In Brief

• PLCopen has published a new part of its motion control specification, covering function blocks for homing procedures. Eight different pre-defined homing modes are defined in Part 5. A new version of Part 1 (basics) has also been published, adding some features and ironing out inconsistencies.

• B&R (Bernecker & Rainer) and KW-Software have announced a long-term strategic co-operation to work together on B&R`s SafeLogic safety-related automation system. Data will be carried by a safe version of Ethernet Powerlink called Ethernet Powerlink Safety.

• The Fieldbus Foundation has revealed that at the end of 2004, more than 500,000 Fieldbus Foundation-compliant devices, and 8,000 FF systems had been shipped or installed.

• Fairchild Semiconductor is expanding its European power design and application laboratory to develop systems for motion and motor control. The 18-month-old Global Power Resource centre, located in Germany, will recruit motion engineers and invest in new equipment.

• ISA - the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society - is considering launching a service to test compliance with certain of its standards. The ISA is recognised globally as a standards-writing organisation and says that developing a compliance programme would give it a new role, as well as giving standards-users greater confidence in compliant hardware and software.

• Interbus Safety, the new safety version of the Interbus network technology, has been certified by Germany`s TÜV and the German Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for use in safety applications up to SIL 3 (EN 61508) and Category 4 (EN 954-1). The products tested included a control board with an integrated safety controller, a safe I/O module with IP67 protection, and safe software function blocks - developed jointly by Phoenix Contact and KW-Software.