Pepperl+Fuchs Blog

The IO-Link communication protocol has become a recognized standard in almost every branch of industry. The microcontrollers used make the sensors even more intelligent and can store parameter settings and provide additional information about device status and signal quality. This makes it easy to replace defective sensors since stored settings can be automatically transferred to new sensors during operation. IO-Link can be integrated into any network independently of the fieldbus via point-to-point connection and 3-wire standard cabling. An IO-Link master can also be used to operate both IO-Link and conventional switching signals with identical wiring. In addition, IO-Link sensors can be connected to conventional digital inputs. Read more about these and other advantages in this blog.

Label detection applications require sensors to quickly position, check, and record the number of labels used during production. Both single-ended and capacitive sensors are commonly used for label detection, but these sensors have trouble detecting metallic materials. The issue being, metals can interfere with capacitive sensors’ ability to read gaps. Alternately, optical sensors can be used for label detection, however they cannot reliably measure transparent materials. On the other hand, double material detection sensors with ultrasonic technology are capable of detecting a wide range of materials. 

Rotary encoders are industrial sensors that monitor acceleration, speed, and direction. They compile data on shaft rotation and convert it to an analog or digital output signal. A number of industrial communication protocols are available, including PROFIBUS, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET. Rotary encoders are used in a wide range of industries, such as machine and plant engineering, material handling, and print/paper.

Designing control cabinets that save as much space as possible can be a challenge for plant operators working in fieldbus-based automation. Fieldbus installations help optimize space in electrical cabinets, since intermediate wiring is not required, and each field cable supplied from the cabinet connects up to 20 field devices to the control technology. The number of segments that can be installed per control point cabinet plays a key role in planning, because more segments per cabinet means fewer cabinets in the supply room and significant cost savings during construction. These factors contribute to savings for investors, planners, and plant operators. In order to achieve this goal, three factors have to be taken into account:

Many of today’s process automation applications depend on fieldbus technology because of its efficiency in digital bilateral communication. Fieldbus devices can communicate standard process values to the plant operator and the DCS; however, they also have the ability to provide additional information such as operating hours, process temperature, and status bytes for condition monitoring. This wide range of measurements allows plant operators to perform preventative maintenance, recognize field device faults, and predict outages to reduce downtime and increase availability.

Efficient intralogistics requires automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to move with speed and precision through warehouses or factory floors, avoiding obstacles and navigation errors. Navigation technology is essential to ensuring an AGV and the product it is carrying make it to their destination in one piece. One of the most popular types of AGV guidance technology is tape. The two types of AGV navigation tape are nonmagnetic tape, which can be comprised of Data Matrix codes or just solid color, and magnetic tape. 

Specialized protective equipment has to be used in environments that contain gases, vapors, combustible dusts, and fibers to prevent these materials from catching fire or exploding. Purge and pressurization systems help control these explosion hazards by segregating the electrical equipment inside of an enclosure from the surrounding potentially explosive atmosphere. An economical alternative to heavy and expensive explosion-proof enclosures, purge and pressurization systems pressurize enclosures with clean, dry compressed air or inert gas so hazardous gas or dust cannot get in.

There are many great reasons to attend this year's Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). One is to experience the technology from Pepperl+Fuchs. From May 6 to 9 at OTC in Houston, Texas, Pepperl+Fuchs will be exhibiting its process automation solutions for the oil and gas industry. These leading sensing technologies, explosion protection products, and intrinsically safe mobile devices will be featured at booth 4261 in Hall A of the NRG Center. Conference attendees will have a chance to learn more about the following technologies:

The FDA requires drug manufacturers to follow strict cleaning guidelines. According to the FDA, any equipment a manufacturer uses during drug production must be “cleaned, maintained, and, as appropriate for the nature of the drug, sanitized and/or sterilized at appropriate intervals to prevent malfunctions or contamination …” This is why drug manufacturers clean their batch process tanks at regular intervals.

High-tech drug manufacturers are utilizing Industry 4.0 technology to enhance their automated processes. Portable mixing tanks used in drug processing, preparation, material buffering, and storage are sometimes fitted with multiple industrial sensors to ensure the highest standards in drug production are always met. The data generated during these processes can be transmitted wirelessly to the process control system with the help of Pepperl+Fuchs’ Bullet WirelessHART adapters.