One sure way to boost operational efficiency and factory throughput is to automate. Robots, special machines, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and other equipment can usually do the jobs faster and at less cost.
The Industry 4.0 movement with its Internet of Things (IoT) component is proving that interconnecting the equipment as well as individual sensors and actuators delivers positive improvement in factory processes. Connecting this equipment and devices are multiple networks and fieldbuses. One technology that’s providing this wired connectivity right now at low cost is IO-Link.