Today, machines and systems produce a variety of data that goes beyond pure status recording for process control. A decentrally installed I/O system must capture incoming signals quickly and precisely and make them available in the network used. This is the only way to ensure efficient transmission to the data processing locations, such as controllers, IPCs or cloud systems. With this development in mind, Weidmüller is taking its I/O system to a new level. In keeping with u-remote’s tenth birthday, Weidmüller is equipping the I/O system with an extensive upgrade, thereby improving the performance of the modules.
In industrial automation, smart sensors provide significantly more complex information. In addition to the actual digital or analog measured values of a sensor, additional information such as the unit of the measured variable, time stamp or status information of the sensor is increasingly being transmitted. This brings more transparency into the status of a system or the efficiency of a process. At the same time, this has far-reaching consequences – for the volume of data, its prioritization as well as the data acquisition and processing that ensures the machine’s process capability. u-remote is now meeting these challenges with a new, more powerful backplane bus. Due to the seven times [1] greater performance, the amount of data that can be recorded per backplane bus cycle is significantly increased and the processing and output of the answers is significantly increased. This also makes it possible to record events even more precisely. Higher resolution allows control processes to be synchronized to further increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire system. Gradually, the entire I/O product family from u-remote will be equipped with this new chip. It is compatible with the previous system.
Successful then and now In
2013, the electronics company Weidmüller increased its focus on the automation industry. The remote I/O system u-remote impresses users today, as it did ten years ago, with its intuitive handling on both the software and hardware sides. Its mechanical advantages in particular contribute significantly to the success of the module. The slim design of the housing stands out compared to other solutions at 11.5 mm.
The structure of the I/O modules also makes it easy to replace electronics in the event of service. The three-part basic structure consisting of a connection strip, electronics and base module simplifies handling. The swiveling connection strip allows the electronics to be replaced while the wiring is stationary. This can be easily pulled out of the base module and replaced without tools using the integrated removal lever. Since the supply and communication contacts are completely integrated in the base module, the system is hot-swappable; The station does not even need to be disconnected from the power supply to replace the electronics. This reduces downtimes and the potential for errors to a minimum.
At the same time, the manual parameterization of the installed I/O station creates flexible solutions for users. Each module and the fieldbus coupler can be configured and parameterized according to your own needs. For example, the measuring ranges for each channel of an analog input module can be selected and set on a web-enabled device. This is made possible by the web server integrated in the fieldbus coupler. In addition, status information, diagnostics and process data available at the station can be accessed. Users also have the option to test, change and save settings directly. These can then be copied to other stations. Weidmüller thus enables simplified series installation of machines and systems. No additional software is required. The web server is accessed via one of the integrated interfaces for USB or Ethernet on the fieldbus coupler. The data can be accessed via standard web browsers.
Modules for every area of application
The initial basic portfolio of standard I/O modules has developed into a wide range of over a hundred modules for almost every area of application in ten years. The possible uses extend far beyond the area of classic mechanical engineering. Whether in shipbuilding, energy technology or the process industry: Weidmüller is constantly developing u-remote so that it can continue to support users with their individual challenges in the future. With currently eleven communication protocols, the remote I/O system can be integrated into almost any automation architecture. The close exchange between Weidmüller and its customers makes this development possible. New suggestions are exchanged in a spirit of partnership in order to continually improve u-remote and adapt it to a variety of applications.
u-remote is part of Weidmüller’s u-mation automation portfolio. As a partner, Weidmüller offers flexible solutions to meet customer requirements in their industry. u-mation’s comprehensive portfolio includes products for data acquisition, pre-processing, communication and visualization. This includes the smart sensors u-sense, the controllers of the u-control series, industrial Ethernet switches and the u-OS operating system. Data collection using u-remote lays the foundation for the path to Industrial IoT.