1. Action context

Manufacturers of packaging machines are wondering whether it would be worthwhile to integrate field networks into their automation systems.

A survey was carried out among system manufacturers and integrators of field network solutions. This enabled us to describe the solutions recommended for applications such as packaging machines.

The aim of this report is to validate the technical and economic criteria highlighted above by comparing them with the reality of the systems and machines produced by the packaging industry.

The aim is to analyze two or three typical machines from a number of manufacturers participating in the "field networks" working group. The analysis focuses on the choice of architectures and technical solutions:

• for participating companies, it provides...