Implementation of Fieldbus Networks in Factory Automation
Over the last few years the importance of communication between machines has greatly increased, and this trend will continue as more industrial companies strive for enhanced production and efficiency through linked automation systems. Many of these systems use large numbers of input/output devices and operate over long distances, which leads to increased wiring and installation cost, besides low flexibility for system modification and extension. One way of overcoming these limitations, as well as reducing the cost, is to use a serial communication system which is known as fieldbus. The work described in this thesis is a study of some of the commonly used industrial networks, in particular Highway Addressable Remote Transducers (HART), Controller Area Network (CAN), Foundation Fieldbus, and Process Fieldbus (Profibus). In addition, the properties and applications of the Actuator Sensor Interface (AS-Interface) networking system which is for automation at the level of sensors and actuators has also been considered. Case studies of three applications of fieldbus have been considered in detail. These are for the University of Wales College Newport (UWCN) Profibus DP training Network, a complete control system for the Mechatronic Development Centre's Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system using Profibus and AS-Interface networks, and a suggested solution for control problems at a local manufacturing company Brohome Ltd. PLCs performs an important role to control different industrial processes. Its functionality, reliability and cost effectiveness puts it at the top of the list of industrial controllers. On the other hand fieldbus networks are originally designed to link those controllers so they can integrate with one another to achieve production tasks. A training package for one of the modern generation of PLCs has been developed and is included in the thesis.
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