Sensor company SICK has unveiled its IO-Link Wireless Gateway, providing more freedom and flexibility to industrial operations. This Industry 4.0 solution reduces installation costs, delivers real-time data streaming, and supprots analytics for improved efficiency without expensive cabling.
As wireless connectivity and data communication demand grows, SICK is meeting these evolving industry needs for intelligent, industrial communications and IIoT technology with an easy-to-install wireless IO-Link solution that captures data and performs data analysis from multiple sensors.
Working with SICK’s sensors and actuators, the solution reduces installation and downtime. It enables real-time data streaming to enterprise and Cloud platforms for analytics, predictive maintenance, and greater operational efficiency.
Suited to applications where wired connections are impractical or impossible, SICK’s IO-Link Wireless Gateway marks the next evolution of the IO-Link communication standard. It enables new machine designs that weren’t possible and is eays to retrofit to existing technology.
Comprising the IO-Link Bridge, IO-Link Hub and the IO-Link Master, the new suite of wireless IO-Link solutions is the simplest way to make sensors and actuators wireless. Both the Bridge and the Hub can be used to feed data back to the master, with the IO-Link Hubs facilitating multi-sensor connectivity through their four IO-Link ports. The IO-Link Master can support up to 16 sensors at once, with the SICK Wireless IO-Link Gateway delivering smart connectivity at a distance of up to 20m, with low latency of 5ms.
The point-to-point wireless communication system adapts to any existing data infrastructure on the PLC, while ensuring accurate data transmission. Using the ‘Connect X’ platform, it provides access to various IIoT interfaces, such as REST API and MQTT, as well as multiple fieldbuses, including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and EtherCat.
The flexibility provided by the IO-Link Wireless Gateway is well-suited for automation solutions, with applications including:
- Supporting food and beverage manufacturers uphold strict hygiene standards by eliminating cabling, which can harbour bacteria and cause cross-contamination
- Providing rapid cost-effective scalability to conveyors and cross belt sorters by supporting more sensors over longer distances, enabling additional sorting stations and extensions without costly hardware upgrades
- Enabling real-time device-to-device communication among devices like AMRs, AGVs, and forklifts with low latency and data integrity, ensuring cohesive coordination and high flexibility with no cabling to minimise downtim
“Now more than ever, wireless industrial communication systems, particularly IO-Link Wireless, are pivotal in realising smart factories. This technology provides all the benefits of SICK sensor intelligence with cable-free, simplified machine designs that enhance functionality and scalability. The SICK IO-Link Wireless Gateway also delivers versatility and mobility through remote control and configuration,” said Charlie Walker, Data Solutions Consultant, SICK UK. “IO-Link Wireless Gateways are part of fostering an advanced, adaptive manufacturing industry, bringing operations into the Industry 4.0 era and achieving unprecedented operational performance.”
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