Use IO-Link for increased flexibility, availability, and efficiency in industry 4.0 factories
Supporting the data gathering and analysis that are the hallmarks of Industry 4.0 can frequently require line and process changes that include adding, removing, or reprogramming digital sensors, actuators, indicators, and other devices. This can be difficult to implement efficiently across legacy automation networking
at the structure and operation of IO-Link networks, including the use of various types of IO-Link devices for building local networks of sensors, actuators, and indicators to support Industry 4.0. It presents real-world examples of IO-Link master, hub, and data- converter devices from Banner Engineering that designers can use to efficiently deploy masses of Industry 4.0 edge devices.
IO-Link’s key attributes include the following: n Open standard n Supports fast integration, configuration, and commissioning of local devices to speed changeovers and enable increased flexibility with minimal need for hands-on support from technicians n Compatibility with existing automation networks n Robust two-way communications that can be either synchronous or asynchronous to maximize communication efficiency n Remote diagnostic support down to the device level n The ability to dynamically change sensor or actuator parameters to speed process optimization n Integrated device identification
protocols with their various characteristics. Industry 4.0
By Jeff Shepard Contributed By DigiKey's North American Editors
installations need another layer of connectivity and flexibility between the installed networks and the growing mass of localized sensors, actuators, and indicators. To address these challenges, IO-Link has been developed as an open standard that can connect signals from devices like sensors, actuators, and indicators to higher- level networks like Ethernet IP, Modbus TCP/IP, and PROFINET, and from there to programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human- machine interface (HMI) devices, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and to the cloud. IO-Link serial connectivity is standardized as IEC 61131-9 with simple unshielded three or five wire standard cables defined in IEC 60974- 5-2. Designers of automation systems will find IO-Link to be particularly suited to support the rapid deployment and remote configuration, monitoring, and diagnostics of connected devices required for Industry 4.0 factories. This article reviews the capabilities and benefits of IO-Link and looks
Where does IO-Link fit?
IO-Link provides a lower-level network that captures data from distributed sensors, actuators, and indicators, connects to converters that convert the data into the IO- Link format, and then distributes it to IO-Link hub or master devices as needed for connection to higher- level factory networks like Ethernet, Modbus, and PROFINET (Figure 1).
and automatic parameter reassignments to maximize availability
Figure 1: IO-Link provides a complete solution for connecting legacy and other sensors, actuators, and devices (left) with existing SCADA, HMI, and the cloud (right) in Industry 4.0 networks. (Image source: Banner Engineering)
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