HMS Networks, a leading independent supplier of solutions for industrial communication and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), has announced a new Intesis protocol translator for communication between factory floors and building management systems. 

 

BACnet is typically the protocol used in the building management system (BMS) to control the facilities inside the building, and Profinet is one of the most used factory networks for controlling production processes.

 

With this new tool, full data integration, monitoring, and control is enabled between factory floors and building facilities. 

 

According to HMS Networks, key objectives can be achieved with factory-to-building communication.

 

In factories, it is essential that environmental dimensions such as temperature, humidity, and air quality are controlled and monitored automatically to ensure optimal conditions for manufacturing and working staff. 

 

And, by ensuring efficient control of facilities such as HVAC and lighting systems, factory owners can save a lot of energy and manage emergency situations in a safe way, it stated.

 

However, when system integrators plan for factory-to-building integration, they normally face a heterogeneous and challenging communication situation, it added. 

 

Focusing on this situation, the new Intesis Profinet - BACnet IP/MSTP protocol translator from HMS Networks is a cost-effective and easy-to-install gateway solution that offers bi-directional communication between Profinet PLCs and BACnet controllers. 

 

Able to connect up to 1200 data points, the gateway is BACnet IP/MSTP server/slave on one side and Profinet I/O device on the other, featuring independent Ethernet ports. 

 

The gateway has been BTL certified for BACnet and carries the UL mark in order to guarantee the highest communication and quality standards. 

 

Thanks to its strategic placement between the factory and building systems, the gateway becomes an enabler of very interesting applications such a energy metering of devices and machines in the factory from the BACnet-based BMS system, HVAC monitoring, and control from the Profinet, as well as easy alarm definition and management.

 

Easy configuration and integration process using Intesis MAPS Intesis MAPS, the common configuration tool for all Intesis protocol translators, offers a very intuitive configuration process for system integrators covering both sides of the gateway. 

 

MAPS help integrators further in their projects by providing valuable EDE files for the BACnet integration, as well as GSD files and TIA portal TAG files for fast configuration of any connected PROFINET PLC controller.

 

The result of HMS’ combined expertise in factory and building communications Extending the comprehensive range of existing Intesis BACnet protocol translators, the new Profinet - BACnet version is the first product in a new line of Intesis gateways for factory to building integration that will be released step by step by HMS Networks. 

 

In these gateways, HMS combines its proven Anybus and Intesis communication technologies for industrial and building-oriented communication respectively, trusted by customers in millions of installations worldwide.-TradeArabia News Service