The third phase of automation is introducing smart components with the ability to process simple control functions, on a communications network, close to the processes they control. The concept of device-level control is the enabling of distributed components to process functions and logic rather than just communicating back to the PLC for those functions. This provides users with a number of new capabilities. Smart components can now be used where time critical activities didn't allow devices on a network to function with enough speed or repeatability. Because the logic needed to perform that operation can be kept within the smart device, the time for an input to be sensed and output to be actuated has decreased significantly.
Smart components can also replace custom and specialized products.
Previously, assemblies such as sections of conveyors and simple machines were built with specialized or custom control equipment. Smart components have the ability to be programmed using a variety of different function blocks outside of the embedded inputs, outputs and diagnostic. Bi-stable latches such as RS and SR are also available. These functions can be assembled in the appropriate sequences to mimic the functionality of specialized products. Since smart components are programmable, their function can easily be changed over the network when the needs of the device change.