Electricity + Control February 2018

COVER ARTICLE

IO-Link has a lot more to offer I n the past binary switches usually provided simple switching signals or analogue values. Today the data from intelligent sensors is the basis for the next in- dustrial revolution. Sensors that extract all the infor- mation from your machines and equipment using the key technology IO-Link. Leading manufacturers from the fields of sensors, actuators and control technology have developed IO-Link. Together they developed a standardised and field- bus independent interface for automation providing the user with a point-to-point connection without com- plex addressing. Today IO-Link sensors from ifm give the user com- pletely new options. Additional sensor data, for exam- ple, is generated to achieve maximum efficiency and cost saving.This allows process transparency from the machine to ERP to optimise your existing automation. • No external influence of the signal Data transfer is based on a 24 V signal. Screened cables and associated grounding are no longer necessary. For example ifm PN pressure sensors are used to monitor the pressure in a hydraulic system. Process signals, events and parameters are transferred to the master via IO-Link. Up to 8 IO-Link sensors can be directly connected to the master which transfers the data to the controller via PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP or PROFIB- US. • No measured value losses The entire measured value transmission is digital. Transmission that is prone to errors and calculation of analogue signals is replaced. The digitally trans- ferred measured values can be directly displayed in the control room.

FEATURES: Cables+ accessories Control valves+ electric actuators Control systems+ automation Sensors, switches+ transducers Transformers+ substations

ECFEB2018 cover.indd 1

2/1/2018 9:25:44AM

• Easy sensor replacement The IO-Link master stores all parameters of the connected sensors. After replacement the previous parameters are automatically written to the new sensor. No manual entering is required. • Tamper free The standardised unit parameter setting allows lock- ing of the operation keys on the device.Therefore no wrong settings by operators can be entered. Docu- mentation of parameter settings is possible at any time. • Identification IO-Link ensures unambiguous device identification. Sensors with IO-Link capability are clearly identified by vendor and device ID. Exclusive use of original spares are ensured. • Wire-break detection / diagnostics With IO-Link transfer of process and service data takes place simultaneously. Wire-break or short-cir- cuit is immediately detected by the master. The di- agnostic data can be accessed even during opera- tion. • Control diagnostics It is also possible to control actuators with IO-Link. The use of IO-Link for valve islands, for example, permits control and diagnostics via a standard 3-wire cable. Reducing wiring and simultaneous di- agnostics facilitate operation, in particular of moving machine parts e.g. on a robot arm. The IO-Link mas- ter from the AL series processes both sensor data and controls valve islands.

Ifm will be exhibiting at the following Expos this year Visit our website (www.ifm.com) for more information Bauma CONEXPO AFRICA 13 – 16 March 2018 Wonderware Southern Africa 15 – 18 April 2018 Industrial Showcase Cape 21 – 23 August 2018 Electra Mining Africa 2018 10 – 14 September 2018

Enquiries: +27 (0) 12 450 0400 info.za@ifm.com http://www.ifm.com

Electricity + Control

FEBRUARY 2018

23