Turck's IO-Link portfolio has been further expanded with the TBEN-L-8IOL multiprotocol IO-Link master with protection to IP67 and IP69K. The Ethernet block I/O module offers eight IO-Link master ports in the robust TBEN-L housing. The module supports the Class B standard at four of the eight ports. Actuators such as IO-Link valve blocks or robot grippers can thus be provided with an isolated power supply of up to 2 amperes. To switch off actuator groups during operation, the auxiliary voltage can not only be switched off permanently but also at any given time, depending on the process data. Users can thus optimize their power management through the efficient use of the connected IO-Link devices.

Like all other Turck IO-Link masters of the TBEN series, the TBEN-L-8IOL also features SIDI, which stands for “Simple IO-Link Device Integration”. In Profinet engineering projects, IO-Link devices from Turck and Banner can thus be added and configured by drag & drop in the hardware configuration. Any programming becomes unnecessary. The TBEN-L-8IOL is also provided with an FLC function. As field logic controllers, or FLCs, the modules can carry out elementary control tasks themselves. This enables users to implement small applications without the need for an additional PLC. In larger applications, the FLC function relieves the processing requirement on the parent control system. Configuration and programming are carried out via the ARGEE web-based engineering system.

As a multiprotocol device, the TBEN-L-8IOL IO-Link master module can be operated in Ethernet networks with Profinet, EtherNet/IP or Modbus TCP Ethernet masters without any intervention required by the user. Other multiprotocol features, such as a switch for linear topologies, as well as a web server are also integrated in the new TBEN-L-8IOL. The devices will be available at the end of 2016.