IO-Link workshop review

The IO-Link workshop was held on May 23 at Avans University of Applied Sciences in Den Bosch. In two different rooms, setups were ready where visitors were put to work in an interactive way. The workshop focuses on students and professionals and shows hands-on the latest developments in the field of IO-Link.

The industry values the simple installation, parameter assignment and fieldbus neutrality of IO-Link. The fieldbus-independent IO-Link standard is the ideal solution for many companies to connect products to systems and controllers.

Arjan Rietberg, technical engineer at FrieslandCampina, gives the opening presentation and offers a look behind the scenes. He emphasizes the importance of IO-Link in the dairy industry. A dairy factory consists of 71 percent valves, 19 percent instrumentation and then a bit of engine control. He talks enthusiastically about 'his' factories and about the advantages of IO-Link: cost-effective, hygienic and plug and play.

Avans University of Applied Sciences in Den Bosch offers a hospitable location for the IO-Link workshop. Well-organized, the two planned workshops are ready for the participants. More than 30 professionals and a group of students have registered and are patiently waiting. The workshops are interactive – you are put to work – this requires the necessary preparations from the organization.

The IO-Link workshop is an example of cooperation. Siemens, Murrelektronik, Turck BV and Endress+Hauser are in front of the group in pairs. Siemens and Murrelektronik show how you can integrate sensors and actuators with IO-Link in just a few steps. During the workshop by Turck BV and Endress+Hauser, the participants dive into the depths under strict supervision. Identification, configuration and integration are central.

Theory and practice. Today's teachers have prepared well and with the help of the necessary humor they help the participants to increase their knowledge and skills of IO-Link. Using practical tips & tricks and live demonstrations they show the possibilities and then the participants get to work themselves. Full of energy everyone gets to work and racks their brains over the challenging material. Typical techie humor shoots back and forth and with a smile and playful jabs under the table the participants successfully complete the workshop. Techies among themselves: a world that is convinced that we really have to do it together.

PI Nederland organizes the IO-Link workshop twice a year. Dive into the wonderful world of IO-Link and be guided by professionals from the field. The next PI Nederland activity is PROFIdag. Keep the website keep an eye on it and sign up for the newsletter of PI Nederland. During PROFIdag you will get to know the latest developments in the field of PROFIBUS, PROFINET, IO-Link and OMLOX.