Specifications

e October
Connection 4 2014
By: Pat Morrissey
Automation Specialist
Holland, MI
The need for automation is greater today than ever before. Linear
Displacement Transducers play an important role in factory automa-
tion, providing accurate, reliable, absolute position feedback to help
automate today’s sophisticated machinery. Sensors must deliver
value, be easy to set up and interface easily into the host controller.
Introducing ReadyLink™ Network LDT
•The ReadyLink™ EtherNet/IP™ LDT with RapidRecall™ is Ametek’s
newest linear displacement transducer (LDT) being developed with an
EtherNet/IP™ network interface.
• EtherNet/IP™ is an Industrial Ethernet implementation of the Com-
mon Industrial Protocol (CIP), managed by the Open DeviceNet Ven-
dors Association (ODVA). EtherNet/IP™ was introduced in 2001 and
today is the most developed, proven and complete industrial Ethernet
network solution available for manufacturing automation.
The Network LDT provides maximum exibility for installation and
ease of use in demanding, high-performance, networked industrial ap-
plications. EtherNet/IP™ systems require only a single point network
connection for both conguration and control, thus simplifying instal-
lation and wiring. Their linear displacement transducer line utilizes
advanced, proven Magnetostrictive technology to provide highly
precise and absolute non-contact position feedback down to 1 micron
resolution. Ametek packages these sensors to survive in the most de-
manding and hostile environments. The position of the magnet on the
sensing element is precisely determined by a time of ight method.
The LDT converts this position value where it is transmitted to the
customer controller via the Ethernet Network.
The Network LDT is available in two different package styles; the
953N is our Rod Style package that is suitable for installation into
hydraulic cylinders and their 957N Brik Low Prole Style package
that incorporates the same electronics but is housed in an aluminum
style extrusion.
Features
• RapidRecall™ Conguration Module
• Supports: Star, Line & DLR (Device Level Ring) topology
• Supports Encoder 22h Prole
• 5 status LEDs to monitor functionality of LDT and Network status
• IP address selection exibility – Providing both local switch &
software setting capability
• Setup via web browser – No special conguration software required
• Ability to backup and restore unit conguration in RapidRecall™
Conguration Module
• Ability to reset unit to factory defaults
• Diagnostics and alarm functionality (web page)
• Status Bits: Position & Velocity out of programmable limits range
• Wide input power operating range (7 – 30VDC) – Standard M12
connector
• IP67 Rated
• Non-contact technology (Magnetostrictive)
• Longevity: Nothing to wear out
• Simplied system wiring
Overview
The Network LDT supports Star, Line and Device Level Ring
(DLR) topology and supports static IP address setting or DHCP
(Dynamic Host Control Protocol). DLR provides device level
network rerouting in the event of a break in the ring. The static
IP address can be assigned via the network, or the last octet
can be set manually via three rotary DIP switches. There are ve
diagnostic LEDs located on the cover next to the connectors that
indicate the status of the LDT and Network communication.
Data is communicated over the Ethernet Network using two
types of messaging:
• I/O Messaging (Position, Velocity & Status Bits)
• Explicit Messages (Parameters & Conguration)
I/O Messaging is used for time critical data such as position,
velocity and status. Explicit messages are used for conguration
data such as position scaling, resolution and count direction,
among other parameters. The EtherNet/IP™ Network LDT mod-
ule conforms to the Encoder device prole device type 22h. The
AMETEK ReadyLink™ EtherNet/IP™ LDT with RapidRecall™
is a smart device; it has a RapidRecall™ Conguration Module
to help aid in conguration of the LDT. This module is located
on the head assembly of the LDT, next to the connectors. The
RapidRecall™ module can be used to help congure the static
IP address of the LDT and store all user dened congurations.
In the module there are three rotary DIP switches that allow
the user to congure how the IP address is assigned as well as
other functions. Once the LDT has been congured, these set-
tings can be uploaded to the module. One of the key benets to
uploading the conguration data to the RapidRecall™ module is
that if anything was to ever go wrong with the LDT, the RapidRe-
call™ module with the entire user programmed settings can be
removed from the original unit and installed on the replacement
unit. With a simple setting of the DIP switches the user con-
guration settings can be downloaded from the RapidRecall™
module to the new LDT. The Network LDT has three connectors.
The incoming power is supplied via a 4-pin M12-A style connec-
tor. The network communication will be through either of the two
4-pin M12-D coded connectors.
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