Release Edge-IO-Link-Master: Computing power and centrally managed services for the field level

Hattersheim, 06. Feb. 2024 – Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH has released the two Edge IO-Link masters sensorEDGE FIELD and sensorEDGE. These IP67-rated devices combine computing power and standardized IO-Link sensor connection in one housing. sensorEDGE FIELD and sensorEDGE can be connected directly to Ethernet-based IT infrastructures without the need to intervene in existing communication networks and their controllers - unlike conventional IO-Link master devices. Hilscher additionally offers a centralized edge management platform via which the devices can be administered locally or via the Internet.

Hilscher’s IO-Link master devices are available in two different versions:

  • sensorEDGE FIELD: Open computing platform for your own software with optional centralized management
  • sensorEDGE: Complete solution for remote transmission of sensor data via a central platform

Both devices are based on a Linux OS that fulfills aspects of IEC 62443. Their application software is installed and operated securely and encapsulated via container technology. The devices can be configured and managed locally via a web interface or centrally via a platform.

A netFIELD DEVICE IO-Link Master in an industrial environment.
What’s the difference between the two devices?
A netFIELD Device IO-Link Wireless Master in an industrial environment.
sensorEDGE FIELD

sensorEDGE FIELD is an open data processing platform that customers can customize according to their own requirements

  • Advantage: Do-it-yourself for customized IIoT applications

Description:

sensorEDGE FIELD allows users extensive customization options based on their specific requirements. The device has two container engines: One for the local and manual deployment of container applications, and a second for interaction with a central management platform.
sensorEDGE FIELD comes with the preinstalled Linux operating system. The user decides which containerized software to run on the devices. A range of free basic containers offers features for IO-Link configuration and IO-Link on MQTT data provisioning. Centralized device management through a single platform is optional and available upon request.

Benefits:

Processing power at the edge: devices can run demanding container applications. In other words, data is not just collected. It is processed at the field level for a decisive advantage.

Containerized software: Using open but secure container technology, applications are encapsulated into individual containers.

Cloud agnostic: Users are free to choose whether they want the solution to communicate with a local cloud or to communicate with a public cloud over the Internet.

Operation without an Internet connection: sensorEDGE FIELD can be operated in local installations without the need for an Internet connection.

Optional centralized management: An additional option for users who choose solutions from Hilscher’s netFIELD IIoT platform.

 

A netFIELD DEVICE IO-Link Master in an industrial environment.
sensorEDGE

sensorEDGE is the solution for the transmission of local IO-Link sensor data with a centralized edge management function.

  • Advantage: The ready-to-use solution enables instant connection of sensors in less than 5 minutes

Description:

sensorEDGE transfers local IO-Link sensor data to remote MQTT clients. The solution consists of the IP67-rated device, including IO-Link sockets. All you need is a power source and an Internet connection. No more time-consuming setup.
As soon as the sensors are connected and automatically configured via the IODD (from an Internet file database), the sensor box transmits data to the cloud in 1-second intervals.

Benefits:

Start instantly: As soon as sensorEDGE is powered, the device starts operating. It saves you time.

Cost efficiency: All you need is a power supply and Internet access to integrate the device into your IT infrastructure.

Focused application: Enables data to be analyzed in terms of condition monitoring.

Access to data from anywhere: Data can be forwarded to any application where it can be processed to generate added value.

 

At SPS 2023 our Product Manager Armin Beck introduced our new product sensorEDGE with a demo.

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Related Links
A edge IO-Link master by Hilscher on a colorful background.

Edge IO-Link Master devices combine device management with computing power at the Edge and access to IO-Link sensor technology. This enables you to rapidly access and utilize sensor data from your machines for Industrial IoT applications.

Hilscher netPI Edge Gateway in use.

An overview of our Managed Industrial IoT platform: netFIELD is your IIoT edge infrastructure for implementing Industry 4.0 solutions. It enables you to make your machine data accessible and the necessary software and hardware centrally manageable.

A photo of the male and female customer support phone operator with different internationality
Customer Center / Sales: Hilscher North America, Inc.

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