Current state
The development of the open standard CANopen CiA-417 has began in year 2001. The present public version 2.0 of the specification has existed since December 2009 and is supported by many products. These products are tested for compatibility and interoperability at the regularly PlugFests.
Almost a year after its release version 2.0 has declared stable and was published under an open licence. Many products implemented the features and have been running successfully in the field. Therefore the SIG Lift concluded at the meeting on 7th September 2010 that the version 2.1 should be transitioned into the Draft Standard (DS) and offered as a free download. The publishing of this version is expected at the beginning of year 2011.
Meanwhile the standard was extended by many features and is close to its passing of version 2.1. This version provides functions for measuring the energy consumption of lifts, control commands for reduction of the energy use of components, functions for accelerating the start and stop of lifts and extensions for the diagnose of networks.
The marketing group (SMG Lift) organised multiple trade-fair appearances, constructed the CANopen-Lift Demonstrator and worked out a flyer about the standart CANopen-Lift. Currently the trade-fair appearances for Mailand 2010 and the Interlift 2011 as well as the exhibition in Heilbronn + Schwelm 2011 are prepared. Furthermore a road show for the springtime of 2011 in Lindau, Berlin and Düsseldorf is planned.
The list of manufacturers for CANopen-Lift products is becomming longer and more international. By now, CANopen-Lift products are produced in Germany, Great Britain, France, Sweden und Switzerland. In Australia, India, Italy and Spain are more products developed.
For most of the products are already alternatives by multiple manufacturers available which decreases the costs of the offered modules. Even before the Interlift 2011 three additional control systems, two inverters, tableaus and displays are offered.
The reference list shows that the offered systems have placed themselves firmly on the market.