A variety of recent introductions of I/O-related products include products from Acces I/O, Advantech, Beckhoff, Brentek, Kontron, Lumberg, Phoenix Contact, Rockwell Automation, and Wago.
Advantech Corp. released PCLD-8751 and PCLD-8761 external isolation I/O modules.
A variety of recent introductions of I/O-related products include products from Acces I/O, Advantech, Beckhoff, Brentek, Kontron, Lumberg, Phoenix Contact, Rockwell Automation, and Wago. Technologies include easier PC-based communications via USB ports, thinner profiles, wireless I/O devices, and embedded logic.
Acces I/O Products digital I/O product, Model USB-DIO-32, is said to be ideal for adding portable, easy-to-install, digital I/O and counter capabilities to a PC or embedded system via USB port. The USB 2.0 device offers the highest speed available on USB bus. It also is compatible with USB 1.1 ports, is plug-and-play, and can be used for industrial automation, embedded OEM, laboratory, and other applications.
Advantech Corp. Industrial Automation Group released PCLD-8751 and PCLD-8761 external isolation I/O modules. PCLD-8751 has 48 isolated digital input channels; PCLD-8761 has 24 relay channels and 24 isolated digital input channels. They are designed to make connection with PCI-1751 and PCI-1753 TTL-level digital I/O boards, have a reliable I/O design for use in harsh environments, and have 3,500 V dc isolation protection on digital input channels. Input range is 5 to 30 V.
Beckhoff Ethernet TCP/IP BC9100 Bus Terminal Controller and BK9100 Bus Coupler for the Bus Terminal I/O system feature an integrated 2-port switch to simplify cabling between Ethernet stations and reduce wiring. BK9100 Bus Coupler connects the Ethernet TCP/IP bus system with more than 180 Beckhoff I/O terminals. BC9100 controller version adds an IEC 61131-3 programmable PLC, and it can be used as a low-cost local controller. They also feature an RJ45 port with integrated 2-channel switch and can be configured with a line topology, instead of star topology, via switch or hub. Maximum distance between two bus stations can be up to 100 m; it is possible to cascade up to 20 devices.
Brentek International Inc . new B2Snap Adapter provides a convenient and economical way to interface Opto 22 Snap-I/O racks and control “brains” to industry standard I/O mounting racks, Brentek says. B2Snap-IDC50 board plugs into any 4- or 8-position I/O rack and provides interface for up to eight discrete I/O modules using one Snap position and one B2Snap-20C ribbon cable for every four standard I/O modules. Capabilities are determined by the Opto 22 Brain Module selected, such as stand-alone controller, Ethernet I/O, RF Networking, RS-232, etc. This control system is said to be extremely valuable for machine control, process control, multi-node systems control, remote site control, and remote Internet accessibility of control systems.
Lumberg Inc. has a new e2c 20 I/O product line of “slice style” DIN-rail-mountable terminal block I/O modules.
Kontron Embedded Modules offers specifications for Jflex , the I/O module concept for 3.5-in. CPU boards with surface-mount connectors, available as an open standard for unrestricted public use. Main Jflex advantages are said to be extensive use of low-cost cableless systems technology, PCI and LPC buses (instead of PCI-ISA), and full SMT production (as opposed to a combination of SMT and press-fitting). The standard is available by clicking on either Web site.
Lumberg Inc. released the new e2c 20 I/O product line of “slice style” DIN-rail-mountable terminal block I/O modules for use in distributed control enclosures. They have removable terminal blocks; spring clamp terminals; 12-mm width I/O module profile with 16-channel digital I/O capability; color codes for easy identification; and a module release latch. With support for DeviceNet and Profibus, e2c 20 is said to be an ideal choice for decentralized I/O cabinets and J- Boxes.
Phoenix Contact Inc. offers the RAD-ISM-900-XD-BUS, a bidirectional multipoint-to-point wireless I/O system.
Phoenix Contact Inc. offers RAD-ISM-900-XD-BUS, a bidirectional multipoint-to-point wireless I/O system, designed to allow user flexibility in bringing multiple channels of I/O connections (from up to eight remote locations) to one master station. Bidirectional feature enables use of these devices in monitoring and control applications and eliminates cable and conduit for analog and digital signals in harsh industrial environments. Spread spectrum frequency hopping techniques are said to guarantee a license-free, interference-free link between remote devices and the control room. Costly cable and conduit runs for numerous signals on new projects or retrofitting of existing systems can be eliminated and replaced with a maintenance-free, reliable, and versatile wireless solution, the company says. Typical in-plant range is 600-1,000 feet without line of sight, farther with outdoor applications. Transceivers each require a 12-30 V dc source (power supply, battery, solar, etc). Transceivers and I/O modules are featured in a 22.5-mm DIN-rail-mount housing, with integrated bus connection for communications and power.
Rockwell Automation introduced an Allen-Bradley ArmorBlock I/O family IP67-rated, 16-point module.
RapidIO technology and products were shown at the Freescale Technology Forum in Orlando, Florida, in June, including a demonstration of Freescale’s AdvancedTCA platform with serial RapidIO technology; RapidIO and AdvancedTCA panel discussions; and product announcements from Fabric Embedded Tools, Freescale, Jennic, MontaVista, and QNX; numerous demonstrations in the technology lab; and technical training.
Wago-I/O-System released the 753 Series, pluggable connectors for I/O module wiring.
Rockwell Automation offers an Allen-Bradley ArmorBlock I/O family IP67-rated, 16-point module said to be ideal for machinery applications where embedding control technology (such as signal-conditioning, event detection, alarming, and Boolean logic execution) are not needed. Simplified module design helps control system designers make more efficient use of available space, shorten installation time, and add flexibility to systems while reducing total costs. Each point on the 16-point ArmorBlock can be an input or output, so users can configure a module for any I/O combination. ArmorBlock, a 24 V dc I/O block, has a sealed housing rated for IP67 and NEMA 4x environments; a protective enclosure isn’t needed.
Wago-I/O-System now offers the 753 Series, pluggable connectors for I/O module wiring. Customers can now pre-manufacture wiring harnesses using the 753 Series Connectors and plug them into the 753 Series I/O modules (analog, digital, and special function modules are available), to simplify installation and reduce wiring errors in the field. Customers can mix 750 Series and 753 Series in the same I/O node.
—Mark T. Hoske, editor-in-chief, Control Engineering, [email protected]
