Balluff BNI Series — IO-Link | Distributed Modular I/O Devices:

As the first standardized, uniform, universally applicable interface in control technology, IO-Link transmits all sensor and actuator signals to the controller. Likewise, IO-Link passes control data down to the lowest sensor level. All of this makes automation even more powerful than ever before. Think of a remote “slice" I/O. In a typical application, the communication head and the power supply sit on the left hand side and are followed along the backplane by the individual I/O devices. Usually there are a limited number of slots available in the backplane and individual slices of control components, for example, discrete 24V input cards or 0-10V analog cards can be inserted.

In a similar fashion, a Distributed Modular I/O system has a communications head that talks over the desired industrial network on one side and the right hand side acts as a data collector. In lieu of a backplane, each device is connected to an industry standard M12 port utilizing a basic 3-wire sensor cable for IO-Link communication. With the ability to be installed within a 20 meter radius from the data, collector devices can be easily distributed across the machine.

Flexible IO-Link Master Blocks:
Each port of the Balluff IO-Link master block can be configured to fit any IO-Link and/or discrete application. The top
4 ports can be configured as NO/NC inputs, outputs, or diagnostic points depending on the block type. The bottom
4 ports can be configured as IO-Link or as any of the discrete settings, depending on the block type.

IO-Link Input/Output Devices:
One of the major values of IO-Link over standard network I/O is the ability to run many sensors and actuators back
through one node or IP address. This is accomplished using the many varieties of I/O hubs offered by Balluff.
– Multiple analog sensors can be run into an input hub with discrete inputs as well
– Balluff’s full line of mini sensors can be run in small spaces using M8 hubs
– Metal Inputs and Outputs allows for I/O in the most hostile environments
Features:

Commissioning performed by the controller, not at each individual IO-Link device

Scalability of each IO-Link port

Same architecture for different network protocols

Fewer network nodes and IP addresses to commission

Connect devices with standard sensor/actuator cordset

Simplify cordset stocking with universal M12 standard connectors on IO-Link devices

Secure investment with open standard, valid from all manufacturers

Future-proof, with greatest flexibility in project planning

Recipe driven parameterization of IO-Link devices

Health diagnostics down to the IO-Link device level

Network cable can be removed from harsh areas, replaced by standard sensor/actuator cordsets

Continuous monitoring of process parameters

Capability of plug, play, and walk away

Automatic read adjustment of parameters

Reliable error detection

Troubleshoot a point-to-point connection, rather than a network