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Network portal offers ‘new approach to Ethernet comms’
Published:  22 May, 2023

Parker Hannifin has announced the arrival in Europe of a new approach to Ethernet communications that, it says, reformulates and transforms machine I/O architecture. It claims that the modular PCH Network Portal, which supports Ethernet protocols and IO-Link communications, will cut machine costs, start-up times and downtime

The portal, which connects to five sizes of Parker’s H Series ISO pneumatic valves, has a fixed footprint and positions for three communications modules with differing capabilities and port configurations, which are chosen when ordering the portal. The device connects to PLCs, Ethernet networks or USB cables, or via Bluetooth to mobile devices. Each port can be configured to meet the user’s needs at the click of a button or via software. Users can set the ports to be a digital inputs or outputs, or IO-Link masters.

The configurable I/O with PNP/NPN circuitry switching and IO-Link on each port simplify machine design changes. Built-in programming functions – such as de-bounce timers and time-stamped rolling 40 errors, warnings and events logs – make troubleshooting and integration easy, even for inexperienced programmers. Users can configure and troubleshoot the portal via a laptop, tablet or phone using secure, lockable Bluetooth connections.

The IP65-protected, weld-splatter-resistant portal supports the EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP and EtherCat protocols, making it suitable for flexible applications, such as:

♦  where machine changes are common;

♦  where PLCs are not always accessible; or

Parker says its network portal paves the way to optimised machine architectures and higher levels of configurability

♦  where plant floor obstacles make set up, configuration and troubleshooting time-consuming.

“Whether you are a systems integrator looking to minimise machine costs, a controls engineer seeking shorter start-up times, or a maintenance professional looking to decrease downtime, the flexible design, intuitive interfaces and streamlined diagnostics offered by PCH Network Portal will add value to your project,” says Patrick Berdal, product manager in Parker’s European Electric Motion & Pneumatic Division.

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