Schmersal's IIoT demonstrator at SPS 2023

The innovative components and systems from Schmersal enable a comprehensive machine communication and a holistic integration ranging from the field level all the way to the cloud.

To make this evident, Schmersal will be exhibiting an IIoT demonstrator in Hall 9, Stand 460: The demonstrator features a conveyor belt with two compact 3D ToF cameras installed above it. The IIoT demonstrator from Schmersal is used to illustrate how the data and information collected by the cameras, the PROTECT-PSC1 safety controller and a PLC, can be forwarded to an edge gateway via OPC UA and, if needed, to a cloud infrastructure – for instance, as a starting point in determining production-related key performance indicators.

Novelty at SPS: AM-T100 ToF camera

An integral part of the IIoT demonstrator is the AM-T100 3D camera, which Schmersal presented for the first time at the beginning of this year. Here, the integrated Sony DepthSense sensor uses time-of-flight (ToF) technology, i.e. runtime measurement of emitted light pulses in the infrared range (850 nm), that are reflected by the objects being captured. This allows for creating a 3D image of the scene at high speed that is accurate to the millimetre and that is available as a point cloud. In this way, the camera can determine the position and the dimensions of an object or detect the fill level of a container, for example.

High-performance fault diagnosis

Schmersal will also present a new gateway for the acquisition of diagnostic data at the SPS, which is equipped with a web server and a microSD memory card. This allows users to analyse event logs live via the web interface and read out the entire diagnostic data from all connected safety switches in plain text in the browser. The diagnostic data can be transmitted to the machine controller via various fieldbus protocols. The new SDG fieldbus gateway will be of particular benefit to users in terms of high performance fault diagnosis.

Safety Fieldbox – now also compatible with EtherNet/IP CIP Safety and EtherCAT/FSoE

On the safety-related level, the successfully introduced Safety Fieldbox ensures uncomplicated data transfer to a safety controller through its simple and fail-safe connection of up to eight safety switching devices of different types. At SPS, Schmersal will be showcasing two new variants of the product: As of now, the box can not only be integrated into systems with PROFINET/PROFIsafe as before, but will also be available for the EtherNet/IP with CIP Safety and EtherCAT with FSoE bus systems.

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