Packaging automation with ASi – flexible, economical, hassle-free

Packaging solutions for your system

Packaging automation is an ideal field of application for AS-Interface (ASi). This is because the advantages of our hassle-free wiring system come into their own here – e.g., in packaging machines, robots, palletizers, pallet stretchers, strapping machines and shrink-wrapping machines. The proven advantages of ASi include the ability to supply voltage and communication data on a single cable, as well as simple wiring thanks to piercing technology. This is complemented by a flexible topology and the transmission of safe and standard signals on the same cable.

 

Thanks to ASi-5 – the latest generation of AS-Interface – you now have maximum convenience and economy when integrating a wide variety of (smart) IO-Link devices, such as distance sensors or signal lights, which are becoming increasingly important in packaging automation. ASi-5/ASi-3 gateways with an integrated OPC UA interface also facilitate straightforward transfer of IIoT-relevant data to cloud-based databases. With our ASi-5 motor modules, you can also efficiently control 24 V and 48 V motorized rollers from suppliers such as Interroll, Itoh Denki and RULMECA and many others. As for frequency inverters, we offer solutions for SEW, NORD, Lenze, Rockwell and Bonfiglioli, for example.

 

Functional safety is also unproblematic with ASi. Safety components such as E-stop buttons, safety switches, door locks and light barriers, which are important in packaging automation, can be seamlessly integrated.

Advantages at a glance

Proven
ASi advantages

With AS-Interface, you always benefit from a drastically reduced wiring effort. Compared to round cable solutions, wiring costs can be reduced by around 68%. Thanks to piercing technology, you can easily connect or relocate modules – with maximum contacting reliability.  Other advantages of ASi include free choice of topology and cost-efficient integration of safety on the same infrastructure.

Simple IO-Link
integration

Integrate a wide range of IO-Link devices such as optical distance sensors or signal lights with maximum convenience and economy. We offer you inexpensive IO-Link masters with 1, 2, 4 and 8 ports. Besides, IO-Link is also perfectly embedded in ASi-5 and our user-friendly PC software – from the device to the PLC or cloud.

Versatile
drive solutions

Combine our ASi-5 and ASi-3 drive solutions to always have the perfect mix for any requirement. Our ASi-5 motor modules allow you to efficiently control 24 V and 48 V motorized rollers – from manufacturers such as Interroll, Itoh Denki and RULMECA, among others. As for frequency inverters, we offer solutions for SEW EURODRIVE, NORD, Lenze, Rockwell and Bonfiglioli, for example. ASi-5 is also an excellent solution for complex requirements in the drive sector.

Functional safety
for every system size

You can seamlessly integrate all the safety-related components required for packaging automation – safe sensors, actuators, and safety monitors – into your packaging automation system. Safe and standard signals can be transmitted on the same cable. This eliminates the duplication of infrastructure that was previously necessary.

Easy integration of safety switches and door locks in ASi

Bihl+Wiedemann has developed active distributors ASi Safety with integrated ASi chip especially for safety switches from manufacturers, such as Schmersal, Pilz, Keyence and EUCHNER. They enable you to easily integrate safety switches from these manufacturers into ASi. The pin assignment matches the respective connection seamlessly (e.g., 8-pole M12 plug). This makes it very easy to integrate the devices into the ASi network.

 

Passive distributors enable ASi-capable components with an integrated ASi chip to be easily integrated into the installation system.

 

The particularly compact design of the active distributors and passive distributors has been optimized for the cable duct and opens up the possibility for completely individual installation paths. And thanks to pre-assembled cables, you not only save hardware costs and connection time, but also minimize potential sources of error. We are happy to develop additional variants upon request.

 

Of course, it is also possible to use conventional wiring in the control cabinet using our safety I/O modules in IP20.

Data and power on one cable

ASi connects the modules in the lowest process level in automation systems with each other. The usual cable harnesses are replaced by a single electrical cable – the ASi cable. Both data and power are transmitted on this one cable.

ASi cable

Standard parallel wiring

Piercing technology

  • 2 wires, unshielded and not twisted
  • Data and power on a 2-wire cable
  • Simple assembly by using piercing technology

Safety Basic Monitor

For small applications with three or more safe signals, we offer the Safety Basic Monitor, a safe small control without gateway, but with configurable signal outputs. The ASi Safety Module is universally expandable and is also suitable as a head station for special safety applications.

 

  • Cost-effective variant for small applications

  • Safe small control

  • Wide function range

  • Easily expandable via AS-Interface

  • Easy to integrate into existing systems

  • Simple coupling to other systems

  • Programmable via PC

  • Max. 31 safe modules per device

  • Narrow width Safety Basic Monitor: 22.5 mm

 

More Information

With fieldbus interface

 

  • Optimal PLC connection via fieldbus
  • All diagnostic data in the controller
  • Safety and standard signals
  • Up to 62 safe modules per device
  • Safe sensors of many providers with ASi connectable
  • Low installation costs for additional modules

Gateways with integrated Safety Monitor


Safe coupling Safe Link over Ethernet

 

  • Safe Link over Ethernet
  • Max. 31 devices with 62 safe modules per device
  • 31 safety bits per monitor
  • Everyone hears everyone
  • The simplest way of coupling many safe signals

 

More Information

Fields of application for packaging technology with Bihl+Wiedemann

  • Packaging machines
  • Robots
  • Palettizers
  • Shrink wrapping
  • Pallett stretchers
  • Strapping machines

Products and solutions for packaging automation

Bihl+Wiedemann offers a wide range of solutions for packaging automation.

IO-Link Master

Product selector

 

With the ASi modules with integrated IO-Link masters from Bihl+Wiedemann intelligent IO-Link sensors and actuators can now be easily incorporated into ASi – exactly there, where they are needed. The IO-Link sensors can be easily parametrized using the configuration tool from Bihl+Wiedemann

Drive solutions

Product selector

 

ASi makes full use of all its strengths in material handling technology. The motor modules for roller drives from Bihl+Wiedemann allow 24V motors to be controlled directly through ASi without the need for an additional control device. The speed of any driven roller can be varied from a central location. Our modules also make it possible to make use of the braking energy of the rollers in the system. Inputs on the modules are used to read in signals from sensors installed along the conveyor line.

 

In addition to motor modules for roller drives, Bihl+Wiedemann also provides drive solutions for remotely controlling AC motors (with or without frequency inverters) – an essential prerequisite for implementing new system structures.

Safety components

Product overview

 

In addition to the efficient transmission of standard data from the field to the controller/PLC, ASi safety at Work technology makes it possible to send safe signals up to PLe over the same 2-conductor ASi cable. This means safe I/Os can be checked and turned off right where the signal originates. The transmission of safe and non-safe signals over a single two-conductor cable immensely minimizes wiring while further optimizing the network layout.

Do you have questions about AS-Interface solutions from Bihl+Wiedemann?

ASi – A resource-saving technology

Thanks to the greatly reduced wiring effort with AS-Interface, you save assembly and material costs. This saves valuable resources.

 

More information!