Trends and Technology Engineering Standards Engineering Standards Standards drive innovation, productivity and manufacturing efficiency Engineering standards such as SERCOS III, IEC 61131 and PLCopen provide a crucial, open framework that enables much of today’s manufacturing efficiency and automation productivity. Through open standards, machine designers and builder can create solutions that use components from different manufacturers in a system. Standards free engineers to design machines and automation platforms that are flexible, innovative and low-risk, since numerous manufacturers support the standards, providing long-term stability and the ability to react to unique customer requirements in a global economy. Learn why Bosch Rexroth Controls supports open standards such as SERCOS III SERCOS SERCOS III: Powering automation innovation SERCOS III is the third generation of the SERCOS organization. SERCOS stands for SErial Realtime COmmuincation System: a digital motion control bus that interconnects motion controls, drives, I/Os, sensors and actuators for numerically controlled machines and systems. It is an open controller-to-intelligent digital device interface, designed for high-speed serial communication of standardized closed-loop real-time data over a noise-immune, fiber optic ring (SERCOS I & II) or Industrial Ethernet cable (SERCOS III). Discover the automation advantages of SERCOS III Related Resources Free SERCOS III Webinars Rexroth Automation and Motion Control Increases Production for Tea Packaging Machine (PDF 293 KB) IEC 61131-3 Languages Key Engineering Standards Trend: IEC 61131-3 The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) identifies five standard programming languages and over 100 functions as the most common for both process and discrete programmable controllers. This engineering standard also creates a cross-platform method for addressing internal memory and real-world interfaces. Using products that embrace this standard allow the creation of nearly-hardware-independent programs that can utilize best-in-class products and support. Which language is the right one to use? Factors such as application complexity, the capabilities of the PLC/PAC and the ability to transfer the program code are all important to consider. Read “Understanding the IEC 61131-3 Programming Languages.” (PDF 1.1 MB) Expert Help on Engineering Standards The better you understand today’s engineering standards, the more useful they can be in helping optimize the design and performance of your automation solutions. Our applications engineers can show you how to take full advantage of the potential today’s standards offer to enhance your engineering efforts. Contact us.