Balluff claims it is the first company to offer fieldbus I/O modules with illuminated LCDs, thus opening up new possibilities for commissioning, maintenance and repair. Baud rates, node addresses and other information can be displayed, and damage-prone rotary switches can be eliminated, making the IP65-protected modules more reliable.

The first three modules (shown above) support CC-Link, Ethernet/IP and Profinet, and others are in the pipeline. The latter two modules have built-in Web servers, allowing devices connected to the modules’ IO-Link port to be parameterised remotely, and giving users remote access to diagnostics such as the modules’ LED indicators.

The LCD menus are controlled via two keys. The display can be locked from a PLC to prevent unauthorised access. Two PLC-controlled LEDs allow operators to visualise predefined events, which are not module- or port-specific, where the event is taking place.