For a period of two days, participants subjected their EtherCAT masters and slaves to rigorous interoperability testing, discussed open questions, and prepared the devices for future marketing. Additionally, the ETG shared exclusive information about prospective EtherCAT device test developments to the members.
The 2014 North American EtherCAT Plug Fest was also highlighted by the location of the two-day event. The Savage, Minnesota facility of Beckhoff Automation LLC also houses the North American EtherCAT Test Centre (ETC), which was accredited by the ETG at the beginning of 2014. The goals of the event were to test EtherCAT devices from the 35 participants for interoperability, to strengthen the exchange between the ETG and the ETC test engineer, and to lay the groundwork for continued success of the test centre and the EtherCAT Technology Group in North America.
Rainer Hoffmann from the ETG in Germany who was onsite at this Plug Fest, noted his pleasure regarding the mix of EtherCAT masters and slaves brought to the event: "Thanks to the balance of EtherCAT masters and slaves, we were able to concentrate on all device types in equal measure, clear many open questions, explain test proceedings, and discuss best practice experiences with the attendees."
In addition to utilizing the official EtherCAT Conformance Test Tool (CTT), the ETG representatives also presented a beta version of a new CTT - representing an opportunity for the attending EtherCAT device manufacturers to review the current development status of the tool. Additionally, the manufacturers of EtherCAT devices for the semiconductor industry received information about the development of EtherCAT device tests specific to their industry.
(Jim Evans)
