Company archive


CLPA Europe

Postfach 10 12 17
40832 Ratingen
Germany

Telephone : +49 2102 486 1750
Fax : +49 2102 486 9740
Email : partners@clpa-europe.com
Web : https://eu.cc-link.org/


Editorial archive;

Stepping into the future 22/05/2023
When Orisol, a provider of automated systems for footwear production, wanted to futureproof its offering it found that TSN offered the ideal networking technology. Full Story...

Industrial communications: the next big thing! 17/10/2022
Suzanne Gill asked what control engineering can expect the next big development to be in industrial communication technologies. Full Story...

Driving up sustainability with your communications network 11/04/2022
Tom Burke explains why selecting the right network technology is a key step in enhancing sustainability in manufacturing. Full Story...

Gaining an edge with TSN 04/04/2022
John Browett discusses how industrial communication solutions can help end-users reap the benefits of the edge.  Full Story...

Upgrading automation devices with TSN connectivity 24/01/2022
John Browett explains how to fit TSN within existing platforms and communications protocols. Full Story...

Convergence considerations 10/05/2021
Control Engineering Europe finds out what technologies and innovations are needed to make OT/IT convergence a reality for manufacturers. Full Story...

Celebrating 20 years of innovation in open network technology 24/11/2020
The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA), is celebrating its 20th anniversary. In this time the association has continued to provide open network solutions that leverage the latest, most promising technologies, such as Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN). Full Story...

Leading the way in open industrial Ethernet 02/06/2020
A recently published CLPA Europe supplement focuses on the comprehensive industry support for CC-Link IE TSN product development Full Story...

Making digitalisation work! 08/09/2019
Suzanne Gill finds out how industrial communications are supporting and simplifying the digital migration process. Full Story...

Accelerating smart factory construction with TSN technology 01/07/2019
The CLPA has created a new industrial open network specification ‘CC-Link IE TSN’ as the next generation CC-Link IE network. Find out more about its development, features and what it means for the future. Full Story...

Meet the CC-Link family 25/06/2019
The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) was founded in 2000 and is one of the oldest and largest open automation network technology associations. Currently it numbers over 3,600 partners, including more than 300 who offer compatible products for the CLPA’s family of networks. Moreover, sustained double digit year on year growth has led to a global installed base of over 22 million devices. Here is a quick overview of what the CLPA is, and what technologies it offers. Full Story...

Achieving performance improvements with CC-Link IE 18/06/2019
When Dansk Træemballage A/S (DTE) looked at how to increase the precision and productivity of its sawmill one of its major challenges was to establish the right automation control network. Find out how this issue was overcome. Full Story...

Time Sensitive Networking helps lead the way to Industry 4.0 03/06/2019
The latest technology developed by the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) is CC-Link IE TSN, an Industry 4.0-focussed open industrial Ethernet that offers a market leading combination of gigabit bandwidth and Time Sensitive Networking (TSN). John Browett, General Manager of CLPA Europe, looks at the key features that establish why CC-Link IE TSN is the future of open industrial Ethernet technology. Full Story...

Taking a deep dive into gigabit Ethernet 18/03/2019
It is becoming apparent that the reluctance to move beyond 100Mbit Ethernet technology is a very real limiting factor for Industry 4.0 adoption. John Browett, general manager at CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) Europe, argues that the transition to gigabit Ethernet networking technologies has to start now. Full Story...

Education is key to keeping industry 4.0 moving forward 04/03/2019
Suzanne Gill asked a cross-section of automation vendors where they believe the manufacturing sector is on its Industry 4.0 journey and, importantly, what obstacles still need to be overcome. Full Story...

Opening up networks for the future 07/01/2019
John Browett explains why open industrial networks are fundamental components of a smart factory. Full Story...

Toyota sees the benefits of increased data transparency 09/07/2018
Toyota upgraded its communication networks to an open, gigabit Ethernet technology to help it increase the availability of its production lines and improve the transparency of data. Full Story...

Addressing open network security 28/08/2017
While the industry is taking steps to make hardware more secure, the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) feels that more could be done to address deficiencies in network security without compromising the requirements of the plant floor. It has, therefore, established a working group on industrial Ethernet security, with the aim of providing a guideline document for users looking to build secure networks around the open gigabit Ethernet CC-Link IE technologies.  Full Story...

An integrated network for the IIoT era 21/08/2017
Haruyuki Otani discusses the current IT system trends in manufacturing industry and explains how CC-Link IE can help alleviate issues at the field level. Full Story...

Choosing an Industry 4.0 networking solution 06/08/2017
A recent whitepaper looks at the key requirements for Industry 4.0 success and proposes CC-Link IE as an Industry 4.0-ready Industrial Ethernet networking solution. Full Story...

New Whitepaper: Industry 4.0 - Data and control in future manufacturing 24/05/2017
A whitepaper from the CC-Link Partner Association looks at the key requirements for Industry 4.0 success and proposes CC-Link IE as an Industry 4.0-ready Industrial Ethernet networking solution. Full Story...

Communication cooperation continues apace 30/01/2017
Suzanne Gill reports on the latest networking and communication protocol developments. Full Story...

CC-Link IE and PROFINET interoperability specification launched 13/12/2016
The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) announced the launch of a new joint specification at sps/ipc/drives to allow for easy interoperability between CC-Link IE and PROFINET. Full Story...

CC-Link IE cables and connectors help future-proof machines and processes 23/10/2016
Phoenix Contact is helping customers to future-proof their machines and processes by offering a comprehensive range of cables and connectors for CC-Link IE. Full Story...

I/O blocks enable faster CC-Link IE network building 25/07/2016
The trend for control solutions to move from classic fieldbus setups to Ethernet based systems is being supported by new CC-Link IE I/O blocks from Balluff. Full Story...

Increasing adoption of CC-Link IE and CC-Link adoption 19/07/2016
Over 2,000,000 CC-Link IE and CC-Link devices were installed in industrial automation applications during 2015, bringing the total number of nodes around the world to almost 17,000,000 by the end of the financial year in March 2016. Full Story...

OPC Foundation and CLPA sign Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate communications in machine to IT systems 03/05/2016
Digitalisation in all areas of industrial automation requires consistent communications across all levels while using Internet technologies, both inside and outside of the factory, for example to cloud-based services. The OPC Foundation and the CLPA hope to achieve this by developing an interface specification with harmonised access. Full Story...

CLPA and PI to cooperate for a transparent network infrastructure 08/12/2015
The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) and PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) are set to more closely collaborate with the aims of promoting and disseminating the use of open industrial networks.  Full Story...

CC-Link IE and CC-Link set a new record for global installed base 13/10/2015
The global footprint of CC-Link IE and CC-Link, the leading open industrial automation network technologies, has maintained its  average double digit annual growth rate, with the total number of devices installed worldwide reaching 14.75 million as of March 2015, compared to 12.6 million in March 2014. Full Story...

An Ethernet-based field network solution for Honda 28/09/2015
An increase in efficiency of production and operation management has been achieved by Honda Motor Company at its Yorii plant in Japan since the introduction of an Ethernet-based CC-Link IE Field Network. Full Story...

Meeting the requirements of Industry 4.0 08/09/2015
Suzanne Gill finds out what CC-Link IE has to offer those looking to reap the benefits of smarter factories and to achieve the goals set by the Industry 4.0 initiative. Full Story...

Network security landscape changes 13/08/2015
Industries as diverse as manufacturing, processing, refining, power generation, and food and drink processing are all considering ways to improve the security of their plant and control systems. John Browett of CLPA (CC-Link Partners Association) considers the current position and looks at how to mitigate potential threats. Full Story...

Cisco becomes a CC-Link Partner Association Board member 23/06/2015
The CC-Link Partner Association, which exists to promote the widespread usage of the Ethernet-based industrial open network CC-Link IE, has announced that will join the CLPA as a new board member, and that the company will collaborate on the promotion of solutions based on CC-Link IE.  Full Story...

CC-Link opens up Asian markets for measurement specialist 07/11/2014
In a recent video made with the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA), sensors and measurement specialist HBM Test and Measurement (HBM) has developed a CC-Link gateway module, which allows a single PLC to collect live data from multiple load cells. Full Story...

CC-Link gains strength as end-users automate 19/08/2014
Suzanne Gill reports on the increasing demand for CC-Link enabled solutions, as more Asian end-users in the manufacturing sector turn to automated production processes to ensure better quality products, and to reduce costs. Full Story...

Industry 4.0: a catalyst for trade with Asia? 07/01/2014
Since the concept was first highlighted, at the Hannover Messe this year, Industry 4.0 has been the buzzword on everyone’s lips. John Browett, general manager of The CC-Link Partners Association (CLPA), discusses its possible impact on international trade. Full Story...

AS-i and CC-Link forge stronger links 13/12/2013
AS-International and the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) have announced that the two associations are to work more closely together to provide a complete open network hierarchy for a wide range of application types. Full Story...

Event outlines access to China for the automation market 11/09/2013
The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) is to host ‘Gateway to China’, an event to help UK companies discover and access automation business opportunities in Asia. It takes place on September 24, 2013 at Mitsubishi Electric Europe offices in Hatfield. Full Story...

CC-Link benefits for Maruti Suzuki 27/08/2013
Maruti Suzuki is producing over 1.5 million vehicles annually. It has been the largest single producer in the Indian car market for over 25 years. The company produces 15 different brands and makes over 150 variants of its models. Full Story...

Industrial Ethernet – getting up to speed 02/01/2013
Control systems are the heartbeat of most manufacturing and processing companies. But with data communications systems growing ever larger, the need for a clear understanding of the supporting technology becomes more and more important. John Browett, general manager of the CC-Link Partner Association, offers an overview of current developments. Full Story...

CC-Link adds energy management capabilities 12/12/2012
Energy management functions have been added to the open CC-Link network to create a combined energy and production management control system. The new CC-Link IE Energy capabilities allow managers to monitor energy consumption by individual machines or processes over the same networks they are already using for general control purposes. Full Story...

The changing network security landscape 21/11/2012
Security requirements for industrial Ethernet networks are rapidly migrating from enterprise networks to process control and other industrial environments. The recent issues with the Stuxnet malware have been a wakeup call, and we now need to take a fresh look at how security is managed within industrial networks. John Browett of CLPA considers the potential threats to industrial network security, and how to mitigate them. Full Story...

Opening the door to China - Whitepaper 07/09/2012
Gaining access to the vast China marketplace is an essential step for many manufacturers today, enabling them to capitalise on new and emerging opportunities for business growth. Full Story...

Open network solution for automotive manufacturer 17/08/2012
CC-Link fieldbus is playing a pivotal role in building around 1200 Ford Mustang’s every day at a manufacturing plant. Each car travels around 20km through a robotised and automated production process at the US-based plant. Full Story...

CC-Link and the Gateway to China 18/05/2012
Suzanne Gill reports on a recent webinar, presented by John Browett, acting general manager of the CC-Link Partner Association for Europe, explaining the benefits that CC-Link can offer those looking to export to China. Full Story...

CC-Link sees better productivity for flat panel display manufacturers 24/01/2012
Production of flat screen liquid crystal displays (LCDs) at one of the largest plants in Asia has steadily ramped up to meet the ever-increasing demand. The process is now highly automated, so data communications are critically important. Full Story...

Winemaker blends timeless tradition with high-tech comms 10/01/2012
A Ukrainian winemaker is using CC-Link to help automate and expand the production of its world class wines and spirits. The Shabo vineyard in the Odessa region is combining high technology with the delicate art of fine wine production. Full Story...

CC-Link Partner Association announces Ethernet based safety networking 06/12/2011
CC-Link is a family of open network technologies that have a 10 year pedigree of growth in the global market, having now reached an installed base of over 8 million devices. A key part of this family are the CC-Link IE (Industrial Ethernet) variants, being the only open Ethernet based networks that offer gigabit performance. Full Story...

CC-Link welcomes its 1,500th member 19/07/2011
The CC-Link Partners Association (CLPA) has just seen its 1,500th member join, while the worldwide installed base now exceeds 8.5 million devices. Full Story...

Simplified energy monitoring over a CC-Link network 04/05/2011
Knowing where and when power is consumed is the first step to lowering energy bills. Achieving this, the Cube 400 Series Energy Meters from ND Metering Solutions is now available with CC-Link network connectivity. Full Story...

High performance RFID solutions for CC-link open networks 22/03/2011
With over 20 years experience in RFID, Balluff has introduced CC-Link network connectivity to its range of high performance BIS-M Series devices. Full Story...

CC-Link approval for Hilscher NXEB 100-NET development board 18/01/2011
CC-Link Partner Association has announced that the Hilscher netX network development and evaluation board NXEB 100-NET has been fully tested and certificated to CC-Link V2.0. Full Story...