Over a decade ago, IO-Link enabled a huge leap forward in innovation in industrial automation: since then, intelligent sensors and actuators have been easily integrated into all system environments, flexibly parameterized, and reliably diagnosed. This technology has evolved into a powerful global standard that is now essential in modern production environments.
While IO-Link has long been the state of the art in automation, the demand for safe, scalable, highly flexible safety solutions with simple sensor technology has increased simultaneously. This is precisely the area in which IO-Link Safety excels, marking another milestone for industrial automation as a whole. Developed for everyday industrial use, IO-Link Safety is the result of intensive collaboration between many companies and experts within the IO-Link community.
The goal was to create a safe, universally usable, technically excellent solution that works in everyday automation — simple, robust, and open.
IO-Link Safety meets Safety Integrity Level 3, thus meeting the very high requirements of mechanical and plant engineering, for example. The safe protocol is independent and universal and can be mapped to all other higher-level safety fieldbus protocols. With the specification, certified components, and growing global market acceptance, IO-Link Safety is ready for widespread use.
In conclusion: The future of simpler, functionally safe sensor and actuator technology is beginning.
From robotics and packaging machines to intralogistics systems and mobile work machines, products with IO-Link Safety offer new, safe concepts for machines and systems wherever flexibility and safety must come together. For instance, basic distance sensors can now transmit safe process values through the same standard cable. Connection to a safety-oriented control system, such as Profisafe, is also possible and has already been implemented. IO-Link Safety is more than just a new feature; it is the next logical step toward flexible, data-supported, fully networked, and safe production.
Following in the footsteps of IO-Link Standard, IO-Link Safety will follow the same growth path, enabling a wide variety of products.
The IO-Link community looks forward to accompanying this journey and seeing its spread in applications.
Frank Moritz,
Executive Board of the Profibus Nutzerorganisation e.V.