The 2015 Japanese EtherCAT Plug Fest was held 10-11 September at the facilities of Beckhoff Japan in Yokohama. The ETG was pleased with the improved quality, variety, and functional range of devices at the event, even when compared to the equally impressive results from the year before. In 2015, the Plug Fest had significantly more devices exhibiting advanced features such as highly-precise synchronization through Distributed Clocks, as well as modular device description (Modules/Slots). Additionally, the number of new and unique EtherCAT Slave Controller (ESC) implementations was deemed remarkable by the attending ETG officials.
Shortly after the Japan event, the 2015 North American EtherCAT Plug Fest took place in Newark, New Jersey, USA. Hosted by ETG member company Panasonic, a wide variety of international and local participants attended the Plug Fest to test their EtherCAT master and slave devices for interoperability. The new version of the EtherCAT Conformance Test Tool (CTT), which is currently in the approval process, garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from all attending slave manufacturers during the testing process. The comprehensive extension of the test coverage gained very positive feedback, as well. This feedback is of particular value for the responsive ETG Conformance Working Group.
Both events were characterised by a great openness, highlighted by the energetic knowledge exchange among the participants. Attendees to both Plug Fests confirmed the value of these events and the opportunity to learn more about the EtherCAT protocol and the ETG itself.
(Jim Evans)
