Industry 4.0 Is Here

Banner Engineering is a global leader in industrial automation, developing smart sensor solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Banner Engineering offers a variety of products that are available with IO-Link capabilities.

• Q4X Series Rugged All Purpose Photoelectric Sensor: this photoelectric sensor solves many challenging applications and comes in a rugged IP69K rating with FDA food grade stainless steel casing.

• QS18 Series All Purpose Photoelectric Sensor: all-purpose photoelectric sensor with universal housing design and 18 mm threaded barrel is an ideal replacement for hundreds of other sensor styles.

• K50L2 Series Multicolor RGB Indicator Lights with IO-Link: Bold, bright, general-purpose indicator in a 50 mm dome features the IO-Link communication protocol which enables an almost limitless capacity for custom indication.

• DF-G1 Series General Purpose Fiber Optic Amplifier: fiber amplifier with IO-Link capability ideal for general purpose and error proofing.

• DF-G2 Series High Speed Fiber Optic Amplifier: fiber amplifier with IO-Link capability for high speed (10 μs) for applications like part counting or registration mark detection.

• DF-G3 Series Long Range Fiber Optic Amplifier: fiber amplifier with IO-Link capability for detection up to 6 m, precise positioning, and water detection.

• LTF Series Long-Range Time-of-Flight Laser Sensor: high-performance LTF Series Sensors detect targets regardless of color, material or sheen from up to 24 meters away, straight-on or at an angle.

• LE Series 1 m Range Laser Displacement Sensor: the LE's measurement accuracy, ready to measure distances of 100 to 1000 mm, is suitable for controlling, sorting, and inspection tasks in quality control.

• EZ-ARRAY Series Measuring Light Curtain: EZ-ARRAY light screens excel at high-speed, precise process monitoring and inspection, profiling and web-guiding applications with simple installation.

• TL50 Series 50 mm LED Tower Light Indicator: LED tower light indicators are highly visible and simple to install with no assembly required, have displays up to 7 colors and are available with IO-Link.

In recent years IO-Link systems have become widespread within industrial automation. IO-Link is an open standard serial communication protocol that allows for the bi-directional exchange of data from IO-Link supported sensors that are also connected through a master.

There are many advantages to using an IO-Link system including standardized wiring, remote configuration, simple device replacement, advanced diagnostics, and increased data availability. Because IO-Link systems are open standard, the devices can be integrated in almost any fieldbus or automation system.

Simplified Wiring

IO-Link sensors do not require any special or complicated wiring. Rather, IO-Link sensors can be connected using cost-effective standard 3-core cables. In addition, IO-Link also eliminates the need for analog sensors and reduces the variety of interfaces for sensors, which saves inventory costs.

Remote Monitoring

The IO-Link master transmits data over various networks, fieldbuses, or backplane buses, making that data accessible for immediate action or long-term analysis via a controller such as a PLC or HMI. This gives users more information about their devices and enables remote monitoring of machine performance.

Reduced Costs and Increased Efficiency

Together, the capabilities afforded by IO-Link result in reduced costs, increased process efficiency, and improved machine availability. These benefits are especially significant in applications that have frequent changeovers and are heavily influenced by extended and unplanned machine downtime.