IO-Link accelerates digitalization of process plants

IO-Link is regarded as an established standard for measurement devices with basic functionality, offering advantages such as data transparency and additional control through digital technology.

Integrating IO-Link-capable sensors and actuators is especially popular with suppliers of machines or skids for the food & beverage industry. Particularly for utilities, devices with basic functionality are well suited; instruments with a rich set of different functionalities would unnecessarily increase complexity and costs.

Endress+Hauser is a leading global supplier of process instrumentation for the food & beverage industry. “No other manufacturer offers such a broad and deep range of products and services. Our comprehensive IO-Link portfolio clearly illustrates this position. As a strong partner for process automation, we support our customers with IO-Link sensors in numerous fields of application,” says Rob Sips, Strategic Account Manager for the Group’s international business.

The majority of the IO-Link sensors can be optionally operated in analog mode (4–20mA) with simple configuration changes to the instrument, thus allowing production workflows to remain in place. If extra information such as diagnostic and service data is required, in addition to the actual process parameters, an installed IO-Link-capable instrument can be simply switched to a digital signal.

“Although IO-Link is not the most powerful communications standard for process engineering, the technology is cost-effective and harbors tremendous potential for the digitalization of process plants,” says Oliver Hansert from Endress+Hauser Digital Solutions.

Endress+Hauser instruments with IO-Link interfaces support the acyclic transmission of helpful metadata to ensure stable and efficient production. Furthermore, the smart sensor profile is designed for simple engineering, which reduces the effort required by plant operators to integrate sensors into their systems.

Endress+Hauser offers a comprehensive product portfolio of IO-Link-capable instruments for all relevant process parameters. The company recently introduced the Smartec CLD18 compact conductivity sensor, IO-Link versions of the PMP51, PMP55 and PMC51 pressure transmitters, and the Deltapilot FMB50 level transmitter. With these new additions to the IO-Link portfolio, customers can exploit the benefits of digitalization in a cost-efficient manner.