The connected factory: IO-Link as an international standard for intelligent sensor integration provides numerous opportunities for clients in automation. And this is precisely where SICK plays a role.
The latest SIG300 IO-Link Master from SICK is establishing the benchmark for flexibility, connectivity, and ease of use. This renders it an essential element for effective automation activities. Notable features include the built-in logic editor that addresses remote control functions directly on the device, along with the USB-C port for easy configuration of the SIG300. The incorporation into diverse device and fieldbus environments is also straightforward due to SICK’s Function Block Factory.
The SIG300, which is IP67-certified, features eight ports and can handle up to 102 digital signals when combined with a SIG100. Additionally, in contrast to other IO-Link Masters available, it provides extensive capabilities within a small device.
Bridge between OT and IT – How the SIG300 is closing the gap
Increasing digitalization in industry requires end-to-end communication between machines and systems at operational level (OT) as well as server and cloud environments in IT systems. SIG300 assumes the central role as an intelligent data broker. Companies can integrate sensor and actuator data into IT and cloud platforms in real time via several interfaces, including JSON-REST API and MQTT. This is particularly relevant for applications such as condition monitoring, process control, and remote maintenance.
Thanks to the support for Ethernet-based fieldbuses such as EtherCAT, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP, the SIG300 ensures flexible integration into a wide range of control systems. This facilitates the connection to programmable logic controllers (PLC) without the need for complex adaptations.
Plug-and-play implementation – even in heterogeneous device landscapes
Users of the SIG300 are able to configure and parameterize connected IO-Link devices effortlessly and without additional software directly in the web interface of the SIG300 – thanks to the integrated IODD interpreter. Customers can also access SICK’s Function Block Factory online and generate suitable manufacturer-independent function blocks. This makes it just as easy to integrate the SIG300 into fieldbuses and controllers from different manufacturers, and to seamlessly integrate it into the existing automation environment.
Furthermore, the “Backup & Restore” function makes it much easier to replace connected devices. As soon as a sensor or actuator is replaced, the SIG300 automatically transfers the previously saved device configuration to the new device – without any additional time or effort on the part of the user. The same applies to the configuration of the SIG300, which can be duplicated and transferred to other SIG300 devices. This saves customers time and money for the programming that would otherwise be required.
Logic editor for efficient edge computing
SIG300 is one of the few IO-Link Masters to offer an integrated logic editor. This enables decentralized filtering and analysis of IO-Link device data. Thanks to this pre-processing, logic operations such as counting, averaging or limit value monitoring can be performed in the SIG300 and data can be bundled for data transfer. Customers benefit from increased responsiveness, reduced computing loads in automation systems, and lower data transmission volumes. This can lead to significant cost savings for cloud services.
The key to intelligent automation
The SIG300 IO-Link Master seamlessly records, manages and integrates process and device data. This opens up numerous application possibilities in the most diverse fields of process control. In quality control, the SIG300 detects production errors early by identifying deviations from defined sensor parameters. This reduces scrap costs, increases yields, and ensures a consistently high product quality while consuming fewer resources.
In automated assembly processes in particular, both product quality and process reliability can be significantly improved through the data-supported control of robots, grippers and other handling systems. SIG300 analyzes the transmitted sensor data, thereby enabling the error-free recording and placement of objects. The SIG300 also offers decisive advantages in the condition monitoring of machines in demanding industries. It records critical changes in real time and displays them via multiple channels: A connected signal lamp immediately alerts employees at the operational level to a critical message, while the SIG300 concurrently forwards the data to monitoring applications at the IT level. In addition, the SIG300 records the status of the sensors so that maintenance measures and sensor replacements can be carried out as required in the shortest possible time.
Bidirectional communication with the connected devices also enables efficient remote maintenance – for maximum availability and minimum downtime.
The versatility of the SIG300 makes numerous other applications possible. Companies that want to future-proof their automation systems benefit from a powerful, scalable and easy-to-integrate solution.