How IO-Link Improves Predictive Maintenance and Speeds Up Sensor Reconfiguration by Omron

MC How IO Link Improves Predictive Maintenance and Speeds Up Sensor Reconfiguration 1 400

June 16, 2022

 

One of Omron’s main focuses with respect to sensor innovation is to incorporate more “intelligence” – that is to say, more ways to gather meaningful data – into their latest sensor lines. Smarter sensors mean better insights into what’s really going on at the machine level, and these insights lead to better decision-making and less downtime. Setup, predictive maintenance, and reconfiguration are all great ways to use IO-Link. In this blog , Omron takes a look at what IO-Link is and how you can use this powerful protocol in your applications.

What is IO-Link?

IO-Link is an open-network point-to-point communications protocol. IO-Link-enabled sensors communicate to master devices through IO-Link based on a certain standard, and from there on, they’re open-network to whatever fieldbus protocol you’re using. The international standard used by IO-Link is IEC 61131-9.

IO-Link allows you to pull a greater variety of information out of discrete sensors that would normally just tell you whether they’re on or off. The protocol was started by a consortium of different companies involved in automation who wanted a standard, open-network solution for getting more information out of I/O spread throughout the factory floor.

Employing IO-Link for predictive maintenance and better troubleshooting

Lots of early IO-Link adopters found value in the protocol for real-time condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. If you’re operating in a weld environment, for example, and slag is starting to cake onto your proximity sensor, the IO-Link functionality can tell you the detection strength so the sensor can be cleaned before the slag causes false trips.

If you’ve got dozens of sensors on your line, and you’re starting to notice a sensor-related quality issue, using IO-Link means that you don’t need to stop the line and inspect each sensor individually. A quick check will tell you which I/O port has a down sensor on it.

Trying to reduce downtime in your plant? Check out Omron’s predictive maintenance solutions portfolio by clicking here

Supporting flexibility and scalability with faster reconfiguration

Given the market pressures driving manufacturing today, many facilities are producing multiple different parts on the same production line. This creates a need for scalable technologies that support faster changeovers. IO-Link addresses this need by speeding up sensor reconfiguration and helping a smaller team do more with their time.

With some of Omron’s newer IO-Link sensors, you can set different levels that you want them to output at. If one sensor gets broken, you simply replace it, and your IO-Link master can push the configuration to that sensor. You don’t have to waste a bunch of time reconfiguring the whole thing.

Want to start gathering more meaningful data from your sensors? Discover Omron’s IO-Link series by clicking here

MC How IO Link Improves Predictive Maintenance and Speeds Up Sensor Reconfiguration 2 400

 

 

Source

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Festo Didactic Showcases Technical Education and Training at Hannover Messe 2025

    Festo Didactic Showcases Technical Education and Training at Hannover Messe 2025

    May 20, 2025 By Krystie Johnston Hannover Messe 2025 was an extra special event for Festo. The Festo Group celebrated their 100th anniversary, Festo Canada celebrated their 50th anniversary, and Festo Didactic celebrated their 60th anniversary. Festo Didactic, the education arm of the company, understands how important education is for empowering individuals, driving economic growth,… Read More…

  • EtherCAT in Boost Mode

    May 14, 2025 EtherCAT and PC-based control in test bench technology EtherCAT is by far the fastest Industrial Ethernet technology. Nevertheless, the data acquisition process at Kraus & Naimer’s cam controller test benches called for an even shorter bus cycle. To achieve the required performance, Beckhoff specialists reduced the previous cycle time from 100 µs… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • Electromate to Offer UR7e, UR12e & UR15 Collaborative Robots from Universal Robots

    May 20, 2025 Electromate is expanding its lineup of collaborative automation solutions with the addition of three advanced models from Universal Robots: the UR7e, UR12e, and UR15. These robots provide enhanced options for payload, reach, and precision in demanding collaborative applications. The UR7e delivers a 7 kg payload, 1300 mm reach, and ±0.03 mm repeatability. Positioned between the UR5e and… Read More…

  • Redefining Non-Invasive Temperature Measurement

    May 14, 2025 iTHERM SurfaceLine TM611 provides accuracy and response time comparable to invasive temperature measurement. The non-invasive thermometer iTHERM SurfaceLine TM611 by Endress+Hauser can be used across all industries for a wide range of demanding industrial applications. The surface-mounted thermometer measures process temperature without the risk of leakage and flow disruption. A specially designed… Read More…