September 19, 2010 - Balluff’s IO-Link based RFID systems allow the user to connect a complex device such as an RFID processor to an industrial network via a gateway using standard discrete sensor wiring.
- Simplify network topology and PLC setup by using the IO-Link block which treats the RFID data like standard I/O points.
- Reduce costs by running multiple RFID readers off one I/O block using standard, 3-conductor sensor cables (typical savings of 12% per ID point)
An example of where IO-Link–based RFID would have a significant impact would be in place of barcodes used in industrial applications like pallet assembly. RS232 barcode applications typically carry high installation costs, due to the price of the shielded RS232 cables and RS232 communication module for the PLC. There can also be additional cost for an I/O enclosure placed between the barcode readers and the PLC, because of cable length limitations of serial communication.The Balluff IO-Link solution utilizes cost-equivalent IO-Link-based RFID heads and processors, but offers 100% data reliability that the barcode readers do not.
In addition, the Balluff solution can replace the I/O enclosure, four shielded cordsets, and a 4-port RS232 PLC module with a single IO-Link Expansion Module and four 3-conductor, non-shielded cordsets. Not only is the installation simplified, the cost reduced, and the data reliability improved with the Balluff solution, but there are additional I/O points made available by the Expansion Module that can be used for analog devices, pressure sensors, discrete sensors, etc. or a combination of these.
