"EASY ASI": PLANNING, CONFIGURATION, OPERATION AND DIAGNOSTICS MADE EASY

Simplicity is everything – this is the basic thought behind AS-Interface since the very beginning. It applies to all ASi generations up to ASi-3, and even more so for ASi-5 as the current technology standard which for the past three years or so has found success throughout the world of complex machines and systems while accelerating smart, digitalized automation concepts. Installers and commissioning engineers alike have long enjoyed the many benefits of the yellow ASi profile cable:

• One cable for data and power – no parallel wiring with its cable bundles
• Available by the roll where it is always available as needed – no stocking of different cable variants,
• Simple connection of modules using piercing technology
• Reverse polarity protection thanks to asymmetrical cable geometry
• System- and manufacturer-neutral,
• Free topology of the ASi network
• Modules are quickly and easily connected, replaced, moved or added – even at a later stage

And these are just the key features. But AS-Interface is far more than the cable itself, rather it’s a matter of what you are able to accomplish with it – namely intelligently and economically network sensors, actuators and controllers for machines and systems. To this end Bihl+Wiedemann has not only devoted great effort in their development of high-performance hardand software tools; the company also applies the experience gathered from a large number of already installed ASi modules and solved applications. The primary development goal has been to offer the user maximum ease of use in the planning, parameterization, commissioning, diagnostics and maintenance of the individual ASi devices as well as the overall system.

To make the planning, configuration, parameterization and commissioning of ASi networks as convenient and secure as possible in the fastest possible time, Bihl+Wiedemann offers Software Suites with two intuitive software programs: ASi Control Tools360 and ASIMON360 – the latter including safety aspects for the transmission of both safe and nonsafe data over the same cable. Both software tools support ASi-3 and ASi-5 components equally and enable simple integration of IO-Link devices.

The Software Suites feature an integrated hardware catalog that makes planning and configuration of ASi networks and parameterization of ASi modules in the software significantly easier. The necessary ASi-3 and ASi-5 modules are moved via dragand- drop from the catalog into a virtual control cabinet. Which level of technology is used is determined by the respective function. To integrate binary signals from a light curtain, only an inexpensive ASi-3 module is basically needed. When something like complex inverters or intelligent IO-Link devices must be integrated, ASi-5 offers the required data bandwidth and transmission speed.

During offline configuration the integrated commissioning wizard continuously performs plausibility checks, such as the number of devices in the ASi network, the presumed current draw, or the expected data quantity. If permissible values are exceeded, the software recommends additional ASi circuits. Once an ASi network is then activated, the online bus information can be used to simulate, diagnose and monitor the behavior of the in- and outputs. This shows you immediately what effects the current settings of the ASi modules are having. Possible errors in the ASi network are directly viewable, all the devices can be individually selected and their parameters modified live by the user.

Bihl+Wiedemann has developed specific profiles for a number of drives from various manufacturers and stored them in the software suites. The company has also defined their own manufacturer-neutral profiles. For customers of drive manufacturers this has the virtue that when there are delivery bottlenecks for example, there is the flexibility to switch suppliers and still be able to easily integrate the new drives into their ASi networks. The profiles are hard-coded in the Bihl+Wiedemann ASi modules are sent between the ASi device and the sensor or actuator as soon as communication is started. Each ASi-5 device provides sufficient space for a variety of profiles. Additional profiles can be updated or added via firmware update.

Another simplification is the storing of parameter sets for ASi-5 devices and their peripherals in the software. Once parameterized these settings can be copied to other modules or even used as a template which is available even between different projects. The parameters are retained redundantly in the ASi network: in the sensor or actuator, in the ASi device and in the ASi gateway. This means in case of an error – wherever it might occur – the parameters are quickly and automatically loaded into the replacement unit.

As soon as the devices have been installed in the field and addressed, the software suites can be used to place the ASi network in service. Here again comprehensive plausibility checks are performed. Does the planning in the software correspond to the installed and addressed reality on the machine? Are the correct devices connected, are there too many or too few? Were the correct devices removed from an existing maximum configuration or added to an existing configuration? Whether the user is an ASi pro or ASi newbie, whether it’s the first or an ongoing series of projects – Bihl+Wiedemann supports users in many ways when commissioning the software suites. There is no simpler way to plan, wire, address and commission ASi networks – not to mention the fact that previous ASi-3 users can just download the newest program version to upgrade to ASi-5..

With their intelligent hard- and software tools whose operability and user experience are continually improved, Bihl+Wiedemann ensures perfect support of the user in setup, operation and maintenance of ASi networks. ASi made easy.