Platform on production and process automation
PROFINET is the most widely used network within machines and plants today. But how do you ensure an optimal PROFINET infrastructure? "We offer our customers not only the right products, but also advice and support to achieve the best solution," says Dolf van Eendenburg of Helmholz Benelux.
For more than 30 years Helmholz, an expert in industrial automation components, has been active in industrial communication. In the beginning, the focus was on components for PROFIBUS and CAN. It was a logical step for the company to start developing products for these right from the introduction of PROFINET.
Besides Profibus and CAN, PROFINET has become an important specialty. In fact, customers even call Helmholz "the company with the most knowledge of PROFINET in the Benelux. Dolf van Eendenburg of Helmholz Benelux: "Providing expert and honest advice is very important. We want to realize an optimal PROFINET infrastructure together with our customers. This is why we have a complete and varied range of switches available."
In addition to a series of flat and compact switches, which take up little cabinet space, Helmholz recently introduced a new line. Van Eendenburg: "With the Flextra switch we have a revolutionary switch on the market. Because all connections are at the bottom, cables can be connected to the switch quickly and easily from the cable duct."
In addition to a complete range of switches, the company developed a whole series of gateways and couplers based on its fieldbus expertise. These make it possible to easily connect various fieldbuses and networks to PROFINET. Gateways and couplers are available for, for example, PROFIBUS, CAN, ModbusTCP, EthernetIP and MQTT. Van Eendenburg on the couplers: "Helmholz's mission is to make uncomplicated products. By having the entire configuration take place in the engineering environment, for example, no complicated software is needed anymore. Easy-to-use, that is our starting point."
Nor can attention to network integration and network security be lacking. "For this, we have the WALL IE in the package. This makes it possible to perform IT security and integration, with an interface that is easy for the automation engineer to understand. The module, which is as compact as the switches, protects and integrates an entire installation, whether blocking network traffic, or changing entire IP ranges."
Even when a cable is not the best solution for PROFINET, an answer is at hand. "With the wireless solution DATAEAGLE, we help customers with a suitable solution. There are solutions for wireless communication up to 3 km." Technical Manager Bart Pape adds: "The DATAEAGLE makes it possible to communicate PROFINET or PROFISAFE wirelessly without additional configuration. For the engineering environment, it's just like having a cable." In addition to smart products, Helmholz also provides customers with connectors and patch cables. These are at least as important in a PROFINET installation.
In order to also be of service to customers in case of problems on the networks, Helmholz has a package of troubleshooting and monitoring tools for PROFINET. Pape commented, "The PROFINET TEST TOOL is used by many of our customers. Even with limited PROFINET knowledge, a problem is quickly found and solved thanks to the tool." Helmholz also uses this tool itself. Van Eendenburg: "We go out every week to solve problems with networks. We trace and solve the cause of acute downtime or irregular outages." The tool is also used to validate networks. "With a validation report, you can be sure that the installation fully complies with the standards drawn up by the international PROFINET organization. Maximum security for the user!"
