I/O Hubs With M8 Connectivity Simplify Integration, Reduce Costs

EIN DCS BalluffIOhub 400 January 11, 2019

Balluff’s newest I/O hubs deliver M8 quick connect to enable resilient distributed modular architecture for compact footprint machines and end effectors.

Balluff’s new M8 I/O hub portfolio enables Balluff IO-Link masters to host up to 248 discrete sensors on a single network node. This replaces the need for up to 16 network blocks and eliminates the associated costs for integration. Use of M8 sensors and actuators are primarily geared toward compact footprint machine designs or light weight designs.

Typically, M12 network blocks are used with splitters to integrate M8 sensors in case of distributed architectures. This requires multiple network blocks and splitters which create numerous failure points and add to the overall project budget. Balluff’s M8 I/O hubs eliminate the additional cost of adding network nodes and splitters by simplifying integration with direct M8 connectivity and unique expansion port strategy.

Ports on the configurable hub can be freely configured as input or output, providing short circuit and overload protection per port. Like its M12 I/O hub portfolio, the Balluff M8 portfolio has IP67 robust metal housing suitable for most harsh industrial environments, has input only and has a configurable I/O option.

The key features of M8 portfolio includes:

Compact metal IP67-protection-rated housing
8-channel and 16-channel design for perfect application fit
Ports on configurable hub can be freely configured as input or output, providing short circuit and overload protection per port
Enhanced diagnostics with IO-Link
300mA output per channel and max 1.6A per I/O hub

Put to the Ultimate Test – Part 1: Torsion Tests by HELUKABEL

DCS Put to the Ultimate Test Part 1 Torsion Tests by HELUKABEL 1 400x275

Cables and wires in industrial robots and other moving machine parts are often required to withstand extreme stresses caused by torsion. Constant repetitive movements put materials under considerable strain. At the same time, operators expect components to function perfectly and reliably throughout their entire service life to avoid disruptions, outages and safety hazards.

For this reason, at HELUKABEL, we simulate intensive and continuous torsion stresses under realistic conditions with our high-tech testing equipment in Windsbach. We have several types of apparatus for doing this because some of our customers, for example those in the automotive industry, have very precise specifications for how a torsion test is carried out. The tests show that our cables and wires withstand speeds up to 1,000°/s, accelerations up to 2,000°/s² and torsion angles up to 720°. Hence, we make sure that each product always meets our customers’ high standards, and that they receive the impeccable quality they rightly expect from us as a leading supplier of cables, wires and accessories for more than 40 years.

What Is Torsion?

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