What Can IO-Link Do? – A Consistent and Powerful Approach from Contrinex

Contrinex lays claim to having the largest selection of IO-Link sensors in the world, including it free of charge in most of its PNP sensors. Through IO-Link, it provides consistent and simple configuration across its inductive and photoelectric sensors and offers a family of IO-Link RFID modules.

Since being launched in 2006, IO-Link, the simple and low-cost, industrial communications standard has grown to include over 120 companies, primarily manufacturers of sensors and actuators.

IO-Link’s motto that it uses “3 instead of 19 wires” gives a feel for the simplicity of the short distance, bi-directional, digital, point-to-point communication standard, otherwise known as IEC 61131-9. However, this doesn’t explain what IO-Link offers to engineers, or the advantages of Contrinex’s consistent approach, where it offers common functionality across a vast array of sensors.

The large scale of Contrinex’s IO-Link offer and its consistent implementation of IO-Link make its sensors ideal for industry 4.0, and Internet of Things applications, with the functionality being common across lots of sensing technologies.

Data monitoring – The sensor’s switching state is monitored continuously. This not only monitors the signal itself but also the state at 80% of the switching distance. Therefore, you can ensure that the sensor is not working at the limit of its specifications, to ensure robust and reliable switching.

Diagnosis – The operating state of the sensor is checked. In case of an open circuit, under-voltage, LC oscillator failure or installation of the wrong sensor, information is provided directly through IO-Link to enable fast repair, maintenance and replacement.

Detection counter – Detection events are counted. By registering the number of detections, it is possible to calculate the speed or number of parts. The counter can be reset using a unique IO-Link message.

Temperature – The internal temperature of the sensor is measured continuously, which indicates the ambient temperature in the application. Moreover, the maximum temperature measured is saved for diagnosis and preventive maintenance purposes.

Switching timer – The timing of output switching can be configured. Depending on the needs of an application, output switching can be delayed or the duration stretched through programming.

NO/NC selection – The output switching mode can be selected as Normally-Open (NO) or Normally-Closed (NC). A single sensor type is configurable for the various needs of an application. This helps reduce the number of different sensor types required in stock.

Sensitivity and teach – The sensor’s sensitivity can be adjusted remotely by changing the threshold. Alternatively, the teach function can be used to adapt the threshold to the application. Calibrated sensing ranges ensure easy sensor replacement by uploading the existing sensitivity to the replacement sensor.

Light-ON/dark-On selection – The output switching mode can be selected as Light-ON or Dark-ON. A single sensor type is configurable for the various needs of an application. This helps reduce the number of different sensor types required in stock.

Sensor mode – Three different modes are selectable depending on the application needs: “Normal”, “Fast” and “Fine”. “Normal” mode is a good balance of speed and precision. In “Fast” mode, speed is higher and in “Fine” mode precision is higher.

Sequence selection – For cross-talk immunity with through-beam photoelectric sensors, up to nine different emitting sequences can be selected to pair the emitter with the receiver.