Optimal selection of industrial automation equipment like motors, drives, and communications modules requires careful attention to detail. For example, there are numerous differences between the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) in North America and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in Europe regarding motor and drive ratings. When selecting motors, drives, and controllers, some considerations
include the input and output voltages and tolerances, required speed range and regulation needs, torque requirements, acceleration, braking duty cycles, special needs like quick speed or torque response, and environmental factors, including thermal management. Communication needs vary depending on where the equipment is in the industrial control hierarchy. At the level nearest the edge of the
factory floor, protocols like IO-Link can be used for intelligent sensors and actuators, and EtherCAT, PROFINET, Modbus, and other protocols can connect motion, safety, I/O, and vision. The highest level of the factory automation network often uses Ethernet/IP to connect with various automation controllers, programming interfaces, and the cloud, as well as a protocol like DisplayPort to connect with
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