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ARTICLE
IO-Link makes sensors fit for Industry 4.0
S
ensors play an important role as “organs of
perception” in automated solutions.
To implement Industry 4.0 concepts in the automation
industry, sensors do not only need to provide measured
values or signals, but the latter also need to be
communicated. This type of communication should always
be simple and efficient – from sensor level via control
and process control level up to company level. This is the
only way to benefit from the many advantages offered by
Industry 4.0.
ifm opts for IO-Link to ensure simple and efficient digital
sensor communication. This interface, which is integrated in
almost all new sensors that ifm puts on the market, is added
to the standard analogue interfaces such as 4...20 mA. What is
more, IO-Link has the potential for replacing analogue transfer
of measured values. Since IO-Link data transmission is digital,
measured values cannot be distorted by interference on the
cable. Another great advantage of IO-Link transmission is the
option to add further information, such as status information
of the sensor, and to communicate it simultaneously. Also
when it comes to sensor configuration, IO-Link offers many
advantages: since parameter settings can, for example, be
directly adopted from an IO master. Hence, time-consuming
sensor setting is no longer necessary.
The new generation of IO-Link masters from ifm is extremely
10 | january-february 2019 |
Global
MDA
robust and offers two Ethernet ports with a switch for
Profinet. The LR Device software is used to configure the
connected sensors and actuators. The intuitive software finds
all IO-Link masters in the Ethernet network and creates an
overview of the whole plant. This is something entirely new
on the market.
Additionally, integrating sensors with IO-Link makes it
possible to use sensor data for higher-level ERP systems. For
this, ifm offers the Line recorder. It enables bi-directional
communication between many different interfaces. This
allows communication between ERP systems and data
from units at field, control and process control level. With
this system, the data can be transmitted directly to the ERP
system without putting additional strain on the PLC in the
automation solution. ifm has termed this direct sensor data
path, which bypasses the control level, “Y path” because the
data reaches both the PLC and the company management
level by splitting up like the letter Y.
ifm is fully convinced that IO-Link is the foundation for a
successful implementation of all Industry 4.0 concepts. This
is why all new ifm sensors come with an IO-Link interface as
a standard feature. Currently, ifm’s product range includes
about 500 IO-Link products, and every year 100 to 150 new
products are added.
https://www.ifm.com/
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