We specialize in the design and construction of industrial networks to control the operation of machines and individual business processes. The solutions we provide are fully tailored to the individual needs of our clients, combining the latest technologies with high quality devices and wide configuration options. The industrial networks we create allow for full plant automation, improving communication between individual devices and entire production lines.
Traditional infrastructure based on copper industrial networks will be an effective solution for small and medium-sized companies and offices. The CAT 5E network parameters allow for fast and stable data transport in the Gigabit Ethernet standard up to 1000BASE-T. On the other hand, when designing advanced industrial networks to control the production infrastructure, we use CAT 6A or CAT 7 standards, which are characterized by higher throughput, better noise suppression at high frequencies and a higher security standard.
Copper industrial networks are used, among others by:
In addition to copper infrastructure, we also design industrial networks based on fiber optic technology with certification and a 20-year warranty for the solutions we provide. Optical fiber industrial networks can be used both in the office and in industrial plants. In relation to the copper infrastructure, the optical fiber allows for the creation of more efficient, faster and more stable connections at much greater distances, thanks to which this type of industrial networks is an optimal solution when it is necessary to ensure rapid data transmission between two distant points.
Due to the numerous and difficult-to-meet requirements that are placed on industrial devices, as well as the constantly progressing development of solutions available on the market, a modern industrial network must take into account many more and more modern functionalities. Currently, these are not only switches that connect individual components and enable control of data transmission, but also non-uniform types of other components, for example in the form of wireless modules. Thanks to them, it is possible to connect mobile end devices or transport systems to the automation network.
A trend that is gaining in popularity among entrepreneurs is also the fact that both the already existing networks and the industrial network projects under development are increasingly being enriched with advanced components focused on achieving a high level of security. Thanks to their use, the entire system becomes better protected, while maintaining the possibility of obtaining encrypted remote access to individual devices or machines belonging to it.
All the above-mentioned aspects, as well as other innovations operating on the market, which can be equipped with specific types of industrial networks, are key in the context of maintaining a competitive advantage over other companies operating in a given industry. Therefore, we attach great importance to QITNetworks to implement modern industrial networks for our customers, with maximum efficiency and long-term reliability.
Many years of experience on the market, reliable knowledge, high qualifications of staff and excellent relations with numerous business partners enable us to provide optimal, failure-free solutions that guarantee free communication, even, and maybe even especially when we create very well-developed industrial network projects.
There are many classification methods from which specific types of industrial networks can be distinguished. Therefore, this topic is extremely complex and, as a rule, we discuss it with clients primarily through the prism of the specifics of their activities and their individual needs. However, in order to provide you with at least a general idea of what solutions the market offers in this area, we present a short summary below, in which we have described the three most important types of industrial networks.
One of the most general breakdown factors that can be adopted to distinguish particular types of industrial networks is what data they carry and what devices they use for this purpose. The first variant of the system to be achieved in this way will be discrete industrial fieldbus networks, which are designed to connect controllers to remote I / O circuits. Networks of this type are used for communication, inter alia, enconders, motor controllers, variable frequency VFD drives, vision systems, as well as a variety of process instruments and other devices for which complex data generation is specific. Other types of industrial networks are process variants and sensor / actuator networks. As its name already indicates, the process industrial network allows communication primarily with process instruments, as well as communication with actuators. Among the specific examples of components from the above-mentioned categories, one can mention, among others, control valve, flow meter, level sensor or temperature or pressure sensors.
Process industrial networks can be used in work areas with a risk of explosion and fire. For this reason, they are often used in oil refineries. In addition, they are also often found in pharmaceutical, chemical, and water purification and treatment plants.
The last of the industrial network variants mentioned is a sensor / actuator network. It is designed to operate relatively simple devices, such as limit switches or various buttons and valves, where the entire control is limited to the switching off and on functions.
All types of industrial networks briefly described above generally have one thing in common. In most cases, they allow a specific group of devices to be connected to a single controller or to a higher-level network. In addition, all of them provide controllers and devices with communication based on multipoint, bi-directional, digital and serial connections.
The Ethernet network is still one of the most widely used in both Polish and foreign enterprises. However, this solution is constantly evolving, which entails not only benefits, but also some disadvantages. Among the latter, it is worth mentioning that with the increase in the number of components supporting industrial Ethernet networks, the risk of undesirable information flow within it also increases, which in turn may result in disruptions of the processes operating in the plant. Such a risk may be related to, for example, improper loop establishment or connection of an unauthorized device to the network.
Therefore, in order to ensure trouble-free communication, professional industrial network designs should take into account appropriate, dedicated protocols, including, for example, PROFINET or EtherNet / IP. At this point, however, there is an additional problem related to the fact that not all devices supported by the industrial network will be able to cooperate with them while enabling effective data transmission. This is a factor that must be kept in mind when designing industrial networks or expanding existing systems.
In addition, the aspects resulting from the latest technological trends operating on the market are also extremely important from the designer's perspective. Among them there are solutions such as, for example, intelligent devices or clouds that are becoming more and more popular. When creating industrial networks, it is also worth considering options for remote maintenance of devices. It is also imperative to consider cybersecurity issues.
As you can see, there are many elements that need to be carefully analyzed when developing comprehensive designs of industrial networks. At the same time, they are fundamental to the company's efficiency. At QITNetworks, we are well aware of the challenges faced by the entity responsible for implementing such a complex solution as an industrial network. Therefore, when you start working with us, you can be sure that every detail of the emerging system, both mentioned and not mentioned above, will be well thought out by us and adjusted precisely to the specifics of your company.
The main advantage of QITNetworks is a very strong specialization in its field, thanks to which each industrial network implemented by us provides end users with a fast data flow, no disruptions, long-term reliability, as well as a high level of protection. In addition, all the industrial networks we create, with the aforementioned advantages, also remain easy to use and reduce as much as possible in terms of costs necessary for the investor.
A very important advantage of our offer is the fact that when implementing industrial network projects, we do not stop working with the client after delivering the ready solution. After completing the work, we move on to the stage of collecting measurements and carrying out analyzes, the culmination of which is the issuance of a special certificate equivalent to, inter alia, with a 20-year warranty for the system we have implemented. In addition, along with the certificate, you will also receive access to the space located in the cloud, which contains detailed project documentation and the results of previously performed measurements and analyzes. Thanks to this, your industrial network will ultimately be much easier to maintain or possible later expansion.
