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New On-Machine Distributed I/O Solution
Rockwell Automation has announced the release of its new Allen-Bradley® ArmorBlock 5000™ I/O blocks. Integrated with IO-Link technology, the distributed I/O solution offers smart capabilities that can help industrial manufacturers improve operational productivity with minimal cost. Manufacturers can deploy and maintain smart automation more efficiently with the ArmorBlock 5000 I/O solution. With the highly integrated IO-Link capabilities, machine design complexity is reduced through simpler device configuration and better integration with Allen-Bradley controllers.
PROFINET Added to Flow and Pressure Control Instruments
Alicat Scientific has announced that it has added PROFINET to its offerings for Alicat mass flow controllers, pressure controllers, mass flow meters, and pressure transducers. Part of the fast-growing industrial Ethernet-based spectrum of communication protocols, PROFINET is now perhaps the most widely used industrial protocol in the world. Automation engineers and integrators assembling PROFINET installations can now take advantage of Alicat instruments’ multi-variate, rapid response times, and large turn-down ratios. With Alicat’s complexity-reducing features like closed-loop pressure, PROFINET analyzers can use fewer devices, at lower costs of materials, with fewer maintenance points.
RTLS Software with omlox
Sewio, a UWB-based real-time location system (RTLS) vendor, announced the release of RTLS Studio version 3.1, which introduces Trackables, a feature that paves the way to an interoperable, scalable and affordable location market. Trackables enable the virtualization of tags, providing a faster, easier and more efficient method for mirroring real-world shop floor operations. This feature is in line with omlox, the world’s first open locating standard, and its efforts to develop a unified and interoperable approach to location-based services.
New Managed Switch with PROFINET
With the new PROmesh B8 industrial switch from Indu-Sol, a high performance and reliable switch has arrived on the market, which addresses the price and performance-savvy market segment of the machine and plant builders. It joins the ranks of the PROmesh switch series. The PROmesh B8 is PROFINET certified. The managed switch saves valuable time and personnel resources during installation and commissioning, as the devices can be configured/parameterized automatically PROFINET, e.g. for IP address assignment or redundancy settings.
New Contactless Linear Position Transducer with IO-Link
Gefran has introduced TWIIST; This multi-variable position transducer is in the Hall effect category, with the ability to take multiple measurements simultaneously. The robustness, thermal stability, and EMC immunity make the LM-L series suitable for use both in industrial environments and mobile hydraulics applications. The possibility to measure additional variables with respect to position (speed, triaxial inclination, acceleration and vibration, electronics temperature) combined with the IO-Link protocol, allows to benefit from the advantages of Industry 4.0 in terms of preventive product and process maintenance.
New Functions for Safety Modules with PROFIsafe
The WAGO System 750’s safety modules meet the requirements of the latest PROFIsafe industrial Ethernet standard version 2.6, along with those of version 2.4. Configuration and parameterization of the modules are now also possible offline in PROFINET. Offline parameterization allows you to parameterize your safety modules using the device description in PROFINET. Safety applications up to SIL 3 and PLe/Cat. 4 are much easier and faster to implement. The safety modules meet the EN IEC 13849 and EN ISO 62061 safety standards and can be used in safety applications for the process industry per IEC 61511.
New Converter for IO-Link & Analog
WAGO’s new IP67 rated I/O-Link Analog Converters offer a solid and cost-effective solution for incorporating conventional analog sensors and actuators with IO-Link communications. The 765-2702/200-000 has two 0-10 VDC inputs that are converted to IO-Link for monitoring field level sensors. The 765-2703/200-000 has two 4-20ma analog outputs while the 765-2704/200-000 has two 0-10VDC analog outputs. Both devices will convert IO-Link signals to analog outputs and all of these devices can be set up using IO-Link configuration tools such as WAGO’s IO-Link configurator software.
Conductivity Measurement with IO-Link
With the IUT-F191-IO-V1, Pepperl+Fuchs is filling a gap in its portfolio and enabling customers to easily access UHF RFID. In recent years, IO-Link has become a well-established interface on the market and its use is increasingly widespread. The existing HF RFID portfolio (13.56 MHz) for IO-Link is now being expanded to include a UHF reader. The IUT-F191-IO-V1 fills the gap between HF and RFID and the UHF systems already available from Pepperl+Fuchs. In many applications, read/write distances of approx. 1 m are completely sufficient. Furthermore, the IO-Link interface enables easy, cost-effective integration into any existing IO-Link networks, quick commissioning, and interchangeability.