Page 20 - EngineerIT May 2022

AUTOMATION

IO Link hub and software Software configurable digital and analogue IO solutions allow automation
configurable IO engineers and technicians the convenience of providing a universal IO port that can be
While it’s clear that IO Link commissioned remotely. Comparable to the benefits that IO Link provides, this new
technology is the catalyst behind class of digital and analogue software configurable IO products simplifies a factory’s
a set of new intelligent sensors, wire marshalling burden and provides flexibility to physically connect any digital and
IO-Link is also providing new analog IO sensors or actuators to any unassigned digital and analogue IO port. This
opportunities that bring intelligence software -configurable technology is more cost effective and increases the channel
to the edge through IO Link hub density on the factory floor.
solutions. These new IO Link
hubs provide a simple way to add Intelligent actuators
analogue and digital IO expansion Actuators are used to influence and control the direction and speed with which a
channels, as well as the integration product moves across the factory floor. Since all applications require a unique set
of intelligent actuators such as of motion control and motor drive characteristics, these smart actuators will need
solenoid and motor drives. to dynamically adjust to their environments to form that perfect mechatronic cyber
The IO Link hub provides a physical system. Currently, intelligent actuators are evolving to provide an auto-
simple way to expand the type and configuration capability that autonomously adjusts its performance parameters to
number of channels needed to meet the demands of its operational environment. This is the first step to making the
support unexpected manufacturing actuator become self-aware of its environment and allowing the system to optimise
line re-configurations. These IO its performance for maximum throughput, or maximising the long-term reliability
expansion hubs provide a solution and operational performance of the actuator. In either case, the result yields lower
that leverages all the benefits of IO operational costs and higher efficiency.
Link technology and simplifies the task
to add digital and analogue IO ports. To empower this combination of intelligent motion, it requires the integration of two
This new class of products enables key elements.
the commissioning of the sensors 1. The first critical element is power efficient analogue drive technology to allow high
via the IO Link hub which reduces voltage operation, while providing the health and status of the local environment.
factory downtime. Examples of these This is necessary to enable optimisation of the motors to achieve a balance between
solutions can be seen from Omron’s high efficiency and faster throughput.
IO Link Hub NXR product family where 2. The second critical element is the ability to provide motion algorithms to enable a
they boast achieving a 90% reduction smooth range of motion. This consists of the ability to detect loads placed on the
in setup and commissioning times. motor during operation to avoid line failures and minimise power consumption.

Omron: NXR-Series IO-Link controller and IO-Link I/O hub with MAX14819A, MAX14827A, MAX14912/15

EngineerIT | May 2022 | 18