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Pepperl + Fuchs VMT provides turnkey industrial vision and laser sensor systems, as well as off-the-shelf vision sensors, 2D data matrix and barcode readers. System solutions include: 2D and 3D robotic control and guidance; OCR and barcodes; palletizing and de-palletizing; measurement and position determination; camera-guided parts handling; parts identification; inspection of glue coats; and quality control. Pepperl + Fuchs is an international company with a strong global presence.

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IO-Link master with OPC UA

POSTED 12/05/2019

IO-Link master with OPC UA interfacePepperl+Fuchs has become the first company to offer IO-Link masters with an OPC UA interface and is therefore paving the way for end-to-end, transparent, and seamless communication from the lowest field level to the cloud

The automation specialist Pepperl+Fuchs has acquired the business of Comtrol Corporation. Comtrol is a pioneer in the field of Ethernet-based industrial communication and a leading provider of IO-Link masters. Pepperl+Fuchs has therefore strengthened its position as a system provider in the IO-Link sector and has become the first company to be able to offer IO-Link masters with an OPC UA interface.

OPC UA is an Ethernet-based communication protocol and provides an easy and flexible method of communication between machines or between a machine and the cloud. OPC UA is characterized by its independence, which gives customers incredible flexibility when designing their IoT systems, and ensures that they have complete freedom, no matter which platform they choose to use.


 

By combining OPC UA and IO-Link, Pepperl+Fuchs has opened up completely new possibilities for end-to-end, transparent, and seamless communication from the lowest field level to the cloud. If IO-Link functions as the interface for the identification, diagnostics, and parameter data from the sensor technology, OPC UA provides the perfect solution for transmitting this data to PC- or cloud-based systems in full and in parallel with time-critical control communication. This is the only way to realize broader visions surrounding Industry 4.0 as detailed data can be collected from the lowest field level and evaluated in a target-oriented manner.