Siemens Introduces EtherCAT Servo Drive with Enhanced Communication
[Introduction] Siemens S120’s new EtherCAT interface communication board has officially been released, allowing direct connection of the S120 to the EtherCAT bus system without the need for protocol conversion, making it much more convenient!Siemens servo drives are moving towards EtherCAT technology, marking Siemens’ entry into the EtherCAT open ecosystem for motion control. As an efficient and open real-time Ethernet technology, EtherCAT is gradually dominating the market, offering significant advantages in openness and inclusivity compared to Siemens’ traditional PROFINET ecosystem.In the field of industrial automation, the EtherCAT protocol is gradually becoming the first choice for many PLC brands due to its efficiency and real-time characteristics. Well-known brands such as Beckhoff, Omron, and Inovance all support the EtherCAT protocol, making communication between devices more convenient and efficient.However, as a leading enterprise in the field of industrial automation, Siemens’ PLC products have always enjoyed a high reputation in the market. Nevertheless, in scenarios requiring the use of the EtherCAT protocol, Siemens previously had to rely on third-party gateways for protocol conversion, which undoubtedly increased system complexity and cost, while reducing usability.Although Siemens’ Profibus and Profinet protocols have extensive applications and strong functionalities in industrial automation, for drive devices with extremely high requirements for real-time performance and precision, the EtherCAT protocol seems to be more reliable. EtherCAT employs a unique communication mechanism that allows data to be transmitted in a very short time, ensuring high precision and stability. This is crucial for drive devices that require high precision control and real-time feedback.With the continuous improvement of industrial automation levels, more and more users are beginning to pay attention to the EtherCAT protocol and hope that Siemens will directly support this protocol. Siemens has also recognized this market demand and is gradually promoting its PLC products towards the EtherCAT protocol.The application of the EtherCAT protocol in the field of industrial automation is becoming increasingly widespread, and its efficient and real-time characteristics make it the first choice for many PLC brands. For Siemens, directly supporting the EtherCAT protocol will help enhance its competitiveness in the market and provide users with a more convenient and efficient experience.The Siemens S120 servo drive’s new EtherCAT interface is a proactive response to the openness and inclusivity of EtherCAT technology. By adding the EtherCAT interface, the S120 servo drive can connect directly to the EtherCAT bus system without the need for cumbersome protocol conversion. This not only simplifies the configuration and usage process but also greatly improves work efficiency and reliability. Additionally, this allows the S120 servo drive to better integrate into the EtherCAT ecosystem, achieving seamless connectivity with devices from more manufacturers. The Sinamics S120 Robox communication board EtherCAT is released as an optional module for the Sinamics CU320-2 DP/PN Control Unit.The order number is: 6SL3055-0AA00-2RB1. It is important to note that this card will be supported starting from Sinamics S120 firmware version V5.1.From a market perspective, Siemens’ move towards EtherCAT in servo drives also reflects the development trend in the field of industrial automation. As industrial automation levels continue to rise, users are demanding higher interconnectivity and data exchange between devices. The EtherCAT protocol, being an efficient and open real-time Ethernet technology, perfectly meets these needs. Consequently, more and more manufacturers are beginning to apply EtherCAT technology in their products to enhance product competitiveness and market share.Siemens’ transition to EtherCAT in servo drives represents an important transformation in the field of industrial automation. It not only enhances the interconnectivity between devices but also provides users with more choices and flexibility. With the continuous development and popularization of EtherCAT technology, it is believed that the field of industrial automation will welcome a brighter future.
