Nuremberg, Germany, 2009-01-02. The CAN in Automation (CiA) nonprofit organization has released the CiA 444 three-part CANopen profiles for container-handling machine add-on devices. The profiles specify the CANopen interfaces for crane spreaders (part 2) and for spreaders of straddle carriers (part 3). Part 1 specifies the general definitions.

The following companies among others have participated in the development of the profile specification: Bromma, NSL Engineering (RAM Spreaders), VDL Containersystemen, Gottwald, Stinis, ifm electronic, Sontheim Industrie Elektronik, Liebherr, Noell and Kalmar. Implementing the profile the container-handling machine “speaks” with its spreader in a standardized way using pre-defined “CANopen phrases” thus exchanging configuration, control and diagnostics data. Add-on devices compliant to the profile are linkable with a minimum of time and configuration effort.

CANopen is a standardized application layer (EN 50325-4) for CAN (Controller Area Network), an internationally standardized serial bus system (ISO 11898-1/2). The CAN serial bus system was originally designed for the use in passenger cars, and is therefore very reliable and suitable for outdoor applications. The CANopen application layer is the standardized solution for embedded control systems. It is applied in many machine control systems, in medical electronics, and in a broad range of off-highway vehicles.

CAN in Automation (CiA) e. V. is the international users’ and manufacturers’ group for Controller Area Network (CAN). The nonprofit association was founded in 1992 and is supported by more than 500 members (as of January 2009).