VDW Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken e.V.

Oct 30, 2013

echocollect e

Provides Process Data to Higher-Level Systems echocollect provides a solid basis for modern process data management systems.

Process and manufacturing data are passed on directly to a higher level management system via echocollect’s diverse interfaces – and all this without intervening in existing controller systems.

Integration of Existing Systems in new Quality Assurance Systems
Direct Production Connection to Weak Point Aanalysis
Excellent Data Security since the Data which are Relevant to Quality Assurance are Buffered during the Interruption of a Connection

Everything at a Glance

Data Base and ERP Connection to SAP, Oracle, dB2, MySQL, MS-SQL
Open Data Communication via OPC Functionality
Protocol Support for a Wide Variety of Controller Systems (Siemens, Rockwell, Scheider, Beckhoff, ABB, etc.)

Application

Since existing controllers must often be integrated when new management systems are added, echocollect demonstrates its primary advantages with its wealth of protocols for the coupling of serial and Ethernet-based devices. Independently and perturbation-free, Echocollect independently collects the process data from widespread automation systems and places these data in common process images. After being triggered by parameterizable triggers, these process images are forwarded to the database in real time. In case of a break in the connection, echocollect handles the buffering of the arriving data, provides them with a time stamp and writes them in the database after the connection has been restored. As recipe manager, echocollect offers the function of reliably writing large blocks of data from the data base to the PLC. To increase data reliability, process data can be saved to the echocollect at the same time that they are forwarded on and archived (e.g., shift-related).

Configuration

The configuration is performed via NetCon echo, an easy-to-handle piece of configuration software. Echocollect devices are automatically recognized when the configuration system connects with the Ethernet. In just a few steps, a table with the input and output parameters is defined. Execution of the table is application-dependent and is either cyclic or event-controlled with pre-configured triggers.

Connection

The device is integrated via Ethernet with standard TCP/IP. The 2 separate Ethernet ports permit network separation between the commercial IT network and the production systems. The field devices are either linked via Ethernet, serial connections or even via PROFIBUS. The coupling to the control level is handled via OPC mechanisms, direct performance database drivers or via ERP standards for process integration.

Network-overlapping OPC Communication without DCOM

OPCpipe enables network-overlapping OPC communication WITHOUT DCOM. OPCpipe tunnels the data exchanged between the echo device and an OPC Pipe Client via TCP/IP: The OPC communication is converted into a "normal" TCP/IP communication, transmitted over the network, and then converted back into an OPC communication on the target computer. This makes communication across firewall boundaries or domains possible - all without DCOM.