Abstract: A method for data communication between subscribers of an automation system includes a first passive subscriber and a second passive subscriber receiving a write request sent by an active subscriber, determining a first transmission time point for transmitting a first reply message by the first passive subscriber, transmitting the first reply message at the first transmission time, and receiving the first reply message. The method also includes determining a second transmission time for transmitting a second reply message by the second passive subscriber, transmitting the second reply message at the second transmission time, receiving the second reply message, and interpreting the first reply message and the second reply message as segments of a data packet.

Abstract: A control-cabinet system has a base module and at least one functional module. The base module has a base housing with a first housing face and a second housing face. The functional module has a functional housing with a housing underside, where a circulation channel is arranged. Air flow may be circulated in the circulation channel, where each base connection element comprises circulation openings which are fluidically connected to the circulation channel. The functional connection element comprises coupling openings fluidically connected to an interior of the functional housing. The coupling openings are coupleable to the circulation openings, in which a fluidic connection exists between the circulation channel and the interior of the functional housing. A fluidically closed circulation circuit comprising the circulation channel and the interior of the functional housing is formed, in which air flow may be circulated.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an automation system having a first controller and a second controller and an external data infrastructure with a message-distributing module. The method includes defining a first communication network and identifying the first controller and the second controller as first communication subscribers of the first communication network via the message-distributing module, sending out a first network message via the first controller to the message-distributing module of the external data infrastructure, identifying the second controller as the first communication subscriber of the first communication network addressed via the first controller using the message-distributing module, forwarding the first network message sent out by the first controller to the second controller via the message-distributing module, and receiving the forwarded first network message via the second controller.

Abstract: An active arm module for the robot arm of a modular industrial robot has a first housing, first and connection sides arranged at an offset, and a drive device. The first connection side is mounted rotatably relative to the first housing, and is connected to the drive device in a torque-locking manner. The second connection side is connected to the first housing in a torque-proof manner, the drive device being arranged in the first housing and configured to rotate the first connection side relative to the first housing. A further module can be connected to the first and/or second connection side, where the first connection side is optically, electrically, power-electrically and/or fluidically connected to the second connection side, and an optical signal, electrical signal, electrical power, and/or a fluid can be exchanged with the further module via the and/or second connection side.

Abstract: An industrial robot comprises a modular robot arm having a plurality of arm modules, where a rotation transfer device for optical signal transmission is provided in an arm module or between a first and a second arm module. The rotation transfer device comprises an optomechanical rotation interface having a first interface side and a second interface side, which face each other and are substantially rotationally symmetrical and complementary. The first and second interface sides are configured to rotate relative to each other. The first and second interface sides are mechanically mounted with respect to each other, with a radial plain bearing on one interface side and a slide bearing shell complementary thereto on the other interface side. A gap is formed between the first and second interface sides, in the axial direction of the rotation transfer device, across which the optical signal transmission takes place.

Abstract: A method is described for operating a communication network with a plurality of subscribers. Data exchange between the subscribers takes place in the form of telegrams, which comprise data sections. The subscribers interpret an end portion of the telegrams as a check value for the absence of errors in preceding data sections. The telegrams are processed in pass-through, so that the telegrams are forwarded to a respective next subscriber while being received. If an error is detected when receiving a telegram, the subscribers send the telegram to the next subscriber with a characterizing data section at the end, so that the telegram has an end portion representing an invalid check value. The telegram is characterized by the characterizing data section, which is part of the end portion, so that the telegram is not to be considered as an initial error but as a subsequent error.

Abstract: A method for processing telegrams in an automation network provides a master subscriber to at least partially encrypt and output telegrams, respectively, to another subscriber. The other subscriber comprises an input port, a receiving logic connected to the input port, a decryption unit connected to the receiving logic, and a processing unit connected to the decryption unit and the receiving logic. The receiving logic is configured, when a telegram at least partially encrypted by the master subscriber is present at the input port, to forward an encrypted portion of the telegram to the decryption unit. The decryption unit is configured to decrypt the encrypted portion of the telegram with a key, and to forward the encrypted portion to the processing unit for processing. If an unencrypted telegram is present at the input port, the receiving logic is configured to forward the unencrypted telegram to the processing unit for processing.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing time in an Ethernet-based network having a master network subscriber, a first segment and a second segment. Each segment has at least one network subscriber. The second segment is connected to the first segment by a first network distributor, arranged in the second segment. The method comprises steps for sending out a synchronization telegram addressed to the second segment by the master network subscriber, the synchronization telegram being of the first type; receiving the synchronization telegram by the first network distributor, for conversion into a second type; forwarding the synchronization telegram to a network distributor of the second segment, by the first network distributor; reading out a synchronization value stored in the synchronization telegram by the first network distributor of the second segment; and adjusting a speed of a local system time of the network distributor of the second segment, using the synchronization value.

Abstract: A runtime server includes a plurality of simultaneously executing runtime systems, which are configured for real-time execution of a control program for an automation system. At least two of the runtime systems execute application modules of the control program, with at least one module executing an application of the control program being installed on each runtime system. Each runtime system has a data transmission interface for transmitting data between the runtime systems and/or application modules, an I/O configuration which defines an allocation between at least one variable of the application modules and at least one hardware address of a hardware component of the automation system, an I/O interface for data exchange between the runtime systems and hardware components, and an intermediate I/O mapping layer. The I/O configurations are mapped in the intermediate I/O mapping layer.

Abstract: A network distributor has a plurality of input-output ports, a processor unit, and a memory unit. The ports connect network subscribers via a data line network, where the network subscribers include protocol subscribers to process telegrams as protocol telegrams. The processor unit receives telegrams via one port and outputs telegrams via another port, which is stored in a routing table in the memory unit. The processor unit further determines whether a telegram is a protocol telegram received via a port for which no port identifier is stored in the memory unit, and to discard the telegram if so. Checking and discarding of telegrams can be subject to a precondition, where fulfillment of the precondition leads to an exception from discarding the telegram.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing time in an Ethernet-based network having a master network subscriber and a slave network subscriber includes sending out a first telegram via the master network subscriber, where the slave subscriber receives the first telegram at a first receipt time value of a local system time and stores the first receipt time value. The method can also include reading out the first receipt time value via the master subscriber, sending out a second telegram by the master subscriber, where the slave subscriber receives the second telegram at a second receipt time value of the local system time and stores the second receipt time value, and reading out the second receipt time value via the master network subscriber. A speed parameter of the local system time can be calculated from the receipt time values via the master network subscriber, and transmitted to the slave subscriber.

Abstract: A planar drive system has at least one stator assembly with a plurality of coil groups for generating a stator magnetic field, a stator surface above the stator assembly, and first and second rotors. The rotors each have a plurality of magnet units for generating a rotor magnetic field. The rotors can be moved above the stator surface in first and second directions, with the aid of an interaction of the stator magnetic field with the rotor magnetic field. A connection can be formed between the rotors with the aid of a coupling device. A controller is arranged to output control signals to the stator assembly. The stator assembly is configured to energize the coil groups on the basis of the control signals so that movements of the rotors, coordinated with one another with respect to the coupling device, are carried out with the aid of the stator magnetic field.

Abstract: At least one distribution node with a plurality of input/output interfaces is provided in an automation communication network. Data is exchanged via telegrams with priority levels. The distribution node interrupts transmission of a telegram having a first priority level if a telegram with a second, higher priority level is received. The distribution node terminates the interrupted telegram, which forms a first fragment defined by sending first fragmentation information at the end of the first fragment. A part that has not been sent forms a second fragment. The distribution node stores the second fragment together with second fragmentation information. After sending the telegram having the second, higher priority level, the distribution node sends the second fragment together with the second fragmentation information. A node, for which the telegram having the first priority level is intended, assembles the first and second fragments on the basis of the first and second fragmentation information.

Abstract: A switch-cabinet system comprises a base module with a base housing and at least one functional module with a functional housing. A functional connection element is arranged in the functional housing in the area of a first through-opening on a bottom side of the functional housing. A base connection element is arranged in the base housing in the area of a second through opening on a top side of the base housing. The bottom side of the functional housing rests against the top side of the base housing. The functional and base connection elements engage and form an interface. The system also includes a sealing insert having a frame with a functional section engaging the functional housing and a base section engaging the base housing. The functional section abuts an inner wall of the functional housing. The base section abuts a wall of the base housing defining the second through-opening.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an object with the aid of a planar drive system. The planar drive system comprises at least one stator assembly, each having a plurality of coil groups for generating a stator magnetic field, a stator surface above the stator assembly, and at least one rotor comprising a plurality of magnet units for generating a rotor magnetic field. The planar drive system further comprises at least one rotational position, where the rotor is rotatable about a rotational axis perpendicular to the stator surface in the rotational position. The rotational position is determined based on a point of contact of four stator assemblies. The method comprises energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor moves to the rotational position, energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor rotates, and processing of the object with the aid of the rotor rotation.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an object using a planar drive system having at least one stator assembly with a plurality of coil groups for generating a stator magnetic field, a stator surface above the stator assembly, and at least one rotor with a plurality of magnet units for generating a rotor magnetic field. A processing element is arranged above the stator surface. The planar drive system has at least one rotational position, where the rotor can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the stator surface. A spatial arrangement of the processing element is predetermined by the rotational position. The method comprises energizing the coil groups so a rotor with the object arranged on the rotor moves to the rotational position, energizing the coil groups so the rotor rotates, and processing the object with the aid of the rotor rotation, where the processing element acts upon the object.