In order to serve its global membership even better, the EtherCAT Technology Group has opened offices in China and North America. In close cooperation with the Headquarters in Germany and the Japanese office, the new offices are now available for all kinds of requests regarding the EtherCAT technology.

The North American office is based near Austin, Texas, and is overseen by ETG North American representative, Joey Stubbs. Joey joins the EtherCAT Technology Group with several years of experience with the next generation Ethernet-based fieldbus as well as numerous other major industrial protocols. Prior to joining the ETG, he worked as a Sales and Applications Engineer with Beckhoff Automation where he strengthened his expertise in the areas of industrial Ethernet, fieldbuses, automation, PC-based control, PLCs and motion control. Joey Stubbs holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Carolina, as well as several technical degrees. He is also a registered Professional Engineer. With his years of technical experience working with EtherCAT industrial applications, ETG is convinced that he is an ideal fit for the organization and will have an immediate impact serving the ETG member companies in North America.

The Chinese office is located in Beijing, and is managed by the ETG China Representative Beryl Fan. Beryl has a technology marketing background and has been involved in the promotion of EtherCAT in China since mid-2006. She is supported by YanQiang Liu, from Beihang University. YanQiang holds a PhD in engineering and is an acknowledged EtherCAT expert. He just finished a six month training period in Germany, where he studied EtherCAT in detail and developed software tools for analyzing network traffic. Thus the Beijing Team combines marketing and technical expertise in an ideal way to further accelerate the EtherCAT adoption in China.

The EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) is an organization in which key user companies from various industries and leading automation suppliers join forces to support, promote and advance the EtherCAT technology. With over 500 members, the EtherCAT Technology Group has become the largest organization in the world that is exclusively focused on Industrial Ethernet technologies. Founded in November 2003, it is also currently the fastest growing fieldbus organization.

EtherCAT sets new standards for real-time performance and topology flexibility, whilst meeting or undercutting fieldbus cost levels. EtherCAT features include high precision device synchronization, a cable redundancy option, and a functional safety protocol (SIL3). EtherCAT is an IEC specification (IEC/PAS 62407).

Picture caption:
Dr. YanQiang Liu, Joey Stubbs, Beryl Fan (left to right)




For further information please see www.ethercat.org

Courtesy of EtherCAT