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

  • What Are Control Circuit Devices? Noark Electric Explains

    October 4, 2023 A Control Circuit Device regulates and manages the operation of an electrical circuit by turning on or off the circuit. The control device regulates or limits the condition within the circuit by controlling the voltage and current.  Examples of control circuit devices used are switches, solenoids, and relays. Noark is a reliable manufacturer of… Read More…

  • Transforming Manufacturing Processes with AMRs: Boosting Efficiency and Adaptability

    October 2, 2023 In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, companies are constantly seeking innovative active solutions to optimize their manufacturing processes. One technology that has gained significant traction is the implementation of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). These versatile machines offer a wide range of benefits, empowering companies to transform their manufacturing operations and stay ahead… Read More…


Featured Article

Guillevin Strategies and Solutions: Enhancing the Customer Experience With a Comprehensive Website

Guillevin Strategies and Solutions: Enhancing the Customer Experience

In today’s customer-centric business climate, creative solutions are needed to provide customers with the seamless experience they’re looking for. By offering a comprehensive, easy-to-use website that meets the diverse needs of its customers, Guillevin meets this challenge. 

With the aim of building lasting relationships with its customers, the website serves as a platform that not only simplifies the purchasing process, but also contributes to the success of both short- and long-term partnerships.

Read More


Products

  • Noark Electric’s Definite Purpose Contactors Achieve UL Certification with A2L Refrigerant

    October 4, 2023 UL Certification aligns with HVAC industry’ mandate to reduce Global Warming Potential (GWP) and confirms that you can use these components in your system without further evaluation. Noark Electric’s Definite Purpose Contactors Noark Electric’s Definite Purpose Contactors are electrically operated switching devices designed for switching on and off heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)… Read More…

  • New Endress+Hauser Pulsed Radar Level Sensor from AutomationDirect

    October 2, 2023 AutomationDirect has added the Endress+Hauser Micropilot FMR10 series pulsed radar liquid level sensor to their growing lineup of liquid level sensors. This new sensor is a downward facing, non-contact sensor that emits electromagnetic pulses and determines the level based on the time it takes for the pulses to be reflected back to… Read More…