Just this characteristic of IO-Link can save
considerable time and expense for the
installation, but it also eliminates cabling
errors that can be difficult to locate,
greatly reducing the commissioning time.
Furthermore, the internal diagnostics in this
system can identify a broken cable, which
makes trouble-shooting much quicker and
minimises downtime.
The standardisation also includes the IO
device description, which means that when
a device is connected to an IO-Link master
it is identified and assigned the correct
description, which is passed to the PLC or
other higher control device.
Automation has the
potential to reduce
operational costs and
improve efficiency as well
as reliability.
SIMPLIFIED MAINTENANCE to any replacement sensor or actuator,
reducing the time required to restart the
production process.
Once an automated process control
system is running, the next hurdle is
maintenance, but again this is made easier
by standardisation. Due to the two-way
communication of IO-Link, the parameters
stored in the controller can be transferred IO-Link has progressed from its original
use in production automation and is
becoming increasingly important in process
automation; it is now perceived as an
alternative to AS-i for valve automation.
As such, it is important that manufacturers,
such as Bürkert, integrate IO-Link
technology into their products so that they
can be included on the specification sheet
when a company has taken the decision to
implement IO-Link.
To that end, Bürkert has already included
compatibility to four of its control heads,
which will cover the majority of control
valve configurations. The control heads
can be combined with butterfly valves, ball
valves, single and double seated valves
for both Bürkert and third-party products.
The compact positioners are designed
for integrated mounting on pneumatically
operated process valves as well as any
linear or rotary actuators. The remote
setpoint adjustment can be made via IO-
Link and a contact-free analogue position
sensor measures the position of the valve
spindle. The whole product range is
optimized for decentralised automation,
as is the IO-Link communication
infrastructure.
For further information, please visit www.burkert.co.uk
Issue 44 PECM
45