Controls News 13
82
Technology:
practically implemented lean technology with remote I/Os
Saia® Smart RIOs compared
to classic remote I/Os
Classic remote I/O systems have a central master and
independent «dumb» slaves. The application pro-
gram solely runs on the master, whose I/Os are dis-
tributed to the slaves (I/O mapping). If the master or
the connection between the master and the slaves
fails, downtime occurs. The RIOs are not able to work
autonomously.
With the Smart RIO concept, Saia-Burgess takes a
new approach and has created the Saia® PCD3.T66x
in a new Smart RIO (S-RIO) device class «made for
distributed automation». In addition to the master
(
manager), the concept also includes intelligent RIOs
(
employees) who can work and communicate inde-
pendently – including without a boss. Similarly to the
normal working world, the master (manager) man-
ages the application programs (tasks) and delegates
them to the Smart RIOs (employees). These then
conduct the assigned tasks independently. Even
if the master (manager) is not present, the S-RIOs
(
employees) still continue to work. Furthermore, the
S-RIOs can independently communicate with each
other or other network participants and exchange
data.
From the perspectives of functionality, programma-
bility, commissioning and service, the Smart RIOs
therefore offer far more possibilities and conven-
ience than conventional remote I/O systems. The
S-RIOs from SaiaBurgess represent real technological
progress for users and operators.
Lean automation with Smart RIOs
Anyone wanting to achieve more automation with less time, cost and effort has to leave
the beaten track an pursue new directions. The Smart RIOs are far more than just
another Ethernet remote I/O system and differ from classic remote I/O systems in many
ways. They can be programmed like a PLC and are therefore the ideal solution for
distributed automation in line with the lean philosophy.
Author: Urs Jäggi
Integrated PLC functionality
makes Smart RIO the smart automation device
for lean automation
The new Saia® Smart RIOs have several unique func-
tions that are not available with conventional remote
I/O systems: in addition to the classic functions of a
decentralized I/O station, Saia® PG5 application pro-
grams (IL, FUPLA, GRAFTEC) can also be simultane-
ously executed. The Smart RIO can therefore work
autonomously and even take on demanding man-
agement and control functions. Even if the manager
fails on occasion, the (sub) processes continue to
work unhindered on the SRIOs or can be brought into
a safe state.
Central programmanagement for greater con-
venience during commissioning and servicing
The application programs are centrally managed by
the «Smart Automation Manager» (S-RIOmaster) and
distributed to the S-RIOs. The fact that the applica-
tion programs do not have to be individually loaded
in every station saves time and money during the
programming, commissioning and servicing stages.
Even after replacing hardware, the configuration
and application programs are automatically trans-
mitted to the new S-RIO by the «Smart Automation
Manager». Neither a specialist nor a programming
tool are required to this end. Selected Saia® PCD-
CPUs and, in the future, Saia®Micro-Browser panels
can be used as the manager.
Smart RIOs speak many languages
In addition to the normal data exchange with the
«
Smart Automation Manager», the Smart RIOs also
support additional communication protocols such
Typical remote I/O working relationship:
one central «Master»,
multiple «dumb slaves». Nothing works without the boss.
Smart RIOs working relationship:
manager delegates
and monitors tasks, taking action if required. Participants can
still communicate and work without the boss.
Smart Manager
Old school boss (master)
Classic remote I/O system
compared to the innovative
Saia®Smart RIO concept
First Smart RIO version on the
basis of Saia®PCD3
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