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Flow, level & control


Simplifying industrial process automation with


IO-Link


In this article, Kieran Bennett, field segment manager at Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, looks at the latest communication protocol, IO- Link, and the advantages it offers for industrial process control


ndustry 4.0 continues to gather pace as more manufacturers are looking to benefit from the ever- expanding array of automation tools and products available. At the heart of every system are network and communication protocols that connect sensors and devices to controllers; sites often combine industrial ethernet with fieldbus systems such as CANopen, AS-Interface, PROFIBUS, CC-Link or DeviceNet, so where would a new I/O solution sit. Most production sites will already have some degree of automation infrastructure - which will have an influence on how the network is extended, while others may be looking at the best place to start. One thing is for certain though, investment costs will be on the agenda when assessing the most appropriate solution.


I


REDUCING INSTALLATION COSTS Automation has the potential to reduce operational costs and improve efficiency as well as reliability. However, to achieve these improvements, the design and installation of the new equipment needs to be properly planned and implemented. Decisions about centralised or decentralised control, data recording, maintenance and reliability will all affect the cost of installation. For the food and beverage industry, automation offers many advantages that can be enhanced by the most effective choice of equipment. At this point, selecting control valves, sensors and actuators would appear to be the next logical step. However, it is important to establish the communication protocols that are going to be used, because this can influence the choice of products that are compatible with the automation solution. One of the more recent communications protocols to become established is IO-Link, which has been designed to connect actuators and sensors in the field to the first tier of digital communication. One of the advantages of this technology is that it is standardised under IEC 61131-9, which means the connections, identity codes, parameters and diagnostics are all the same, regardless of the manufacturer.


PLUG-AND-PLAY Using three- or five-wire connections between sensors or actuators and a local IO-Link master, both power and signal data can be connected easily. These cables use standard M12 connectors and can be pre-assembled and tested, making plug-


34 June 2020 Instrumentation Monthly


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