December 15, 2015 - Balluff announces inductive coupler that allows bi-directional IO-Link communications of power and data over a small air gap, making it suited in the industrial space, where getting I/O in hard to reach places or to moving components is a challenge.
The IO-Link inductive coupler, with its small compact IP67 housing (40mm x 40mm x 70mm), offers 32 bytes of bi-directional data transfer over a standard 4-pole M12 sensor cable. It's also rated for 500mA at a 5mm gap with 24V power.
IO-Link utilizes standard 4-pole sensor cables and enables the connections to sensor hubs, actuation devices or IO-Link smart devices seamlessly, which helps significantly reduce cable clutter in industrial automation environments while allowing for large amounts of data transfer.
The Balluff inductive coupling solution utilizes the magnetic induction phenomenon to exchange power and data wirelessly over a small gap or over a non-metallic barrier. Because of the technology used, it is immune to vibration, oil, dust, or liquids.
"IO-Link enabled inductive couplers uniquely combines two of Balluff's product portfolios – the IO-Link family and the inductive coupling family – to tremendously simplify today's complex automation needs in robotics applications, assembly line automation, turntable-based systems, and even press automation," says Shishir Rege, Marketing Manager for Networking products at Balluff Inc.
About Balluff
Balluff Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Balluff GmbH, Neuhausen, Germany, is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of inductive, photoelectric, vision, capacitive and magnetic sensors as well as linear position transducers, RFID systems, and networking products. Balluff products for OEM and factory floor solutions are used to control, regulate, automate, assemble, position, and monitor manufacturing, assembly, and packaging sequences for industries including: metalworking, automotive, plastics, material handling, wood processing, aerospace, alternative energy, medical, electrical, and electronics.