I/O System Offers Process Optimization Insights

MVK Pro and IMPACT67 Pro are the latest addition to Murrelektronik Inc.’s IP67-rated I/O system. Available for the PROFINET, Ethernet/IP and EtherCAT protocols, each is equipped with eight multifunctional Class A/B IO-Link master ports, enabling one module to serve as a company’s choice of 16 DI, 16 DIO, 16 DO or 8 IOL. The two L-coded M12 ports (four or five-pole options) enable daisy-chaining and provide up to 2 x 16A power.

Photo credits: Murrelektronik Inc.

By taking advantage of IO-Link capabilities, these blocks make it easy to get the needed input and output data from machines and systems. With the addition of the IO-Link hubs and analog converters, a company can connect digital and analog signals to this IO-Link master using a standard sensor cable. According to Murrelektronik, this reduces the cabling effort, and it also simplifies commissioning, diagnostics and service. Combined with its integrated web server, the startup time is designed to be short and easy.

In addition to pure process data (I/Os), the Pro modules also provide secondary extended diagnostic data (voltage, current and temperature values) for both the respective ports and the entire module. Murrelektronik designed this as a way for anomalies to be detected and for the actual process to be optimized via data analysis. With the help of OPC UA, Murrelektronik says this can be done completely without a controller using a standard protocol.