January 2016 marks 15 years since the founding of the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) in the Americas, and the birth of the family of CC-Link open automation network technologies.
According to CLPA, the past 15 years have been momentous ones for the automation world with discrete wiring superseded by fieldbuses and Ethernet becoming accepted as technology robust enough for the shop floor.
CC-Link fieldbus quickly established a leading position in the Japanese market and its manufacturing base, said CLPA. From there, global expansion of end users within the automotive and other industries spread it throughout Asia and beyond. In the process, fieldbus technology matured and offered additional functionality, such as a SIL 3 certified safety network.
Also read: What manufacturing facilities need to know about network security
“The world has changed in many ways over the last 15 years, with technology often being the main driver," said Robert Miller, director of CLPA Americas. "Anniversaries are often a good time to reflect on what has been achieved and put it into a wider context. They are also valuable as they encourage us to look forward and plan for the medium and long-term future.
“It is clear that open networks will continue to grow around the world and that the CLPA is strong and getting stronger. Industrial Ethernet clearly has a very dynamic future, and CC-Link IE is set to maintain its leadership position in that area.”
