Flexibility
Facilitates placement and customisation.
With the increasing demand for flexible and scalable automation solutions, decentralised peripherals play a decisive role. It enables optimised use of resources and allows companies to adapt their systems to changing requirements more quickly and easily. It also helps to reduce the complexity of systems while increasing transparency and control.
By using remote I/O modules, companies can achieve greater efficiency and adaptability in their production processes. Remote I/O (input/output) refers to systems that make it possible to place the input and output interfaces of a control system at remote locations. These systems play a key role in modern industrial automation and process control.
Why is decentralisation becoming increasingly important in Industry? And how is LAPP setting new standards with the UNITRONIC® ACCESS product range?
Jürgen Greger, Product Manager Industrial Communication at LAPP, provides exciting insights into the world of remote I/O devices and explains why flexibility and easy integration are crucial. Find out more!
What is remote I/O?
Remote I/O systems consist of modules that receive analogue and digital signals from sensors and actuators and transmit them to a central control unit. LAPP's remote I/O devices such as the IO-Link master (single and multi-protocol) support various Industrial Ethernet protocols depending on the variant, including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP and CC-link IE. In addition, all IO-Link masters and hubs also support IO-Link itself. The central control unit processes the received data and sends control commands to the remote modules to control various processes.
Remote I/O and the automation pyramid
Remote I/O systems are crucial for automation at field level. They work in a decentralised manner directly with sensors and actuators, without the need for a control cabinet. With interfaces such as sensor/actuator connections, Ethernet connections and daisy chain power supply, they enable flexible and efficient integration into automation systems.
LAPP offers solutions for all levels of the automation pyramid:
- Field level: Decentralised components for maximum flexibility.
- Control level: Seamless connection to control systems.
- Process control level: Centralised control and data analysis.
Remote I/O solutions
LAPP offers comprehensive remote I/O solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into existing automation systems. Our solutions cover a wide range of applications, from factory automation to building automation, and ensure maximum reliability and efficiency.
Supplementary LAPP solutions
Advantages of remote I/O
The use of remote I/O systems offers numerous advantages:
Cost efficiency
Drains cable and installation costs.
Reduced downtimes
Faster maintenance and higher availability.
Scalability
Easily expandable as required.
Remote I/O applications
Remote I/O systems are essential for modern automation and play a decisive role in numerous industries. They enable the detection and control of signals over long distances and help to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve safety.
- Production facilities: Monitoring and control of production lines, machines and robots on a factory floor.
- Process industry: Control of chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical processes where sensors and actuators are distributed in hazardous areas or over long distances
- Conveyor technology: Control of conveyor belts, cranes and other material transport systems, for example in packaging technology
- Production facilities: Monitoring and control of production processes
- Power stations: Monitoring and control of generators, transformers and control cabinets.
- Water and wastewater systems: Inspection and monitoring of pumps, valves and water treatment systems.
- Oil and gas industry: Remote monitoring and control of drilling platforms, pipelines and refineries.
- Solar parks: Monitoring and control of solar modules and inverters.
- Wind farms: Control of wind turbines and monitoring of weather influences.
Patch cable and extension leads: connections for your remote I/O systems
Patch cable and extension leads are essential for connecting your remote I/O systems. The new portfolio of EPIC® extension leads and EPIC® patch cable from LAPP opens up unimagined design possibilities. Newly added extension leads with M5 A coding, 7/8" and M16 extend the combination options of the existing M8 and M12 portfolio.
For every standard combination of patch cable and extension leads, there is the option of designing them with the sheath materials PUR or PVC. In addition to the standard range, almost any technically possible connection combination can be created, such as a 4-pin M8 A plug to a 3-pin M12 A socket.
By providing all common coding for extension leads, all connection options can now be covered to fully equip remote I/O devices (e.g. L-coding, A-coding + patch cable).
Remote I/O systems are indispensable components of modern automation and control systems. They offer flexibility, cost efficiency, reduced downtime and scalability, making them a preferred choice in many industrial applications. As the technology continues to develop, remote I/O systems will continue to play a key role in optimising and increasing the efficiency of processes.
Remote I/O is a decentralised solution for enlarging control systems. It enables sensors and actuators to be connected to central control systems via modern communication protocols.
Yes, remote I/O systems are compatible with many existing control systems and can be easily integrated.
In contrast to analogue and digital communication, IO-Link enables extended diagnostics of sensors and actuators. In addition, IO-Link devices can be commissioned and replaced more easily thanks to automatic configuration and plug-and-play.
Compared to Ethernet communication, IO-Link is more cost-effective and easier to integrate.
The IO-Link master and the digital module are configured via a web interface. The IO-Link hub is set up with the help of the IO-Link master. No additional software is required.
IO-Link is a standardised communication system that was specially developed for the integration of sensors and actuators in automation systems. It enables a point-to-point connection between an IO-Link device (e.g. a sensor) and an IO-Link master. IO-Link allows the bidirectional exchange of process data and parameters for configuring sensors and actuators. In addition, event and diagnostic data is transmitted to provide feedback on faults or additional information.
More information on IO-Link: IO-Link website of the PROFIBUS user organisation e.V.
Digital signal transmission means that both shielded and unscreened standard cables can be used. The maximum length is 20 metres.
The IO-Link master (single protocol), the IO-Link master (multi-protocol) and the IO-Link hub all support IO-Link.
The IO-Link masters (single protocol) each support one of the following Industrial Ethernet protocols, depending on the article:
- PROFINET
- EtherNet/IP
- EtherCAT
- Modbus TCP
- CC-Link IE
The IO-Link master (multiprotocol) supports all the Industrial Ethernet protocols mentioned above. The respective protocol is set using a rotary coding switch.