Electricity + Control February 2017

SENSORS + SWITCHES + TRANSDUCERS

Figure 2: Assembly machine for the production of vacuum cleaner nozzles.

Figure 4: The ID tag chip is installed at the bottom of the workpiece carrier. The chip can store up to 224 bits.

The ID tag is available in different versions and offers flexible mounting options for workpiece carriers, tanks, etc. Using simple insulation displacement technology, the AS-I module can be connected with the yellowAS-i flat cable. To do so, the cable can be laid transversely or lengthwise through the module. The AS-i module is mounted without tools – for removing it you only need a screwdriver. Not only RFID read / write heads, but other sen- sors, such as light barriers or inductive sensors can be connected via AS-i modules with the controller. This reduces even more wiring. Being the head-end, the AS-i master collects all data for all com- mon superior fieldbuses. Because of the integrated PLC functionality it can pre-process the data, supporting the plant controller.

Figure 5: Sensors can be connected to any spot of the AS-i cable via a flat cable insulation displacement con- nector.

Conclusion Gerhard Feyerabend, control engineer at Wessel-Werk remarks on the simplicity of the AS-i RFID system: ‘Setting up the system is much simpler than expected because the read heads immediately send the data to the PLC after installation and addressing. A further configuration is not necessary!’ For ifm, RFID in combination with AS-i is ideal for identification tasks in assembly technology which are easy to implement.

Andreas Biniasch studied electrical engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Bochum, Germany, from 1989 to 1994. From 1994 to 2000 he worked as a journal- ist in the IT sector and since 2000 he has been the senior editor and photographer for ifm electronic, marketing and communication.

• Nozzle production is complicated. • The AS-i- based RFID system described is used for a problem-free process flow. • This system is ideal for identification tasks in assembly technology.

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Enquiries: Email andreas.biniasch@ifm.com or info.za@ifm.com

February ‘17 Electricity+Control

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