Entering the world of IO-Link

With their IO-Link masters for PROFIBUS and PROFINET introduced at the Hanover Exhibition 2007, Balluff will be showing the core elements of this new communications technology for machine and systems building. The interface opens the way for uncomplicated and integrated data exchange between the control and process level. By replacing complicated connections with a simple standard cable, IO-Link drastically reduces the installation effort. Centralized parameter setting replaces tedious teach-in procedures, with diagnostic concepts that reach down to the actuator/sensor level. The IO-Link masters are the first step towards process simplification, higher productivity and reduction of life cycle costs.

As the central element of IO-Link communication, the IO-Link masters make the existing intelligence of sensors and actuators available to the control level. Regardless of whether the signals from measuring or binary sensors need to be sent to the machine controller or setting parameters sent to actuators and sensors: the IO-Link masters from Balluff replace complexity with standardization and take care of all the communications tasks using a 3-conductor standard cable. No additional cables, shielded special cables or different types of interface boxes are needed. IO-Link reduces the effort and cost involved with installation, enabling clear, streamlined and more productive systems concepts.

Both IO-Link masters are equipped with 8 ports each, 4 IO-Link ports and four standard I/O ports, each of which is dual use and can be configured as an in- or output. The IO-Link ports are designed for the IO-Link baud rates of 4.8 Kbaud, 38.4 Kbaud and 230 Kbaud. The compact, rugged zinc die-cast housing is equipped with large-area LED indicators. The side location of the part labels means they can be read even when all ports are connected.