The MBS from Georg Schlegel is a proprietary bus system for operating devices with several control and signaling devices. It can be used in a standardized way regardless of the higher-level communication system used and can be integrated into various communication systems. These currently include fieldbuses such as Profibus DP, AS-Interface and CANopen, Industrial Ethernet networks such as Profinet, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT and Powerlink as well as IO-Link. For integration, it is sufficient to connect the MBS to the respective communication system via the bus node of its base module. All communication of the base module takes place via the internal proprietary data bus, regardless of which higher-level system is used.

In addition to the base module, there are also extension modules that add further I/O to the MBS: With an additional cable, up to 128 command devices such as pushbuttons, selector/key switches or indicator lights can be controlled and managed. Each module type comprises eight inputs and eight outputs as standard and is designed for typical applications in control panels.

The latest components of the MBS for Industrial Ethernet are a gateway with an internal 2-port switch, which has an RFID interface and an A/D converter integrated alongside the actual bus node, and an expansion module, which is also equipped with an RFID interface and offers eight I/Os. The four variants of the gateway can be connected to the Profinet, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT or Powerlink network via the RJ45 connection of the 2-port switch. The MBS is routed to the outside via the M12 connection (or the alternative spring terminal) and can be connected to the additional expansion modules or other components, such as the proboxx.

The gateway can be positioned in a confined space in order to implement functions such as RFID user management or the connection of a potentiometer. The RFID control integrated in the gateway is based on the TMS_TCA system from Georg Schlegel. The extension module also has an integrated TMS_TCA system.

Contact transmitter with M12 connection

The "FRT connect" contact transmitter from Georg Schlegel brings the company's existing control devices into the M12 world.

© Georg Schlegel

Another new product from Georg Schlegel is the "FRT connect" contact transmitter with M12 connection. It brings existing control devices into the M12 world: with its help, control devices from a wide range of series can be retrofitted with an M12 connection. "Most control devices are currently still fitted with screw, flat plug or terminal connections," explains Torsten Singer, Product Manager at Georg Schlegel. "This type of cabling is associated with increased effort and is also prone to errors. Thanks to FRT connect, it is easy to switch from an existing system to the M12 world without having to replace entire series of actuators, as was previously the case."

All control device series from Georg Schlegel with a 16 mm sleeve collar and 3 mm stroke can be combined with the FRT connect contact blocks to make them M12-compatible. Whether lamp, NC or NO contact - a wide variety of possible contact types can be realized. Users can also choose between a 4-pin plug with Schlegel pin assignment or a 5-pin plug with AIDA pin assignment for the connection. A long service life and high switching capacity round off the features of the FRT connect series.

"The trend is towards the M12 connection, because customers want the connection to be as simple as possible," explains Torsten Singer. "More and more customers also want complete solutions from a single source. Our modular bus system (MBS) fits in with both developments. Here, too, the rule is: connect once and you're done. It is always the same control panel, regardless of which bus system or network is docked from outside."