nass magnet GmbH, based in Hanover, is part of a global group of companies that is one of the market leaders in the field of modular and compact electromagnetic components. With more than 700 employees worldwide, nass magnet develops, manufactures and markets solutions for a wide range of control applications, for example for air, neutral gases, liquids and other media. The company's customers particularly value the know-how acquired over decades, the overall expertise available at any time from a single source, including product adaptation to the customer interface, as well as the fulfillment of the highest quality, environmental and safety requirements.

Master and connector

In the field of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and smart industrial production, nass magnet has presented a revolutionary innovation: The Ethernet IO-Link Master and the Smart Valve Connector are designed to enable IIoT systems and applications to be fully operated. Thanks to the JSON interface, which follows the new "JSON Integration for IO-Link" specification, managing IO-Link sensors and actuators has never been so easy. nass magnet thus promises to set a new standard in the field of Industry 4.0 that is not only convenient but also efficient.

A PLC can be dispensed with

According to nass magnet, the two products mentioned enable seamless integration into existing systems and at the same time offer the flexibility to develop new applications. The Ethernet IO-Link Master is a versatile device that allows users to easily manage sensors and actuators via an Ethernet interface. The Ethernet TCP/IP interface does not require an industrial controller (PLC), but can be used to query and/or control sensors and actuators from a standard computer (Windows PC) or a mobile device (tablet, cell phone).

Continuous data exchange

With the Smart Valve Connector, valves can be connected directly and communicate via the IO-Link protocol. The connector continuously transmits the cyclical process data (valve switching status and PWM mode) to the master and also enables the electrical signals of the connected valve system to be checked.

In addition to the cyclical process data, acyclical, so-called ISDU data (Indexed Service Data Unit) can also be retrieved, such as supply voltage, output current, coil resistance, temperature measured in the valve connector and the coil power calculated from the electrical data. It is also possible to set limit values for the values above which a warning is issued. By evaluating the electrical data, it is also possible to detect whether the armatures in the valve system have been able to change their condition mechanically without having to make any changes to the existing armature or coil products.

Real preventive maintenance

Thanks to the advanced technology used, these products are not only user-friendly but also extremely efficient, according to nass magnet. The JSON interface enables the use of visualization platforms running on PCs, for example Node-RED, which provides a dashboard with a clear overview of all connected devices, facilitating true preventive maintenance and troubleshooting in the event of a failure.

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