Integrating Siemens Automation into Ethernet/IP
There are 2 major communication protocols available for Automation platforms. Ethernet/IP and Profinet. Siemens Automation standardizes on Profinet while Rockwell tends to lean more toward the Ethernet/IP standard. Industrial facilities typically have more than one type of automation platform, and Siemens has made it easy to integrate their devices across these communication protocols.
Siemens has developed downloadable content for users that want to integrate a Siemens device into their Rockwell platform. There are examples and instructions available to download that describe how to setup the Siemens HMI or VFD so that a Rockwell PLC can access and control the device, just as it would be if it were an all-Siemens system. Many of the Siemens devices now have the Ethernet/IP protocol available as an option outside of the standards of Profinet or Profibus.
Siemens software is used to configure the devices, such as Startdrive. The initial setup is done to tell the device that it will be connecting to a Rockwell platform, and what kind of information to share.
Manuals provide details about what parameters to modify for proper communication initialization.
Once communicating, steps are provided to walk the user through the commissioning the device on the Rockwell system. Add on Instructions can be downloaded from the Siemens website and is a great resource for programmers that want to capitalize on existing code for plug and play to enhance their program.
Setup guides are available for other Siemens devices such as the Comfort Panel and Simocode Motor Controller. On the Siemens Support site users can download examples and the manual for all the Siemens devices that support Ethernet/IP.
Siemens G120 controlled by Allen Bradley PLC
Siemens brochure outlining available Ethernet/IP devices
