VMEbus technology applications
With a record turnover of €1.4 billion (approximately U.S. $1.8 billion), the TRUMPF Group is the leading European vendor of machine tools. TRUMPF is the world market and technology leader in industrial lasers and laser systems. TRUMPF Laser, Germany (formerly HAAS Laser), started to use laser-powered equipment in steel-cutting equipment in 1988. The VMEbus-based controller from PEP (now part of Kontron) collects data and processes it for local and telecontrol of the system. Today, this system processes more than 500 measurements continuously. The VMEbus 3U CPU in this system has migrated in performance from the prototype system in 1988 with an 8 MHz 68000 type processor (2.5 MIPS) to a 250 MHz PowerPC processor and optionally today to a 660 MHz PowerPC processor (1,520 MIPS). A 3U VME card and other electronic control devices are located inside the control unit for a laser-cutting machine (Figure 1, courtesy of Kontron, Germany).
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Processing power is not really needed for mechanical speed improvements but for processing more I/O signals using more elaborate algorithms for the improvement of the application. The reduction in size is very important because I/O interfaces that were previously on separate cards are now on the CPU. A customer-specific 3U carrier implements PROFIBUS, INTERBUS, DeviceNet, and Ethernet interfaces. Deterministic INTERBUS is widely used in European car manufacturing plants.
At TRUMPF Laser’s manufacturing plant, the tolerance field of the 500 measurement values is reduced by 30 percent. Every laser device must function optimally under these conditions, and must do so without warnings or error messages. Then the tolerance field is reset to 100 percent again before delivery to the customer, which means that every device has a 30 percent safety zone for long, trouble-free operation at the customer site. A special software tool Minimum Tolerance (MinTol) is used for this purpose. Other software tools provide remote diagnosis and control via Ethernet. For almost 15 years now, there was no need to change the basic software. The software experts at TRUMPF Laser could concentrate on continuous improvement and enhancement.
TRUMPF Laser needs the guaranteed real-time capability that the VME system, in connection with a real-time/multitasking operating system (OS-9), can provide. It is not acceptable if the laser reacts after 5 ms at one time and after 50 ms at another time because it might cut too short, too long, or in a wrong place. Deterministic real-time operation is an absolute requirement. The fine-grained hierarchical interrupt architecture of the VMEbus makes it all possible. Migration to real-time Linux was also completed and the hardware was abstracted. The Linux-based operating system environment of the Open Source Automation Development Lab (OSADL) consortium is used.
A VMEbus-based control system provides the user with:
- A very compact system
- High reliability
- Fine-grained and fast interrupt processing
- Investment protection (hardware and software)
- Logically and mechanically robust technology
- Scalable performance
- The ability to upgrade seamlessly over a long time
Kontron now supplies the 68040/68060-based 3U and 6U VME CPUs in accordance with the new Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) requirements, so that customers can continue to safeguard their investments in the coming years. Form, fit, and function compatibility is guaranteed. VMEbus technology from many suppliers offers a wide range of VMEbus-based solutions and improvements from an open, commercial platform for many more years into the future.
European event business
NeurnbergMesse serves as the home of EmbeddedWorld in February, SPS/IPC/Drives in November, the world’s largest toy fair (some toys include embedded control), and more than 50 other events in Germany and more than 30 events globally. The owners of NuernbergMesse reported an increase of 17 percent in turnover compared to 2004 when they hosted a similar number of events and types of fairs on their fairgrounds in Nuernberg, Germany. It is not a bad idea to exhibit at a fair that is increasing not only in exhibition area and in number of exhibitors but, more importantly, in the number of visitors (for example, a 26 percent increase for SPS/IPC/Drives), who may be potential customers.
Market numbers
The industrial electronics market in Germany, including VMEbus, has a higher percentage (12.3 percent) in its total regional microelectronics market than any other region in the world. In the United States, this section represents 6.4 percent market share. Europe (excluding Germany) and Japan show 10.3 and 10.4 percent market share, respectively, for industrial control.
A worldwide assessment of future technologies has shown embedded systems to be the clear market leader between 2005 and 2010. Other promising technologies include IT utility services, Internet TV, and biometrical technologies. Embedded systems should grow from $138 billion U.S. in 2005 to $194 billion U.S. in 2010 and still be the clear market leader in 2010.
For further information, e-mail Hermann at [email protected].