TwinCAT IoT Communicator Provides Secure Transfer of Process Data to Mobile Devices

Beckhoff

 

September 7, 2018

The TwinCAT IoT Communicator makes it easy for PLCs to communicate with mobile devices by connecting the PC-based TwinCAT controller directly and securely to a messaging service through TLS encryption. For smartphone and tablet users, the associated IoT Communicator App from Beckhoff ensures that process data can be represented on all mobile devices in a clear overview. Alarms are sent to the device as push messages.

The TwinCAT 3 IoT Communicator exchanges data using a publish/subscribe mechanism. Since no special firewall settings are needed, integration into an existing IT network is easy. Information is exchanged via a message broker that uses the standardized MQTT protocol and acts as a central messaging service in a cloud or local network. A high level of communication security is guaranteed by proven TLS encryption (up to version 1.2).

Transmitted process data can be displayed on mobile devices using the IoT Communicator App, which is available for both Android and iOS operating systems. The IoT Communicator App also incorporates an integrated QR code scanner to facilitate entry of access data for communication between the broker and individual users.

The TwinCAT IoT Communicator simplifies the transmission of push messages in industrial applications. It offers a number of advantages over conventional email and SMS messages by visualizing live data, variables and status values. This makes the IoT Communicator an ideal addition to the related TwinCAT IoT and TwinCAT Analytics software products.

TwinCAT IoT Communicator

TwinCAT IoT Communicator App

 

*Photo: The TwinCAT IoT Communicator software and the IoT Communicator App provide convenient and secure access to process data via mobile devices.

 

 

Related Articles

LIFT Water ISA logos 400

ISA announced as a supporting organization of the 2019 LIFT Intelligent Water Systems Challenge

For the second year in a row, the International Society of Automation (ISA)-through its Water and Wastewater Industries Division (WWID)-is supporting an initiative designed to demonstrate the value of intelligent water systems, smart water technologies, and leveraging data for improved decision-making.

 

 

 

 

Robots Aren’t Taking Over Manufacturing – They’re Making It Easier

Robots Aren’t Taking Over Manufacturing – They’re Making It Easier

You might think of product being transported via conveyors, and people lined up at different stations. These people are probably doing repetitive tasks like placing components onto an assembly. Of course, if you work in automation or your facility has automation deeply integrated in its processes, you know that this sort of thing is not as common anymore.

 

 

 

PB-44-Beckhoff-EJ1254-400.jpg

Beckhoff: EJ1254 – EtherCAT Plug-in Module, 4-Channel Digital Input, 24 V DC, 1 µs, Timestamping

The EJ1254 digital input module acquires the fast binary 24 V control signals from the process level and transmits them, in an electrically isolated form, to the controller. The EtherCAT plug-in module has four channels that indicate their signal state via light emitting diodes.

 

 

 

Changing Scene

Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.

ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More

Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More

Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More

JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More

Latest Articles

  • Implementing Functional Safety Requirements

    Implementing Functional Safety Requirements

    The Safety Functional Requirements Specification (SFRS; sometimes referred to as SRS or Safety Requirements Specification) is the plan for the safety controls on a machine and is the second step of the safety lifecycle. The SFRS document serves as a framework for the safety control system design, is informed by prior work done in the… Read More…

  • From Endress+Hauser, 24/7 Digital, Plant-Wide Health Monitoring for Rockwell Systems Optimizes Workflows and Processes

    From Endress+Hauser, 24/7 Digital, Plant-Wide Health Monitoring for Rockwell Systems Optimizes Workflows and Processes

    Endress+Hauser’s Asset Health Monitoring Solution–Rockwell Edition, now available for installation, provides operators with a centralized, digital overview of plant-wide device health to avoid unscheduled shutdowns and accelerate troubleshooting. It not only presents early visibility of problematic devices but distinguishes itself by adding likely causes and remedies to such a report so problems can be fixed… Read More…