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Save on installation costs with IO-Link

Aug. 20, 2024

Siemens’ Raj Rajendra notes devices can be replaced without the need for parameterizing as data is already stored in the master or the controller

Mike Bacidore

Raj Rajendra is product consultant/manager, Distributed IO & Logic Controller, at Siemens.

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What are the advantages of IO-Link in terms of diagnostics?

Raj Rajendra, product consultant/manager, Distributed IO & Logic Controller, Siemens: Maintenance places increasingly strict demands on the quantity and level of training of personnel. IO-Link simplifies equipment replacement, reduces maintenance costs through better diagnostics and prevents downtimes. Conveniently run diagnostics information is sent over the same line as the process data without the need for additional cable lines.

How does IO-Link handle multi-sensor devices? Can I configure and access data from individual sensors within a single IO-Link device?

Raj Rajendra, product consultant/manager, Distributed IO & Logic Controller, Siemens: IO-Link is a point-to-point network. It connects one device to one port of the IO-Link master that may have several ports.

What cable topology options are available with IO-Link? Can I use daisy-chain connections, or is a dedicated point-to-point connection required for each device?

Raj Rajendra, product consultant/manager, Distributed IO & Logic Controller, Siemens: The cable topology is a star network. Daisy chaining is not permitted.

How does IO-Link integrate with different fieldbus protocols commonly used in automation systems?

Raj Rajendra, product consultant/manager, Distributed IO & Logic Controller, Siemens: Automation vendors provide IO-Link master modules that support different fieldbus systems.

What are the cost implications of implementing IO-Link compared to traditional wiring methods? Is the upfront cost of IO-Link devices offset by long-term benefits like reduced wiring complexity and improved diagnostics?

Raj Rajendra, product consultant/manager, Distributed IO & Logic Controller, Siemens: The key benefit of IO-Link is it saves on installation costs. A three-wire cable without shielding can connect to a device and read and write many bytes of data in real time. In addition, parameter data, alarm and event are available using acyclic communication. Devices can be replaced without the need for parameterizing as data is already stored in the master or the controller.

Anything else that you'd like to add about IO-Link?

Raj Rajendra, product consultant/manager, Distributed IO & Logic Controller, Siemens: IO-Link is an open standard adopted by more than 100 vendors. IO-Link provides a significant advantage in data accessibility with implications across systems. Access to sensor-level data facilitates smooth system operation, simplifies device replacement and enables optimized machine maintenance schedules, leading to cost savings and reduced machine downtime.

Tell us about one of your organization’s state-of-the-art IO-Link offerings.

Figure 1: Siemens provides IO-Link masters for all of its IO Series and offers devices from its Factory Automation business.

Raj Rajendra, product consultant/manager, Distributed IO & Logic Controller, Siemens: Siemens provides IO-Link masters for all our IO Series, and we also offer devices from our Factory Automation business and other business units of Siemens (Figure 1). The devices include IP65/67-rated IO, motor starters, relays, RFID tag readers, LED signal columns, switch boxes, power supplies and more. Our IO-Link master modules are MultiFieldbus (MFB) capable in that they can be configured for Profinet, Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP with our free software tool MultiFieldbus Configuration Tool (MFCT). Both IP20 and IP65/67/69K-based master modules are offered for the customer to choose based on the application. The devices can be configured with ease with our free software S7-PCT tool. The tool can be standalone or be integrated in our software platform for automation, TIA Portal. Mapping of data from the devices can be done efficiently by the user data type created by the S7-PCT tool and using the UDT in TIA Portal to create a custom tag with all the real-time data from the device. Function calls are provided for reading and writing other parameter data to and from the device.

About the Author

Mike Bacidore | Editor in Chief

Mike Bacidore is chief editor of Control Design and has been an integral part of the Endeavor Business Media editorial team since 2007. Previously, he was editorial director at Hughes Communications and a portfolio manager of the human resources and labor law areas at Wolters Kluwer. Bacidore holds a BA from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He is an award-winning columnist, earning multiple regional and national awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. He may be reached at [email protected]