Products
28.08.2023
IO-Link Wireless wins first place in Product of the Year awards
Michael Zahlecker, Product Manager at Balluff, provides fascinating insights into development work, its challenges and his personal thoughts on the ways IO-Link Wireless will disrupt the industrial automation landscape.
How did you feel when you heard that IO-Link Wireless was in first place among the products of 2023?
Michael Zahlecker: My first thought was "Cool!". Due to the constant exchange with our customers, I was not surprised that IO-Link Wireless was so well received. Of course, we are especially pleased that it ended up in first place. This shows us that we are on the right track. I am proud that we had the right instinct to go to market so early.
What was your motivation when developing the product?
Michael Zahlecker: To be innovative - which is essential to Balluff as a company. Up until now, only proprietary systems have been available in industrial automation. We wanted to push IO-Link as a standard so that it can also be used wirelessly.
IO-Link wireless sensor-/actorhub connects up to 8 digital IOs to the IO-Link wireless system.
Which experience left a lasting impression on you during the developmental process?
Michael Zahlecker: Finishing the development of IO-Link Wireless was a very special moment for me. The product was well received by the customers, immediately there was a high level of interest, and everything worked for the first pilot customers. That made me very happy.
What makes IO-Link Wireless particularly powerful from your point of view?
Michael Zahlecker: IO-Link Wireless makes automation solutions possible that were previously very complex or even impossible to implement, all the while maintaining the wired variant's level of data transmission security. In addition, it sets an industrial standard. Another advantage is that it fits seamlessly into the IO-Link world and is compatible with all other components.
Although the product is still quite new on the market, it is already being used in numerous applications. What are some of the particularly suitable applications for it?
Michael Zahlecker: We have received orders from well-known customers from the automotive industry as well as electronics manufacturers. Generally, IO-Link can be utilized anywhere things are in motion, for instance when pallets are changed or on a robotic arm. The customer feedback we receive is overwhelmingly positive. We're constantly collecting this feedback and do our best to apply it down the line in the development process.
Does the emergence of IO-Link Wireless mark the end of the "wired era"?
Michael Zahlecker: No, it definitely doesn't. There are enough applications for which the wired variant with a wired master and hubs are completely sufficient. I don't consider the two product variants to be competing. Instead, this wireless component is an expansion of our IO-Link portfolio.
There are several applications where cables are not used, for example during a tool change on the equipment. Previously, it wasn't possible to utilize IO-Link in situations like this, but now we can enable our customers to do just that, even for applications where it has previously been difficult or impossible to establish a data connection through cables.
What is the current status of the product? Are you planning any further short- or long-term developments?
Michael Zahlecker: We are. Right now we have a PROFINET variant and are currently working on an Ethernet/IP variant. In addition, we are working on an approval for the North American market.
BOS 21M with IO-Link offers a wide range of applications with its flexible red light sensors in a robust metal housing, especially in a harsh industrial environment.
What do you consider the main factor that led to this success?
Michael Zahlecker: I think it's the fact that we're a small team that put in a lot of effort and passion into this, and applied their innovative mindset. Every single person involved identified with the product. It was a lot of work for everyone and turned out to be an absolute team success for which four developers worked hand in hand. Especially considering it's a wireless system, which was new even for all of us, meaning we weren't able to fall back on existing testing structures. The developers had to commute to an external laboratory for weeks on end to conduct readings and tests to get the product to where we wanted it. We would never have achieved this without a dedicated team that works so well and so closely together.
You have been interviewed and quoted about the product a lot recently. If you could ask yourself a question, which would it be?
Michael Zahlecker: No one has asked me if this product has the potential to lastingly change industrial automation. And my answer is yes. It's completely new, and there has been nothing like it previously. Wireless has not reached the world of machinery like wi-fi has almost every home. But creating and developing standardization will open up new ways of thinking and opportunities for plant engineers.
