RS, a global provider of product and service solutions for industrial customers, has expanded its line card. The focus is on switches, gateways and secure communication.
Helmholz products now enrich the RS product range; the picture shows Helmholz Managing Directors Karsten Eichmüller (left) and Carsten Bokholt. © Helmholz GmbH & Co. KG
With Helmholz, a product specialist for automation projects has been added to the distributor's product range. With the manufacturer's latest, clever system solutions, the high demands placed on industrial networks in times of increasing automation can be met both reliably and efficiently. Following the very good development of sales via its own sales channels, Helmholz now wants to take advantage of the additional opportunities that RS can offer as a distributor, not least online.
RS offers Helmholz unique access to a wide range of target groups in the fields of development, automation and maintenance. As a specialist for small and medium-sized quantities, the distributor has particular expertise in regularly addressing customers and their specific needs as well as in logistical efficiency. This is complemented by solutions for process cost optimization, for example, which are specially tailored to this segment.
Helmholz is an expert in PROFINET and industrial networks. The broad product spectrum ranges from a decentralized I/O system to switches and repeaters, gateways, a NAT gateway/firewall and secure IoT remote machine access. Helmholz's aim is to offer the perfect solution for every automation task with market-driven products.
The products added to the RS range focus on switches, gateways and secure communication. The certified FLEXtra PROFINET switches from Helmholz provide RS customers with powerful components for an attractive network infrastructure. They impress with their compact and robust design as well as integrated transmission security by means of ring redundancy as an MRP client. The UL approval not only confirms the high level of quality, but also fulfills an essential requirement for export-oriented users. The Helmholz managed FLEXtra PROFINET switches fully exploit the possibilities of PROFINET networks. One of the most important functions of a managed FLEXtra PROFINET switch is the prioritization of PROFINET telegram traffic in the machine network. The switch can distinguish whether the telegram is a web request, an FTP file transfer, a media stream or a PROFINET telegram. In the event of a high transmission load, the important telegrams can therefore be prioritized.
PROFINET is also at the center of the gateway portfolio. The HELMHOLZ PROFINET gateways can currently be used to connect Profinet networks with Modbus TCP; EtherNet IP; CANopen; PROFIBUS; as well as other Profinet networks. The engineering tool that the user is already using is sufficient for parameterization, configuration and operation. The latest addition to the gateway family is the PN/Modbus-TCP coupler for connecting Modbus-TCP components to PROFINET networks.
More and more Profibus networks are being migrated to Profinet. This also increases the need to connect separate Profinet networks with each other. The PN/PN Coupler or DP/PN Coupler takes on this task by enabling data transmission between two PLC controllers at IO level. This uncomplicated connection eliminates the need for complex CPU-to-CPU communication. Linking individual machines to form a production line is therefore possible with minimal effort - even if the individual machines from different manufacturers are already in the production hall.
The PN/CAN gateway connects CAN devices to Profinet. A total of five types are available for the various CAN protocols. On the Profinet network, the PN/CAN gateway is a Profinet I/O device and supports transmission rates of up to 100 Mbit full duplex; up to 1 Mbit/s is supported on the CAN bus. The PN/CAN gateway CANopen is a fully-fledged CANopen master. As a master, the gateway supports network management, SYNC telegrams, node guarding/heartbeat for monitoring the participants and LSS services.
This makes it the ideal solution for connecting drives with CAN bus interfaces to PLC controllers with Profinet, for example.
The Wall IE product range provides network protection. It securely protects automation networks against unauthorized access. Thanks to the individual configuration, the firewall can be easily adapted to the requirements of the respective machine network. It can be used to form “conduits”, which are increasingly required in accordance with IEC62443. As a plus point, the NAT functionality allows IP addresses of machines to be standardized, as this avoids IP address collisions. The result is structured, “micro-segmented” networks with small broadcast domains. Security and network performance with just a few clicks for the DIN rail.
“Innovative strength, teamwork and a high level of quality awareness characterize our company. With these values, we feel we are in good hands with RS. A sales partner that enables the implementation of new technical solutions from the concept idea to production and that names reliable service as the core of its brand is a very good fit for us. We are looking forward to the upcoming cooperation,” says Karsten Eichmüller, Managing Director of Helmholz GmbH & Co. KG.
