By combining IO-Link technology and cloud services, Turck has achieved continuous data interaction from sensors to the cloud and back from the cloud to sensors.
Use data efficiently
Cloud services have significantly simplified our daily work. For example, we no longer need to save holiday photos on memory-limited smartphones, but rather in personal online folders; we can simultaneously sync calendar entries and contacts across multiple devices; or collaboratively develop club activity plans across different devices. Businesses naturally want to fully leverage the advantages of cloud computing in their industrial applications — although the requirements are specific, the goal is the same: to use data efficiently without unnecessarily loading network and memory.
To filter relevant values from the vast amounts of information collected by field devices (such as sensors, RFID readers / writers, etc.), industrial cloud computing is needed to transform big data into intelligent data. Therefore, cloud technology is more than just storage. It can also provide users with other support services, such as rapidly integrating newly connected devices, providing automated alerts for any critical anomalies, or displaying the uptime of different cutting tools.
To this end, Turck provides a two-way end-to-end communication service from the sensor to the cloud and back from the cloud to the sensor. This enables rapid, intelligent data exchange between the field level, controllers, data cloud, and relevant service personnel.
IO-Link supports access to additional data
Today's IO-Link communication standard has enabled the implementation of digitization in direct machine environments. Currently, many field devices are also equipped with processors that can provide information beyond user data, such as diagnostic data or device information.
IO-Link enables control systems to read both periodic and non-periodic data. This transforms IO-Link devices, such as sensors, into " talking " participants, thereby improving the availability of cloud services at the other end of the automation pyramid. Currently, Turck is integrating these two pioneering technologies— IO-Link and cloud service solutions—to ensure continuous end-to-end communication down to the " last mile . "
Signal preprocessing is performed using distributed intelligent devices.
To restrict data used above the field level to intelligent data, remote intelligence is required. In other words, the signals have been pre-processed in the fieldbus module. For example, Turck's TBEN-L-8IOL IO-Link master allows users to directly configure which variables are transmitted to the cloud. Remote evaluation of data also means performing time-critical measurements in the field without placing additional load on the communication network.
This ensures that even process sequences completed within milliseconds remain undisturbed, while only specific data becomes available for future use. Cloud services offer multiple ways to access this data, such as via cable using a Turck TBEN-L5-PLC-10 IP67 controller, or via wireless connection using a TCG20 IP67 cloud gateway via Wi-Fi or mobile networks.
Device identification and IODD update synchronization
What are the specific advantages of cloud services and IO-Link ? For example, their advantages are evident in device identification when technicians are debugging sensors or performing maintenance. These operations can waste valuable time and are a source of unexpected errors. Connecting the cloud to a central database containing descriptions of all IO-Link devices makes more sense. This way, newly connected devices in the field can transmit their manufacturer and device ID , along with parameters and communication attributes, to the cloud. Then, by comparing this information with the database, the corresponding IODD for that sensor can be identified . The cloud also enables visualization of device data and allows for adjustment of device parameters as needed.
Quickly replace the sensor when a malfunction occurs.
The same applies when replacing faulty devices. Once a sensor reports a fault, the information is sent directly to the employee via the cloud. Alarms can also be programmed to send notifications via email or SMS, in addition to visual notifications on the display panel. Because sensor configurations are stored in the cloud, faulty IO-Link devices can be replaced immediately without causing any problems. With bidirectional information exchange, the cloud can identify the type of connected replacement sensor and configure it with the appropriate parameters.
The additional data provided by IO-Link can also offer information about mechanical operation issues. For example, if an inductive sensor is used to monitor bolt movement, it can provide information on the switching distance in addition to the switching pulses. Once the distance between the target and the sensor reaches a critical value, it indicates accelerated wear, suggesting that the bolt clearance is too large. The cloud will then notify maintenance engineers, allowing them to take action before the target goes beyond the measurement range. Early notification enables timely intervention and prevents problems from occurring.
Digitalization implementation reaches the " last mile ".
For enterprises seeking end-to-end communication extending to the machine sensor level, combining IO-Link with cloud services is a significant advantage of Turck's IIoT solutions. Whether for commissioning or maintenance, condition monitoring or process optimization, the potential of IO-Link devices can be leveraged as needed. The cloud services used here can send device and machine data to the screens of different end devices. It can provide information such as exceeding limits or malfunctions, and with bidirectional IO-Link communication, it can itself act as an active system node, used for comparing device information in a database, etc.
Speed Reading
IO-Link enables end-to-end bidirectional communication extending to the sensor / actuator level and supports access to non-periodic data, thereby enhancing the potential of industrial cloud services. Currently, Turck is combining these two technologies to open up various process optimization opportunities for users. For example, simplifying procedures such as sensor replacement, displaying process parameters, and setting automatic condition monitoring parameters for machines.
