Room
Tool for smart communication and commissioning
Zimmer has introduced a master gateway and software tool for component commissioning. They enable simple parameterization and commissioning, and the benefits of IO-Link components can also be used on robots.
The market is currently in a state of flux, particularly in the field of lightweight robots. More and more manufacturers and models are enriching the field of automation with robot models for different tasks, but the interfaces are just as diverse as the characteristics of the robots. A generally binding interface standard does not exist and is not currently foreseeable. Zimmer recognized this challenge early on and presented mechatronic grippers based on the IO-Link standard as early as 2013. This was followed in 2016 by the PrepBox for parameterization, testing and service, and a year later a multifunctional and omni-communicative end-of-arm layer model was introduced as a technology carrier.
Zimmer has introduced the "Smart Communication Module (SCM)" in conjunction with the "guideZ" commissioning software to further simplify and optimize costs in industrial production. These enable simple parameterization and commissioning, but also allow the benefits and functionalities of IO-Link components to be used on robots - on robots that only allow digital communication.
The SCM as a master gateway is available in two versions - for control cabinet installation (protection class IP20) or for direct installation on the robot flange (IP54). Both versions are designed for the connection of two IO-Link components and can program the individual parameters of the components. They permanently convert the bus protocol from digital I/O to IO-Link. During parameterization, however, they also require a temporary Ethernet connection. Despite the relatively limited capabilities of the digital I/O transmission infrastructure of many robots, it is therefore possible to use almost all the functionalities of Zimmer's IO-Link components.
The second innovation is the "guideZ" software tool. "guideZ" is a software tool for the quick and easy commissioning of components. It enables user-guided implementation and commissioning for everyone. It is possible to switch between wizard or beginner and expert mode. The parameter data of this seven-step commissioning process can be easily and simply adapted to any PLC controller or even small controllers. as
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