When it comes to machine automation, hardware costs and complexity add up fast. As your requirements expand, so does your ever-growing list of hardware: a controller for robot control. Another for CNC. Another for machine vision. You end up with a lot of controllers, perhaps even proprietary, ultimately end up being a lot of systems to manage – and a lot of dollars out of your pocket.

Software-based machine control changes that paradigm. With the right software and a single real-time Windows PC, you can consolidate all of those controllers and their associated costs. Your Windows IPC becomes the only controller that you need. Simply by flipping a switch or moving an Ethernet cable, you can seamlessly switch from a robot controller to CNC controller to a GigE camera. No more separate infrastructure with separate costs, no need for data acquisition or control cards – just one integrated real-time Windows machine acting as an all-in-one controller.

What about the challenges of EtherCAT? While EtherCAT is recognized as the network standard for software motion control, it’s not without issues. That’s why KINGSTAR delivers auto-discovery, auto-configuration, and much more, all in a “plug-and-play”, open and standards-based environment.

Software-based machine automation also supports the modern needs of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial IoT (IIoT). It enables an OPC UA connection to the cloud for analytics, back-end needs, and security. A SCADA connection saves data to your database for real-time processing. And with new add-ons consistently added to the platform, you can keep up with the industry’s move to the cloud.

About Dipesh Mukerji
With over 13 years of experience in mobile technology, consulting and the Internet of Things, Dipesh has experience in almost every facet of an organization. Dipesh’s balanced portfolio of extensive experience involves implementing software technology, building and managing teams in professional services, sales engineering, product management and marketing. Dipesh has implemented software, tools and best practices at both startups and large-scale enterprise organizations that service the gamut of B2E, B2C and B2B customers.

The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of ManufacturingTomorrow

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