Balluff IO-Link Profibus/Profinet modular expansion

Balluff IO-Link system enables quick and easy expansion or simplification of Profibus and Profinet networks. Example shows up to 40% savings for users and OEM equipment builder.

By Control Engineering Staff April 21, 2009

The

Balluff IO-Link system

enables quick and easy expansion or simplification of Profibus and Profinet networks. Users and OEM equipment builders can now achieve a higher level of flexibility and easier system modification for their networks at significantly lower costs.

A Balluff IO-Link Expansion module attaches directly to the Profibus or Profinet network, either as a new node or by substituting it for an existing node. Then, using standard low cost 3-conductor M12 cordsets, attach up to four intelligent IO-Link sensors up to 20 meters away from the Balluff IO-Link expansion module. Hardware includes network expansion modules, sensor hubs, standard M12 non-shielded 3-conductor cordsets, standard sensors, and intelligent IO-Link sensors. Available sensing technologies include distance feedback, RFID, pressure monitors, and others. This provides less expensive Profibus/Profinet solutions for automation customers to build and retrofit machines with an overall cost savings in components, cabling, installation and integration effort.

Example 30-40% savings

For example, one Balluff Profibus IO-Link expander and four discrete sensor hubs can replace five discrete Profibus modules, with 30-40% savings including; network components, network cabling, integration time, while providing 78 inputs. One expansion module and a combination of IO-Link sensors and/or sensor hubs can replace up to five nodes, reducing expensive network cabling and time consuming controller configuration without the need for node addresses or expensive Profibus chips or software. Sensor hubs allow connection of 16 standard discrete sensors to the network per hub. Up to four hubs per expansion module can be put on each node, for a total of 76 sensors per Profibus node.

The system provides significant savings in components, in the installation phase, in system integration and in system flexibility. It will save money in planned and unplanned downtime with centralized parameter storage, which can be used for automatic re-parameterization of replacement IO-Link sensors– swap an intelligent sensor just as easy as a discrete sensor.

Also read from Control Engineering:

RFID, machine vision sensors, I/O network components help error proofing

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www.balluff.com/iolink

Balluff – Edited by Mark T. Hoske , editor in chief

Control Engineering News Desk, www.controleng.com

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