cifX PC cards - All formats, all protocols

Hilscher's cifX PC cards are the simplest and fastest way to equip PC-based automation devices with a fieldbus or Real Time Ethernet interface. The protocol stack is handled autonomously on the PC card via loadable firmware and data is exchanged with the host via dual-port memory or DMA (Direct Memory Access). Together with SoftPLCs, visualizations or own applications available on the market, they solve almost any automation task in the shortest possible time:

• Master and slave applications can be realized
• Ten card formats and 20 industrial master and slave protocols
• Standardized drivers, tools and API for all cards thanks to Hilscher's platform strategy

Holger Müller (left) and Marco Krahmer

© Hilscher

Dipl.-Ing. Holger Müller, Managing Partner of müller+krahmer GmbH, outlines the application of AVENTICS GmbH in Laatzen, Lower Saxony, a renowned original equipment manufacturer and producer of pneumatic solutions and part of the Emerson Group: "In this case, we are implementing test benches for electropneumatic valves, so-called continuous valves, which regulate pressures with high precision in proportion to the setpoint specification." These valves are all tested individually before leaving the production halls. Part of the testing process is the configuration of the test specimens with regard to product and customer-specific pressure ranges, controller settings and interfaces, as well as their adjustment using reference values that are determined during the test. The configuration includes both the setting of individual parameters and the replacement of the complete firmware and application software. The solution used by müller+krahmer has to cover more than 300 device variants. This means "a huge range of interfaces, as well as a wide variety of designs and pressure ranges, some of which are very complex to test," says Müller.

Best-in-class flexibility thanks to cifX

The test bench specifics, which require a permanent change of the connected devices, were the decisive factor for müller+krahmer to opt for cifX: The cifX PC card family from Hilscher offers users a uniform standard for all real-time Ethernet and fieldbus systems used in PC-based automation applications. Thanks to Hilscher's uniform platform strategy, all PC cards use the same drivers, tools and API - regardless of protocol and card format. With Hilscher netX technology, all required Real-Time Ethernet protocols - currently EtherCAT, PROFINET and SERCOS III - can be implemented with one hardware. The protocol can be changed simply by reloading the firmware.

Automatic protocol change minimizes errors

The entire product range of cifX cards from Hilscher

© Hilscher

This flexibility and multi-protocol capability ensures a drastic reduction in errors and largely automated handling of the test by the end user.

"We can change the bus on the fly with the cifX cards," explains Müller. Manual input by the operator is no longer necessary, which shortens the testing time and, above all, reduces the susceptibility to errors. As the cifX PC card only has a single connection for several buses, the otherwise necessary hardware switching of the bus interface between the test stand and the device is no longer necessary. "This eliminates another potential source of error. The test bench can be designed more compactly and used more flexibly than would be possible with one physical interface per bus. In addition, no conversion of the test bench is necessary when integrating future bus protocols," Müller continues. The cifX technology is therefore of interest to anyone who is faced with the challenge of having to test devices with different interfaces. "This is the case with all typical actuators," says Müller, adding that it makes sense to handle such test procedures with a single machine for "cost and handling reasons". The cifX technology is exactly the right approach for this, and the expert believes that it is "definitely recommended".

Advantages of the müller+krahmer solution with cifX:

• Coverage of all common industry protocols for maximum flexibility
• Minimization of error sources through automatic bus configuration ensures smooth production processes with time and cost savings for the user
• Reduction of the complexity of a highly specific automation solution. Users have access to Hilscher's expertise in industrial communication to cover all market requirements

Hilscher at the embedded world 2022

The embedded world 2022 will take place from June 21-23.

© Frank Boxler | NürnbergMesse

Don't miss the presentation "Miniaturization of PC-based systems - maximizing application possibilities" on Tuesday, 22 June, 11:30 - 12:00 at the embedded world Conference 2022.

You can also follow Hilscher on social networks