Case Study: Schiebel achieves future-proof, highly available actuator connectivity with Hilscher communication solutions

Schiebel enables plug-and-play actuator networking with Hilscher’s netIC 52 and netRAPID 90

Schiebel Antriebstechnik GmbH, a global manufacturer of safety-critical actuators for industries like oil and gas and power generation, faced the challenge of modernizing the networking capabilities of its control systems. Operating in conservative markets, Schiebel needed a highly flexible and future-proof solution to integrate various industrial communication protocols while maintaining the utmost safety and availability. To meet this need, they turned to vendor Hilscher for its embedded communication modules.

Hilscher provided its netIC and netRAPID 90 modules, built on the multi-protocol netX 90 system-on-chip. This solution allowed Schiebel to develop a new, universal control board that could handle a vast range of protocols—from fieldbus to Real-Time Ethernet and IIoT standards like OPC UA—without hardware changes. The implementation provided Schiebel with high redundancy, maximum security, and the flexibility to easily adapt to future customer requirements, ensuring their actuators will support critical infrastructures as networking increases.

Schiebel