Rockwell DF1 serial protocol support added to the Anybus^® Communicator™ serial gateway family

HMS has added support for DF1 communication into the entire range of Anybus Communicator gateways. Thanks to this implementation, users can benefit from a simple and straight-forward way of connecting industrial devices which support DF1 to all major industrial fieldbus and industrial Ethernet networks used in today’s automation systems. Devices include e.g. Rockwell/Allen Bradley PLC-5, SLC-500, MicroLogix among others. Supporting conversion from DF1 to 14 industrial networks including DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, ControlNet, Modbus/TCP, Profibus-DP, ProfiNet and CANopen, Anybus Communicator becomes a powerful tool for anyone aiming to integrate devices which support DF1 communication into other architectures.

The DF1 protocol support is provided through the ABC Config Tool software from HMS which is included free of charge with the Communicator gateways. No programming skills, expensive hardware changes or PLC function blocks are required in order to start using the Communicator range of products with DF1 devices, since the connection to industrial networks from DF1 devices is made through a simple configuration procedure in ABC Config Tool.

Furthermore, thanks to its selectable serial RS-232/422/485-interface, users can choose between connecting one or several DF1 devices to Anybus Communicator allowing complete flexibility on site when connecting devices like barcode readers, RFID scanners, weigh scales, drives and motor starters from various vendors.

Well-established on the market, Anybus Communicator gateways are proven and trusted by all leading PLC manufacturers including Allen Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi, ABB, Omron, Hitachi, Beckhoff, Phoenix Contact and Bosch Rexroth, as well as leading System Integrators and End Users all over the world.