integrate into large complex assembly and test systems utilizing higher-end PLC’s and industrial fieldbus networks. As time went on, Promess wanted the flexibility to accommodate a wider range of customer PLC & fieldbus specifications in order to grow their business and compete in global markets.

Promess first became acquainted with HMS’ embedded protocol co-processors with their MotionPro line, which uses the HMS CompactCom line of co-processors. This solution allowed the MotionPro Motion Controller to integrate into almost any PLC network, expanding its global reach and flexibility among users.

The Promess UltraPRO Technology is a Multi-Axis Motion Control and sensing Platform designed to be used in conjunction with one or more of Promess’ Electro-Mechanical units. A Single Board Computer (SBC) was used in the UltraPRO solution due to the ease of use and faster development time of a standard PC product compared to embedded platforms. When a new application was in development and with communication to Industrial communication protocols in the specification, HMS was one of the communication solutions considered. This created a problem for integration, as the CompactCom does not utilize standard PC interfaces.

HMS solution

HMS proposed the HMS INpact Interface. The many hardware PCI profiles and Ethernet interfaces used on the INpact ensured that whatever profile was used on their final version of the SBC, a solution would be available. In addition, use of the Common Ethernet platform allowed Promess to manage & stock only one UltraPRO hardware configuration and flash the customer’s needed protocol prior to shipment. This decreased the overall COGS by increasing volume discounts. Additionally, HMS provided the INpact solution with M12 connectors, which was needed to achieve an IP67-rated solution.