Modular machine concepts effectively
address the efficiency and downtime demands challenging the
material handling and packaging industry, and IO-Link devices
offer one of the quickest, easiest, most affordable, and most
accessible ways to achieve them.
FORT
WORTH, Texas, Aug. 23,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RS, a trading brand of RS Group
plc (LSE: RS1), a global provider of industrial product and service
solutions, offers a wide range of IO-Link solutions ideally suited
for helping industrial automation customers in the material
handling and packaging industry overcome pressing market
challenges.
IO-Link devices offer one of the quickest,
easiest, most affordable, and most accessible ways to achieve
modularity.
The material handling and packaging industry is currently
contending with consumer and regulatory pressures to improve
efficiency, reduce downtime, become more sustainable, and comply
with evolving industry standards. These complex challenges will
require numerous solutions, but one solution — modular machine
concepts — effectively addresses both efficiency and downtime
demands.
Modular machine concepts make it quick and easy to retrofit
machines, which allows users to support multiple processes, as well
as scale production with the integration of new machines. One of
the quickest, easiest, most affordable, and most accessible ways to
leverage modular machine concepts is to employ devices compatible
with the IO-Link communications protocol, which has exploded in
popularity since it was standardized in 2006 and is currently the
fastest-growing sensor and actuator interface in the world.
The IO-Link communications protocol is an open standard serial
communications protocol that uses a simple, fieldbus-agnostic
master/device architecture to enable bidirectional data exchange
between compatible sensors and devices connected to an IO-Link
master and operator interfaces including PLCs, HMIs, and cloud
services.
IO-Link devices support modular machine concepts and
interoperability, standardize and reduce device and equipment
wiring requirements and costs, acquire and transmit actionable
data, enable remote configuration and monitoring, simplify device
replacement and equipment retrofits, and provide detailed
diagnostics. When deployed in the material handling and packaging
industry, IO-Link devices improve process efficiency, reduce
equipment downtime, increase production, and empower users to make
better, data-driven decisions.
The RS IO-Link portfolio offers solutions from industry-leading
suppliers, including Banner Engineering, Phoenix Contact, and
Norgren, and is backed by customer and technical support teams
highly experienced in helping customers identify, procure, deploy,
and maintain IO-Link products.
Banner Engineering's Q5X Series laser measurement
sensors support plug-and-play modularity, exhibit
exceptionally high excess gain, and reliably detect a wide range of
objects —including extremely dark targets, black targets against
black backgrounds, black targets against shiny metal backgrounds,
clear and reflective targets, and multicolor targets — at a range
of up to 5,000mm. They are easy to install, set up, and
troubleshoot, which reduces installation costs; are equipped with
IP67 form factors for robust, reliable performance and bright
output indicators for real-time distance feedback, both of which
help reduce equipment downtime; and support remote programming and
monitoring with the addition of an optional remote sensor display,
which can further improve process efficiency and uptime.
Phoenix Contact's Axioline E Series remote I/O system is
designed to provide seamless and cost-effective communication
between IO-Link sensors and actuators and higher-level control
systems. It is also designed to support future IO-Link updates,
which ensures compatibility and longevity for connected systems,
and has a unique block design that enables
decentralized automation without a control cabinet.
Features include rugged diecast zinc housings with IP65 or IP67
protection, outstanding EMI resistance, an extended operating
temperature range, robust mechanics, and strong resistance to
environmental influences, common cooling and greasing agents, and
welding beads — all of which contributes to minimizing downtime.
The series also features tool-free M12 push-pull fast-connection
technology with latching connection plugs, which takes 80% less
time to cable than M12 screw connectors, saves up to two minutes
per device, and provides positive feedback to ensure against
assembly errors.
Norgren's 34D Series electronic pressure sensors are
compatible with IO-Link and enable quick installation, simple
setup, user-friendly operation, remote access and operation,
accurate performance data capture and delivery, and advanced
diagnostics for improved efficiency and reliability. They have
compact and robust stainless steel form factors engineered for use
in harsh-environment applications and angled displays for clear
visibility and easy operation. They can handle pressures extending
from vacuum up to 600 bar and are available in 18 variants with a
range of mounting brackets, a flange adapter, and cables designed
to support fast and flexible installations in a variety of
automated systems.
To learn more about IO-Link, these products, and the benefits
that they provide in material handling and packaging applications,
please check out the new "Improving Material Handling and Packaging
Modularity With IO-Link" RS Expert Advice article. For more
information about the RS portfolio of IO-Link devices and
other solutions for modernizing your material handling and
packaging processes, please visit the links embedded here. For
expert insights into and advice about material handling and
packaging processes and IO-Link technology, please visit the
RS Expert Advice Series links embedded here.
For assistance identifying, procuring, deploying, and
maintaining IO-Link solutions that can help you overcome consumer
and regulatory pressures and improve the modularity, efficiency,
throughput, and uptime of your material handling and packaging
equipment, please contact your local RS representative at
1.866.433.5722 or reach out to our technical product support
team.
About RS in the Americas
In the Americas region, RS stocks more than 250,000 industrial and
electronic products from more than 700 trusted suppliers. These
solutions cover categories extending from automation and control
equipment to interconnect, passive, active, and electromechanical
components and include more than 80,000 high-quality, competitively
priced RS PRO products. For more information, please visit
https://us.rs-online.com or connect with us via social media
on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About RS Group
RS Group plc provides product and service solutions that help our
customers design, build, maintain, repair, and operate industrial
equipment and operations, safely and sustainably. We stock more
than 750,000 industrial and electronic products, sourced from over
2,500 leading suppliers, and provide a wide range of product and
service solutions to 1.1 million customers.
We support customers across the product lifecycle, whether via
innovation and technical support at the design phase, improving
time to market and productivity at the build phase, or reducing
purchasing costs and optimizing inventory in the maintenance,
repair, and operation phase. We offer our customers tailored
product and service propositions that are essential for the
successful operation of their businesses and help them save time
and money.
RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock
ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March
2023 reported revenue of £2,982 million.
For more information, please visit
https://www.rsgroup.com/ or connect with us on
LinkedIn or Twitter.
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Editorial Contact & Media Inquiries:
Karen Gavenda, RS Director of
Marketing, Americas
Karen.Gavenda@na.rsgroup.com
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SOURCE RS