Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are redefining the future of manufacturing and process automation, shifting the focus from isolated operations to intelligent, interconnected ecosystems. At the heart of this transformation lies the need for smarter, more cost-effective communication between industrial devices. Fieldbus technologies and electric actuators are emerging as key enablers of this digital shift, empowering organisations with real-time control, seamless integration, and actionable data insights.

AUMA Actuators Limited’s advanced range of electric actuators is installed in a wide range of process facilities worldwide, offering seamless compatibility with major fieldbus protocols including Profibus DP, Modbus RTU, and Foundation Fieldbus. This flexibility ensures that operators can integrate AUMA actuators into existing infrastructure with minimal friction, maximising both investment value and system uptime.

Fieldbus fundamentally transforms how devices communicate in an industrial setting. Unlike traditional analogue wiring systems, fieldbus enables digital, bi-directional communication over a single cable. This streamlines device interconnectivity whilst significantly reducing installation complexity, cabling costs, and commissioning time. The result is a more compact system footprint, lower total cost of ownership, and faster time to deployment.

“Each of the fieldbus systems that AUMA deploys offers numerous advantages in industrial automation,” explains Colin Borrows, Head of Sales for AUMA Actuators Limited. “From simplifying wiring and reducing costs to enhancing diagnostics and system flexibility, these technologies are critical to building reliable, scalable industrial networks.”

Electric actuators equipped with fieldbus connectivity become intelligent nodes within the control network. Advanced diagnostics embedded within the actuators enable predictive maintenance by identifying potential issues, such as wear or communication failures, before they impact operations. This data-driven foresight allows maintenance teams to act proactively, reducing unscheduled downtime and improving asset longevity.

Scalability is another critical advantage. Fieldbus systems enable operators to expand or reconfigure automation networks without overhauling the entire infrastructure. These systems foster interoperability between devices from multiple manufacturers, with support for open, standardised protocols, giving operators the freedom to choose best-in-class components without being locked into proprietary ecosystems.

Remote monitoring and control via fieldbus-enabled actuators support greater operational agility. Operators can make real-time adjustments, receive immediate feedback from field devices, and fine-tune performance parameters from centralised control rooms or even remote locations. This enhances safety and efficiency whilst supporting the agile, data-centric workflows demanded by modern industry.

Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Industrial Ethernet, and Modbus TCP are key communication protocols commonly used to interface electric actuators with valve control systems in industrial automation. These Ethernet-based protocols enable fast, reliable, and real-time communication between actuators, controllers, and supervisory systems, allowing for precise valve positioning and responsive control.

Compatibility with standard IT infrastructure simplifies integration, while high-speed data exchange enhances process efficiency and system responsiveness. By supporting interoperability among devices from different vendors, they help reduce wiring complexity and streamline diagnostics and maintenance. The standardised communication frameworks provided by these protocols ensure scalable and flexible deployment of electric actuators across a wide range of applications, improving overall system reliability and performance.

Colin Borrows concludes: “In an era where operational excellence is inseparable from digital capability, embracing fieldbus and electric actuator technologies isn’t just a technical upgrade it’s a strategic imperative.”