Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Sun Also Rises (Again) Of all the amazing things, I just had a conversation with someone from Sun Microsystems last week. No, he wasn't at ARC, but it's still amazing. There used to be one or two guys from Sun who showed up at the Forum touting Java over Windows, but they stopped coming when it was apparent that all the automation software suppliers were porting to Windows. Dave Hofert is group marketing manager of Java real-time and embedded products. Sun has announced a real-time implementation for Linux. It was previously only available for Solaris. He is charged with opening the door to industrial automation. With this port, Sun has cleaned up a number of problems that Java had previously when it tried to get into industrial control. Hofert reports latencies down to 10-20 microseconds, and you can combine with standard Java and soft and hard real-time applications on the same Java Virtual Machine. They also have cleared up the uncertainties inherent with the garbage collection implementation allowing programmers the ability to set priorities that supercede that application, which previously would interrupt operation. They are looking at things such as robot control along with lines open to HMI. They are even working on COTS (commercial off the shelf) components to enable a lower cost "PLC" with the first demo about 1/3 the cost of a PLC (his numbers) that includes four Ethernet ports and a Profibus port (there you go, Carl). They took an ABB robot, rewrote the control code in Java, bought servo drives from Beckhoff and wrote a control code that took an image from a vision system and drew the person's picture. This is almost the dream of the original OMAC--unfortunately 10 years too late. This is very interesting. I bet there are industries where this approach would be useful and welcome. Let's see if they stick to it. They promised to stay in touch. 10:19:10 PM    comment []

Kepware lands contract Kepware Technologies announced February 12 that it was selected again, as the provider of third-party communications for FactoryTalk View Site Edition and FactoryTalk View Machine Edition products from Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation. In addition, Kepware has joined the Rockwell Automation Partner Network as an Encompass Product Partner. The latest generation of Kepware's OPC server technology, KEPServerEX, was designed to allow users to quickly set up communications from equipment to control systems via a wide range of available "plug-in" device drivers and components. Rockwell Automation will use KEPServerEX technology in both Windows Desktop and Windows Embedded (Windows CE) forms to power both desktop and control panel products. In addition, Kepware joins the Rockwell Automation Encompass Product program, highlighting Kepware as a solution for third-party connectivity for Rockwell Automation customers and sales associates. The specific Encompass accepted products include KEPServerEX with the WeatherBug for Automation Driver, and iSNMP, for monitoring and managing automation network infrastructure. 9:46:55 PM    comment []