Balluff distributed modular I/O for food and beverage

Balluff has introduced a range of machine-mount, IP69K protection rated, ECOLAB certified distributed I/O modules supporting EtherNet/IP, Profinet and IO-Link.

The IP69K range includes network I/O, IO-Link masters and IO-Link I/O hubs. These distributed I/O modules can be mounted right on the machine, close to sensors and actuators, to reduce cable routing. Standard M12 connections to sensors eliminate the need for cable terminations in the cabinet. All the modules are equipped with onboard diagnostics for ease of integration and maintenance.

ECOLAB certified stainless steel V4A (1.4571) housing with elevated two-hole mounting makes the modules easy to clean with high-pressure fluids or steam wash or corrosive chemicals.

Balluff’s IO-Link I/O hubs can scale-up to 240 I/O points on a single network node. IO-Link enables machine builders to bring the status and configuration of sensors on board the controller with the same M12 washdown-rated sensor cable that is used for standard 3-wire sensors.

Distributed modular architecture is commonly used in automotive and general automation applications. With IP69K modules, users in the food and beverage industry can simplify their controls architectures and reduce cabinet space by utilising machine-mount devices.

The range includes IO-Link masters with eight IO-Link ports. Each port can be configured as dual input or output, or can connect to a wide variety of IO-Link sensors or actuator modules as well as IO-Link sensor/actuator hubs. Network nodes equipped with an IO-Link master communicate directly with the controller or machine control device via EtherNet/IP or Profinet.