Factory upgrades and retro-fits have never been easier!

Save between 40-70% compared to an in-chassis PLC communication module

The EtherNet/IP Linking Devices have a unique integration to Studio 5000® Logix designer, allowing for quick and easy connectivity to PROFIBUS, Modbus-TCP and serial/DF1 slave devices.

Everything is accessible from within Studio 5000, even the proprietary Master configuration software. No extra 3rd-party software or licenses needed. Just connect, configure and you're done!

Why an EtherNet/IP Linking Device makes sense:

Improved system architecture

Contrary to an in-chassis module which is physically connected to the PLC, the Linking Devices can be mounted close to the connected machine. This means that it is possible to establish a connection via a single Ethernet cable instead of multiple network specific cables.   

In-chassis PLC communication modules defeat this advantage by creating more physical connections out of the PLC which means more potential points of failure. In addition, they require dedicated slots in the PLC rack adding cost to the overall project.

 

With the EtherNet/IP Linking Device:

  • Mount the Linking Device on a DIN-rail close the connected devices
  • Eliminate long cable runs with expensive proprietary cables
  • Benefit from using a long and inexpensive Ethernet cable
  • Support for Beacon-Based DLR (Device Level Ring)
  • No hardware or software device changes needed

Easier configuration

In-chassis PLC communication modules often require that several rings of ladder logic or function blocks be written in order to facilitate communication. Integrating this into the already existing code significantly increases the time to complete projects.   

EtherNet/IP Linking Devices are configured using a Custom Add On Profile for Studio 5000 Logix™ Designer:
  • No need for any separately installed software or licenses
  • Dynamically generates data structures for each device connected
  • No ladder logic files (add on instructions) needed
  • PROFIBUS, Modbus-TCP and serial protocol configuration, all accessed through your existing Studio 5000 software

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Maximize performance 

In-chassis PLC serial communications modules with their need to embed communication code into the PLC program along with the control code, add significant overhead to the total program. This can serve as a significant detriment to the performance of the total process. 

Since the Linking Devices are stand-alone (distributed), they do not affect PLC backplane performance (PLC execution time), even when large amounts of data is transferred. This is especially relevant for the PROFIBUS and Modbus-TCP versions which allow for “big data” (up to 4 kB of I/O in each direction).

With EtherNet/IP Linking Devices: 

  • No reduction to PLC backplane performance (PLC execution time), even when large amount of data is transferred from the Linking Device to the Logix™ PLC
  • Data presented from the connected devices as named and structured Studio 5000 controller tags
  • PLC simply scans the Linking Device as if it were any other I/O device on the network
  • Gives no greater burden to the network than the speed of the device connection

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Availability

Select the Linking Device version

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