The platform-independent container app netFIELD App OPC UA IO-Link Adapter reads data and information from IO-Link masters and connected devices and converts them into the IoT protocol MQTT as JSON-encoded payload. To support this, the masters must adhere to the services and variables of the 'OPC UA IO-Link Companion Specification'.
With industrial networks such as PROFINET and EtherNet/IP, the app’s TCP/IP-based services can be transmitted in parallel and independently of the PLC’s exchanged input and output process data on the same network using a switch for example. For EtherCAT the PLC usually provides tunneled Ethernet-over-EtherCAT access to embed the services into the network. Extracting the data parallel to the controller in combination with IIoT technologies allows long-term data analysis as well as the detection of trends and error scenarios. Plant operators benefit from increased asset productivity through predictive maintenance, minimizing downtime, and optimizing workflows with intelligent machine learning algorithms.
For diagnostic purposes, the status of devices connected to the master, including their process data, can be viewed through the application’s web frontend. The necessary IODD files for the correct display of the data are automatically downloaded from the IODDFinder internet database.
