Organisation
Introduction
The EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) is the forum in which key user companies from various industries and leading automation suppliers join forces to support, promote and advance the EtherCAT technology.
Goals of the Group
EtherCAT is an open technology. The EtherCAT Technology Group stands for this approach and ensures that every interested company may implement and use EtherCAT.
At the same time the EtherCAT Technology Group aims to ensure the compatibility of EtherCAT implementations by defining functional requirements, conformance tests as well as certification procedures.
ETG's goal is to ensure that EtherCAT technology meets and exceeds the requirements of the widest possible application range. In order to accomplish this goal the group combines leading control and application experts from machine builders, system integrators, end users and automation suppliers to provide both qualified feedback about application of the existing technology and proposals for future extensions of the specification.
The EtherCAT Technology Group organizes user and vendor meetings (e.g. Technical Committee) in which the latest EtherCAT developments are reviewed and discussed in regular periodical sessions.
Benefits of Membership
EtherCAT device vendors are encouraged to join ETG so that they get access to development products and implementation support as well as their own EtherCAT vendor ID and the Conformance Test Tool. EtherCAT users support the technology and its adaptation to their industry by joining the ETG.
- ETG members have access to the members-only part of the EtherCAT website, which provides specifications, implementation guidelines, a developers forum, the EtherCAT Knowlege Base and other up-to-date information regarding the technology.
- EtherCAT development products are intended for ETG members only.
- Group members get preferred access to specification drafts, white papers, proceedings of ETG events, evaluation products and thus have a head start in evaluating, using or implementing the EtherCAT technology.
- Members are eligible to participate in working groups or technical committees and thus have influence on future enhancements of the EtherCAT technology specifications. A list of all ETG Working Groups is available within the members-only area.
- ETG represent the member’s interest in international standardization committees such as IEC and ISO.
- Latest information about the group, further developments of the technology and possible marketing participation as well as upcoming events is distributed via the ETG info mail (member's newsletter).
- The member companies may use the EtherCAT logo to show their support for this technology as well as the EtherCAT Technology Group logo to show their membership in the group.
- ETG members are eligible to promote their EtherCAT product(s) in the EtherCAT Product Guide and at ETG joint booths at major trade shows.
- The membership is free of charge.
Apply for Membership
If you are interested in becoming a member of the EtherCAT Technology Group, please contact the ETG Headquarters by phone or email. All necessary information, e.g. requirements as well as the membership application form will be provided.
You can download the ETG By-Laws within the download section.