Mitsubishi Electric and NEC Enter Partnership in FA Networking Products

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Takashi Kitaoka, president) and NEC Corp. (Hisashi Kaneko, president) have reached agreement to enter into a partnership in the field of networking-related products for use with factory automation (FA) equipment.

Mitsubishi Electric will provide NEC with FA networking technologies and in return NEC will adopt the FA networking system advocated by Mitsubishi Electric in its FC98-NX personal computer (PC) line, which will build on the FC-9800 PC line for FA use and global-standard PC98-NX line, which will go into production in the future.

Using its accumulated know-how in applying information networking technologies at manufacturing sites, NEC will join Mitsubishi Electric in planning and developing FA networking-related application software, to develop and sell software products related to various networks.

Objectives of the partnership

1. Mitsubishi Electric and NEC will jointly promote networking at manufacturing sites such as factories and develop an approach that enables users to construct systems easily at these manufacturing sites.

2. The adherence of NEC (--a leading maker of information communication devices--) to the FA networking system advocated by Mitsubishi Electric (--the top maker of FA devices--) will enable the two companies to enhance system compatibility in both the information and control areas in the manufacturing sector, so as to respond to the increasingly diverse needs and uses of FA devices.

3. In addition to its own FA controllers, Mitsubishi Electric will adopt and promote NEC's FA PCs and networking-related software developed by NEC as its upper layer processing devices (or controllers), which function as programmable controllers for connectable products, in its domestic and international FA networks. NEC will do the same with regard to Mitsubishi Electric's MELSEC Series programmable controllers and remote I/0 units. The two companies will jointly promote the sale of their products by stressing their compatibility and connectability in joint presentations and exhibitions.

4. Mitsubishi Electric is the top manufacturer of FA equipment in Japan. It is now striving to attain a 20% share of the world market under its "Global 20" campaign, which aims to enhance sales and technical support offices in the international market place.

NEC is the top maker of FA personal computers that can handle a wide range of applications, extending from production processes to site control. The company is now planning to aggressively expand its operations in the international market, in addition to continuing to grow in the domestic market.

5. Mitsubishi Electric and NEC will combine their sales forces in the international market in order to promote the sale of their FA networking products to manufacturing industries overseas. Competition is intensifying, particularly in Asia against US and European makers. Mitsubishi Electric and NEC will promote the expansion of the Asian market for production facilities through their new partnership.

In addition, the two companies plan to exhibit their products and undertake demonstrations at the Mitsubishi Electric stand at the System Control Fair to be held from October 28 through 31.

Technical details of the partnership

The technical details of the partnership under which Mitsubishi Electric will provide NEC with technical assistance and chips for FA PC networks and the two parties will jointly develop products can be summarized as follows.

1. MELSECNET/10

Develop an interface for NEC-made FA PCs.

Develop network application software.

2. CC-Link Master Station Features

Develop an interface for NEC-made FA PCs.

3. CC-Link Slave Station Features

Develop an interface to connect NEC-made logistical bar code readers (OBR).

The developments listed above will allow NEC's FA PCs and Mitsubishi Electric's MELSEC Series programmable controllers to be connected at 10 MBPS, which will make it possible to send control information at high speed and enable easy construction of manufacturing systems.

The listed developments will also allow users to connect NEC FA PCs and Mitsubishi Electric FA devices such as programmable controllers so as to maximize the use of their FA PCs.

Outline of FA networking covered by the partnership

At production sites in the manufacturing sector, each layer is networked.

1. Upper-layer network

Acting on instructions from the higher system, the upper-layer network connects controllers such as FA PCs and programmable controllers that control a site's devices, to convey information on production planning or production records.

2. Inter-PC network

The inter-PC network connects controllers such as FA PCs and programmable controllers that manage and control site devices, to send real-time information to control sites.

3. Lower-layer network (field network)

The lower-layer network connects the FA PCs and programmable controllers with site equipment, to send information, including control instructions, setup conditions, and sensor signals, to site equipment at high speed.

MELSECNET/10 is an inter-PC network and as such is one of the most important networks processing information passed to and from FA controllers, including programmable controllers.

CC-Link is a lower-layer network (field network) and as such is a controlling network that connects various pieces of FA equipment, such as switches, sensors, and drives.

By connecting MELSECNET/10 and NEC FA PCs, we will integrate information and control in the FA area through easier exchange of information between FA PCs and programmable controllers.

In addition, connecting with CC-Link will allow NEC PCs to be connected to a wide range of Mitsubishi Electric FA products, such as CC-Link Partner Maker sensors and drivers, thereby substantially expanding the scope for using FA PCs and other FA equipment.

Attachments

1. Diagram of FA network layers

2. Diagram of FA network