The IO-Link standard is a significant driver in automated and robotic systems across many manufacturing applications and control software is a crucial part of this process, especially at sensor level. Sensing and Instrumentation specialists Baumer recognize these opportunities and the development of new PC software for the evaluation, selection, and parameterisation of IO-Link devices is an important step forward.
The new Baumer Sensor Suite (BSS) helps engineers to test, implement, and evaluate IO-Link devices more efficiently because of intuitive visualisation of sensor functions. The latest software is a center piece for application development by connecting IO-Link devices to many IO-Link masters on the market. BSS enables users to access a variety of sensor functions and settings for new control models, such as dual channel and new parameterisation concepts.
Many of these functions are new, or have been simplified in terms of condition monitoring, teaching capabilities, format alignments, special filters, or secondary data, representing opportunities for improved plant efficiency and increased flexibility, yet they also raise the complexity in the selection and parameterisation of IO-Link sensors.
The new BSS allows engineers to exploit the full potential of these functionalities with minimum effort. A plug and work feature significantly speeds up development processes while intuitive visualisation supports fast and precise parametrisation which benefits commissioning engineers and collaborators. A save and restore function helps users to easily transfer the prior optimised parameters to the IO-Link devices whilst also supporting error analysis helping to improve ongoing maintenance. Faster access to diagnostic data and clear visualisation also helps external servicing technicians to quickly grasp the sensor and application situation, which may help to reduce downtime.
The BSS is based on future-proof software architecture utilising elements of the Microsoft Azure Cloud maximizing access to the latest software versions and functionalities. BSS in its basic version including Apps Catalogue, Device Library and Device Cockpit can be downloaded from the Baumer website. The basic version is the starting point for other Baumer Apps and digital services and therefore represents the ideal tool to fully exploit IO-Link device potential, both now and in the future.