Simulation studies and laboratory testing have shown that Ethernet, **if
properly implemented**, can effectively communicate real-time control
system traffic. A proper implementation of a control level Ethernet
network requires that a device's Ethernet network interface
implementation be able to identify and preferentially handle control
system traffic.

EtherNet/IP is an open specification of network communication protocol
standards optimized to support real-time control system communication
needs. CRW is conducting a production pilot of Rockwell Automation's
implementation of EtherNet/IP on an underbody assembly line at Pontiac
MFD. A successful pilot will pave the way to eliminate the need to
design, install, configure, and support ControlNet networks (dedicated,
special purpose, manufacturing control networks) in vehicle assembly
plants.

Upgrading the current Ethernet interface on robot controllers to support
EtherNet/IP control signal traffic will eliminate the DeviceNet network
interface and the DeviceNet cable currently used for a PLC to control a
robot's actions. A single EtherNet/IP interface on weld controllers
could replace the two network interfaces currently required to
communicate with those devices. An enhancement to a robot controller's
EtherNet/IP implementation would allow message routing between the
EtherNet/IP network and the robot's end-of-arm DeviceNet network.

The benefits of expanding an EtherNet/IP network to include robot
controllers and weld controllers will only be realized when **all** of
GM's key suppliers of these devices provide quality EtherNet/IP
implementations supporting a common set of features. The EtherNet/IP
Implementors Workshop is intended to be a catalyst for this to occur.
The Workshop will provide our suppliers with the opportunity to mutually
agree upon a core set of networking features and functionality to be
provided, to interact with other companies who have implemented or are
in the process of implementing EtherNet/IP products to learn from their
experiences, and also to recognize that now is an appropriate timeframe
for implementing these capabilities in their product offerings.

At the request of the Open DeviceNet Vendors Association (ODVA)
EtherNet/IP Enabler Special Interest Group chair, and with the
understanding that EtherNet/IP control message signaling, message
relaying between EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet networks, and EtherNet/IP
conformance and performance testing will be topics for the Workshop to
address, GM CRW has agreed to host an EtherNet/IP Implementors Workshop
planning and promotional seminar in September and the first two-day
Workshop meeting sometime in early November at its GM Technical Center
facilities. These meetings will be open to any ODVA member company
expressing an interest in implementing EtherNet/IP. Rockwell Automation
and Pyramid Solutions have agreed to co-sponsor and actively participate
in this effort. GM CRW will be specifically requesting that our key
robot suppliers (Fanuc Robotics, ABB Robotics, and Kuka Robotics) and
our key weld controller suppliers (Square D and Weldtronics) have
representatives attend these Workshop meetings. Given sufficient
supplier interest, future Workshop meetings will likely be held
quarterly during 2002.