Paul Wacker

Moxa is helping meet Industry 4.0's demand for heightened visibility by launching the new NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, an enterprise-scale, out-of-the-box solution that conveniently integrates a RS-232/422/485 serial device server, a Wi-Fi client/bridge, and multiple digital I/O's into a single compact device. Deploying the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O empowers plant managers to wirelessly connect machinery to an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n network for the collection, remote monitoring, and analyzing of real-time visual insights on machine performance to ensure optimal manufacturing performance. "Today's manufacturers are under pressure to increase the productivity of every machine on the plant floor," said Paul Wacker, Product Marketing Manager for Device Connectivity. "Our new NPort provides a drop-in solution connecting existing equipment via Wi-Fi to gain valuable new insights about what is going on in each machine in real-time and how it is impacting productivity." Versatile Advantages The NPort IAW5000A-6I/O delivers a significant advantage through its versatility. Any RS-232/422/485 serial or Ethernet device in the field can be linked to a wireless device. In addition, its multiple digital I/O's make the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O ideal for industrial data acquisition where dividends are paid in heightened efficiency, reduced production downtime, and lower overall costs. Also, because it supports baudrates between 50 and 921.6 kbps, the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O ensures reliable connectivity to the widest range of devices. "Using the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, however, CNC machines can be actively monitored to acquire data via Ethernet and/or wireless communications" Flexible Application Opportunities To underscore the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O's versatility, Wacker gave the example of legacy serial CNC machines. These older, capital-extensive machines are rarely connected to a plant's network, leaving plant managers in the dark as to production status. Using the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, however, CNC machines can be actively monitored to acquire data via Ethernet and/or wireless communications. Wacker also provided the example of installing the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O as a value-added service in a large parking lot. Detectors built into the back of individual parking spaces could be wirelessly read by the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O to let the head office know which parking spaces are taken and which are open. Available spaces can be displayed on a screen at parking lot entrances to assist drivers and improve customer satisfaction. Improve Equipment Effectiveness Overall Equipment Effectiveness or "OEE" is a key operational metric that helps plant managers monitor the performance of particular machines or production lines. Despite the numerous gains realized through Industry 4.0 technology, OEE remains stagnant at 60 percent or less for the majority of global manufacturers. The NPort IAW5000A-6I/O can help boost underperforming OEE by providing real-time visibility into machine status, allowing a plant manager to accurately adjust the production schedule for improved optimization and decreased overhead costs. Integrated Critical Functions Gone are the days of spending the time to configure three different devices, going back and forth between different vendors for technical support, and buying different spare parts to maintain the different devices. With the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, all three critical functions -- RS-232/422/485 serial device server, Wi-Fi client/bridge and digital I/O -- are integrated so that installation, troubleshooting and maintenance costs are dramatically reduced when compared to using two or three separate devices. "Moxa's integrated 3-in-1 solution also decreases design time, both for installation and maintenance" Additionally, the space-saving 3-in-1 design makes the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O ideal for refurbishment of older machinery, which typically have space limitations, especially when a variety of machines have already been installed. Moxa's integrated 3-in-1 solution also decreases design time, both for installation and maintenance, when compared to implementing after-market solutions from multiple suppliers. Protected From Power Surges A major threat thwarted by the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O is damage from power surges. Devices installed in industrial environments experience a high risk of surge due to electromagnetic pulses produced from motors switching on and off. The NPort IAW5000A-6I/O Series offers 4 kV surge protection for serial lines to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes and to damp out electrical noise. Key features Link any RS-232/422/485 serial or Ethernet device to an Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n network Serial device server with Virtual COM-port or TCP/UDP access Integrated digital I/O: 4 in and 2 out Redundant dual DC power inputs and support for relay output 4 kV serial surge protection Secure data access with WPA2 encryption with RADIUS authentication microSD card slot for configuration backup Wireless Client/Bridge function for flexible integration

Until now, the cost of Gigabit fiber conversion was prohibitively high for many industrial users when network links needed to be extended beyond the 100-meter limit imposed by UTP copper cable. To combat this problem, Moxa recently introduced its IMC-21GA Gigabit Ethernet-to-fiber media converter engineered for harsh industrial environments. Especially effective in high-bandwidth applications, such as megapixel machine vision inspection or IP video surveillance, the IMC-21GA is an exceptionally full-featured and cost-effective option for converters in its class, with an MSRP for entry-level models beginning at under $200 (USD). Engineered For Harsh Iindustrial Environments The IMC-21GA provides reliable and transparent conversion of 1000BaseT(X) to 1000Base-SX/LX or selectSFP module media, so links can be extended to allow real-time, end-to-end management of devices several miles away, while also protecting data from noise and interference better than copper. Taking this step also future proofs the network with additional bandwidth capacity and scalability. Both IEEE 802.3az (Energy Efficient Ethernet) and 10K jumbo frames are supported, resulting in reduced power usage and enhanced transmission performance by increasing the networks' throughput and eliminating congestion. Like all Moxa networking solutions, the new IMC-21GA media converter is industrial grade. It comes equipped with a relay output warning alarm, and is available in models that support a standard operating temperature range of 0° to 60°C (32° to 140° F), and an extended operating temperature range of -40 to 75°C (-40° to 167° F). The converter's advanced Link Fault Pass-through monitors the state of the link to end devices and ensures that each end-point knows whether the entire link is operational. Highlights: Supports 1000Base-SX/LX with SC connector, or SFP slot Link Fault Pass-through (LFP) 10K jumbo frame Redundant power input -40 to 75°C operating temperature range (T models) Supports Energy Efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az) Paul Wacker, Product Marketing Manager for Device Connectivity for Moxa Industrial Wireless: "Network connectivity is more important than ever for our users to benefit from the Industrial Internet of Things. The IMC-21GA is an attractive new option for engineers trying to establish reliable high bandwidth network connectivity over long distances, such as for remote IP cameras.”

Moxa, Inc., a global provider of communications technology for the Industrial Internet of Things, is helping connect PROFIBUS devices with its ICF-1180I and ICF-1280I PROFIBUS-to-Fiber converters, which now feature Class 1 Div 2, IEC Ex, and ATEX certification for deployment in hazardous locations including upstream and downstream petrochemical processing, chemical plants, and other areas where explosive vapors are present. Paul Wacker, Product Marketing Manager for Moxa explained: "As the world moves towards the Industrial Internet of Things, one of the biggest challenges to overcome is ensuring reliable communications between industrial devices, especially in remote and/or hazardous locations. Moxa is continuing to invest in ways that make it easier for our clients to establish and manage data communications with their devices." Extend And Protect PROFIBUS Connections PROFIBUS is the world's most widely used fieldbus and especially common in the oil and gas industry. With the newly certified ICF-1180I and ICF-1280I, oil and gas users can now use optical fiber to connect their PROFIBUS devices and controllers in remote or hazardous locations. The industrial-hardened units offer 2 kV isolation protection for the PROFIBUS system and dual power inputs to ensure non-stop communications. Rated for operation in environments ranging from -40 to 75°C, both units are capable of distances up to 4 km (2.5 miles) on multi-mode fiber, or up to 45 km (28 miles) on single-mode fiber in both ordinary and hazardous applications, a first for the industry. The ICF-1180I extends connections over a single optical fiber port, whereas the ICF-1280I extends connections over two optical fiber ports that can be arranged in a redundant ring for extremely high communications reliability. Detects Device Malfunctions In addition to hazardous area certification, the ICF-1180I and ICF-1280I offer protection from bus faults. Conventional media converters can let the faults pass through the fiber, leading to communication ceasing across the entire system. With the entire network is down, it is extremely difficult for the engineer to locate the failed device. To eliminate this costly problem, the ICF-1180I and ICF-1280I work transparently to detect and recognize bus faults. If the bus fails on one side, the issue will not propagate through the ICF units and affect additional bus segments. In addition, the ICF units will also trigger an alarm notification to the field engineer on the location of the failure so that it can be quickly replaced with minimal downtime.

Moxa continues to invest in and build on its strength in serial communications with the release of three new PCI Express x1 serial cards that take advantage of new patent-pending intelligent RS-485 technology. This release sends a powerful message about Moxa's commitment to customers that require serial communications products, especially when many manufacturers have already reduced or abandoned support completely. RS-485 remains a top choice for engineers who need to create small, private device networks for automation applications, and is used extensively for industrial field applications that require stable data transmission over relatively long distances. The three new PCI Express x1 boards are compatible with the latest versions of Windows, Linux and Unix operating systems, assuring total compatibility. Moxa has also incorporated a new patent-pending intelligent "one-click" technology that analyses network topology and automatically configures terminators and resistors to optimal settings. On-board LED display and troubleshooting management software reduces maintenance time and cost, while 128-byte FIFO minimizes data loss while optimising host efficiency and data integrity. Bi-directional speeds up to 921.6 Kbps achieve fast communications for industrial and embedded applications. "After 25 years, Moxa is still introducing innovative and user-friendly products to serve our serial partners, and today offers over 500 models of serial/USB connectivity products," said Paul Wacker, Product Marketing Manager, Moxa. "Our new patent-pending Intelligent RS-485 technology greatly reduces time and effort of installing termination and bias resistors to validate network operation, making these new boards ideal for use by industrial automation system manufacturers and system integrators." The three new boards are: CP-116E-A: 16 port RS-232/422/485 PCIe x1 compliant board with 15 kV ESD and 4kV surge protection onboard; CP-118E-A-I and CP-138E-A-I: 8-port 3-in-1, RS-422/485 PCI Express board with 4 kV surge protection and 2 kV electrical isolation; CP-134EL-A-I: 4-port RS-422/485 PCI Express board with 4 kV surge and 2 kV electrical isolation With thousands of customer references throughout the United States, Europe, China, and the Asian-Pacific region, Moxa is the world leader in serial connectivity solutions. Moxa assists serial communications customers in finding perfect-fit solutions for industrial applications, such as factory automation, transportation automation, power automation, and utility automation systems. Moxa has release a statement on their long-term commitment to serial product availability, which can be found online on the page.