Modular RFID interface

The BL ident RFID product portfolio has been expanded with the release of a simple RFID (RFID-S) slice for its BL20 modular I/O system. Each RFID-S slice contains two channels of RFID. Additional RFID slices, as well as traditional discrete and analog I/O slices, may be added to the system, making it the only product on the market that allows this combination on the same node on the network, according to Turck.

This flexible design facilitates the integration of RFID into both new and existing systems. The RFID-S slice does not require special software for integration into a PLC system, further simplifying the entire process.

The RFID-S slice is compatible with Turck’s IP20-rated BL20 non-programmable and programmable gateways, available for use on Profibus-DP, Profinet, DeviceNet, Modbus TCP/IP and EtherNet/IP networks. All RFID channels operate in parallel, so there is no time delay during communication between the tag and the read/write head — optimising production speeds. The slice is designed with digitised communication, allowing up to a 50 m separation between the transceiver and slice without noise induction to ensure clear, unobstructed application results.