GEA T.VIS control head with IO-Link technology

The degree of automation in production plants in the food, dairy and beverage industry is constantly increasing. This also increases the demand for intelligent field devices. Sooner or later this leads to a confusing multitude of interfaces with different mechanical and electrical characteristics. In general, a solution to this challenge is called IO-Link and GEA’s T.VIS actuators are now available with this technology. In addition to the 24 V, AS-i and DeviceNet communication types already available in the T.VIS range, the IO-Link technology will now enable GEA valves to make the step into the industrial 4.0 world. IO-Link provides customers with a standardised solution that simplifies installation and offers extended diagnostic and parameterisation capabilities.

The T.VIS actuator range for GEA valves can provide efficiency benefits in the design and operation of food, dairy and beverage production and processing plants. Real-time diagnosis of data and direct access to sensor parameters, especially during valve set-up and maintenance, improve the handling and operability of the valve unit. Problems can be anticipated before they escalate. The technology also enables greater plant effectiveness, identification of performance trends and reduction of downtime.

With the T.VIS control head with IO-Link technology, GEA presents the consistent further development of the previous connection technology for sensors, actuators and thus also for control heads of the latest generation. IO-Link is a globally standardised IO technology (IEC 61131-9) for communicating with sensors and also actuators down to the field level. The powerful point-to-point communication is based on the long-known 3-wire sensor and actuator connection without any additional requirements on the cable material.

An IO-Link system consists of an IO-Link master and one or more IO-Link devices. The IO-Link master represents the interface to the higher-level control level (PLC) and controls the entire communication with the connected IO-Link devices. This makes the system an intelligent solution at the field level.