From Practice: At De & Co, They Can Find a PROFINET Fault in Just a Few Minutes

De & Co Hranice s.r.o. supplies production lines and robotic workstations for various industrial sectors. As the company gradually moved from smaller machines to large automated lines, the complexity of its communication networks increased as well. This created a need to diagnose PROFINET and at the same time connect securely and remotely to equipment already operating at customer sites. What technologies help their technicians do that?

A communication fault in larger networks = a needle in a haystack

De & Co Hranice s.r.o. started in 2008 by designing and manufacturing smaller machines, but over time it began supplying large production lines to customers in the automotive, food, and chemical industries. On one of its larger projects involving 150 PROFINET devices, the technicians ran into communication issues. They lacked a tool that would allow them to identify faults quickly and locate them within the network topology.

Managed switches are the key to operational data

De & Co approached us to help them uncover the problem in the network and advise them on how to prevent similar situations in the future. When a FOXON technician arrived at the company with a diagnostic case, the first step was to switch to managed switches. The unmanaged switches they had been using until then did not allow them to obtain the operational data needed from PROFINET. Typically, this includes port statistics, event logs, topology data, or SNMP monitoring. Once the switches had been replaced, it became possible to meaningfully measure and evaluate the network using the Atlas analyzer and PNT Tool.

“We had always used ordinary switches. But when we implemented a line with 150 PROFINET devices, we soon realized that we were not able to find faults in the network simply and quickly.”

Petr Bartošek, PLC programmer at De & Co, attending training at FOXON Academy

What do you find in the diagnostic case?

Based on their experience with our diagnostics, De & Co purchased and equipped a similar diagnostic case to the one our technicians use for long-term monitoring of customers’ networks and for commissioning production lines. Ours contains:

• Atlas diagnostic tool for PROFINET and PNT Tool software for detailed analysis
• A NODKA industrial computer for software installation
• An Ewon industrial router (4G) for secure remote VPN access and customer-site monitoring, especially during the first weeks of fine-tuning operations 

De & Co’s diagnostic case

First the equipment, then the know-how

To be able to use the analytical tools to their full potential, the PLC programmer at De & Co completed the PROFINET Network Diagnostics and Troubleshooting training course at FOXON Academy in Liberec. During the two-day course, he learned how to take care of PROFINET and, above all, received many practical tips and recommendations for working with both analyzers. The training covered all typical network faults as well as specific preventive steps to avoid problems.

An example of a PROFINET production line network topology from De & Co displayed using the analyzer

Why is PROFINET diagnostics crucial for De & Co?

  Quality assurance and production line fine-tuning

At De & Co, the case allows them to test communication on the line not only before shipment to the customer, but the case also travels with the machine to the customer site. Thanks to remote access to the machine, it helps during the first weeks with the overall fine-tuning of the line’s operation.

“Our goal is for every production line to leave us in perfect condition. The Atlas tester helps us diagnose communication thoroughly and reliably.”

Petr Bartošek, PLC programmer at De & Co

  Fast fault localization

In networks with hundreds of connectors, manually searching for random faults is practically impossible. Diagnostic tools can guide the technician directly to the problematic location, that is, a specific section, port, or station within the topology.

“We had some outages in the network, and the diagnostics remotely showed me the exact place where I sent a technician. He moved the cable a little, and it was immediately clear where the source of the problem was. Thanks to the equipment from FOXON, we were then able to quickly eliminate another four faults.”

Petr Bartošek, PLC programmer at De & Co

 Efficient collaboration thanks to remote access via the Ewon router

The first months of operation are crucial for fine-tuning a production line. Thanks to Ewon routers, De & Co technicians can solve problems remotely without the need for immediate on-site visits, saving time and costs for both sides. At the same time, access can be configured in accordance with the customer’s security rules.

Ewon in the control cabinet

“Above all, this is beneficial mainly for our customers, because we are able to carry out the initial diagnostics immediately. However, we also use remote access to monitor our equipment, which means we can keep it under constant supervision.”

Petr Bartošek, PLC programmer at De & Co

De & Co customers appreciate quality and fast service

Thanks to its investment in diagnostic tools and expert PROFINET diagnostics training at FOXON Academy, De & Co has gained tools that enable it to deliver production lines together with the assurance of stability and fast service. This professionalism opens the door to further projects not only in the Czech Republic.

De & Co Hranice s.r.o. specializes in production lines, robotic workstations, and manufacturing automation for demanding clients in the automotive, food, and chemical industries. The company has completed more than 640 successful projects. It always emphasizes professionalism and the technical quality of its deliveries.

Do you also build machines and equipment?

We can help you choose the right tools not only for diagnosing your PROFINET, but also for other industrial networks. We will also be happy to put together a professional diagnostic case tailored to your projects, and at FOXON Academy we will teach you to understand networks the way our technicians do.

Need help with your PROFINET? Contact the salesperson for your region.