axcontrol, Author at AX Control, Inc.

Digitalization and Digitization: What’s the Difference?

Close up of digitization/binary code. — Digitization/binary code

If you read industry publications, you’ve probably already come across the terms digitalization and digitization a couple of times today. But do you know the difference?

It’s easy to confuse the terms. But understanding how they differ will help you gain the most information and understanding of the digital mindset.

What is Digitalization?

According to IGI Global, Digitalization is the “adoption of digital technologies to modify a business model….by exploiting digital network dynamics and the giant digital flow of information.” On the other hand, digitalization leads to the creation of a digital business. According to Gartner, this is “the creation of new business designs by blurring the digital and physical worlds.” More about this in a minute.

What’s the Difference between Digitization and Digitalization?

Digitization is where digitalization begins, in the conversion of analog data into a digital form that can be processed by a computer. Digitalization transforms digitized data through the use of digital technologies like automation, computing, coding, AI, or IoT(to name a few) to change how work gets done. And while digitization can optimize and change the process to create a better workflow, reduce costs, or minimize waste, digitalization creates a core change that affects the entire business model.

Modbus: An Introduction to the Protocol

When you’re running a modern factory, you have many machines that need to communicate with each other. These conversations occur over communication protocols that integrate with whatever native ‘language’ the machines speak. However, communications must translate each language to allow other networked devices to understand them. Modbus is one of the protocols that allow this communication to occur.

Modbus gateway I/O module from Reliance Electric. — Modbus Gateway I/O Module from Reliance Electric

What is Modbus?

This is the oldest and most popular of these communication protocols. Published by Modicon in 1979, it was originally used with the company’s programmable logic controllers or PLCs. But Modicon developed Modbus as an open protocol. Anyone could use them for free without licensing. Since its original development many software vendors, manufacturers, and other groups/organizations have supported the protocol.

The communication protocol uses serial lines to send data between devices. This is as simple as a single serial cable connected to serial ports on a Master device and a Slave device. Data moves at 9600 baud (bits per second) as series of zeroes and ones. Each zero or one is a single bit. Data follows regular patterns so 8 bits identifies as a larger byte.

Modbus is a type of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) automation protocol. It is now owned by Schneider Electric. It is used to help devices and equipment communicate by providing a common language all can understand. This allows for different nodes on the network to interact with request/response type messages.

What Are Modbus Communication Protocol?

The original Modbus interface used serial RS-232 communication. However, as the technology developed, options expanded to include serial RS-485, serial RS-422, and Ethernet. Formatted Ethernet packets embed Modbus messages inside, creating versatile setups. Additionally, networks designed with mixed drops can run different protocols altogether. For example, a single network could run three drops, one using MB Ethernet TCP/IP, another MB RS-232, and a third MB RS-485.

Symax Class 8020 Fault Codes

Check out our list of Schneider Square D SyMax Class 8020 fault codes.

We offer these codes for those who would like to have more information about typical machine errors that may occur on your current equipment. Feel free to print out this list for quick reference. And if you need us, remember our team is here to assist with fast and professional repairs.

SyMax Class 8020 Model 300

The Symax Model 300 error codes will display on a connected CRT screen.

Error code	Description
01	Illegal protocol opcode, the SY/MAX device does not recognize the instruction
02	Illegal intermediate code format.
03	An illegal address has been attempted.SY/MAX device does not contain the requested register(s).
04	Illegal rack addressing has been attempted. Attempt was made to incorrectly edit rack addressing
05	1. An instruction has been attempted which is not supported in this type processor (Example: square root calculation attempted in Model 300 processor.) 2. Incorrect mode set for NIM port connected to a processor (receiving device). Mode set for 8881 mode or peripheral mode. 3. In a Nel-to-Net link, the two NIMs have different address settings (on thumb-wheels), or link is between ‘0’ port on one and ‘l’ port on the other.
06	Unable to find the searched-for item.
07	An attempt has been made to alter data in a protected register
08	An attempt has been made to access protected memory
09	An attempt has been made to alter data in a READ ONLY register or a register containing external inputs
10	An attempt has been made to exceed memory limitations
11	Communication Error. Sy/Max Device went into an overflow condition
12	Illegal CPU rack addressing. Attempted rack address is incompatible with processor hardware
13	Communications error (link error.)
14	Operation not allowed to run.
15	Communications overflow.
16	The register count in a communication rung is too large for the processor.
17	Unable to establish communications to remote Sy/Max Device.
18	The rung number used is not allowed
19	An illegal READ parameter has been assigned
20	Channel number in a communication rung is too large for the processor.

The first 20 error codes on a Model 300