Allen-Bradley ArmorBlock IO-Link master gathers sensor data

Sept. 7, 2016 – Manufacturers and industrial operators can now access “more detailed sensor diagnostics in harsh operating environments” using the IP67-rated, Allen-Bradley ArmorBlock IO-Link master from Rockwell Automation.

According to the company, the device builds on the company’s IO-Link portfolio with event and process timestamping capabilities for on-machine applications. The new IO-Link master promises to store up to 40 timestamps of sensor events on each channel, which can help users track changes and diagnose issues. The diagnostics available through the device can reduce issue-resolution time by as much as 90 per cent, notes Rockwell. The ArmorBlock IO-Link master includes connectivity for up to eight IO-Link sensors, says the company, adding that the master and sensors share an IP address.