Empack 2023: Bihl and Wiedemann display ASi-5 streamline data

07 Apr 2023 --- Bihl and Wiedemann presented its latest innovation in actuator sensor interface (ASi), the ASi-5 at Empack 2023, April 5-6, in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. The company says  the ASi-5 is “the globally standardized fieldbus system for the first level of automation.”

On the event floor, PackagingInsights speaks to Ruben Palsgraaf, sales engineer for the Netherlands at Bihl and Wiedeman. “We are showcasing our products, hardware product solutions for logistics, material handling, and also for functional safety solutions.”

“At the moment, these products are the next generation of our former product line, which was ASi-3 and now we have the ASi-5.”

Faster data collection
ASi connects sensors and actuators to a controller via a single two-core profile cable. Power and data are transmitted simultaneously on the yellow ASi cable. 

Bihl and Wiedemann says the ASi reduces wiring effort, frees choice of topology and creates cost-effective integration of safety on the same infrastructure. Additionally, unlike other fieldbus systems, ASi does not require connectors for data and energy connection.

Palsgraaf says that the big difference between the ASi-3 and the ASi-5 is that it can handle more data quickly. “That means that we can solve more technology, more smart input-output (IO), with the same technology that we have used before.”

The company also states that ASi-5 transmits analog values quickly and intelligent sensors can be integrated more efficiently than ever, such as IO-Link sensors with up to 32 bytes.

Ruben Palsgraaf, sales engineer for the Netherlands at Bihl and Wiededman.Cost-efficient cabling
Bihl and Wiedemann assert that with ASi-5, more significant amounts of data can be transferred much faster due to the high data width and short cycle times – which are comparable to Ethernet systems. 

“The difference between our competitors or other components in the market is that they are Ethernet-based. We have a cost-efficient way of cabling. That means our cabling system is easy to mount and easy to extend. It is also easy to mount IO models compared to Ethernet-based systems,” Palsgraaf tells us.

The ASi-5 modules allow for many IO’s to be collected quickly in one place, which the company says generates a cost-effective alternative to other fieldbus solutions.

“At the moment, there is a significant demand to measure a lot of extra data into the packaging industry,” he continues.

Energy crisis aid
Palsgraaf states that there is also demand in the industry to reduce energy consumption. To do so, companies must compile considerable amounts of data to reduce their energy consumption numbers properly. 

Palsgraaf says that Bihl and Wiedemann have “smart solutions to gather this information and bring it to a cloud platform, for example.”

Europe has been facing an energy crisis, with gas prices rising since the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, many companies across sectors, including the packaging industry, have been searching for ways to reduce their energy usage. 

While the company’s machinery is not energy-reducing, it can collect the data necessary for companies to reduce the energy use of their machinery. 

“We are able to measure, for example, temperature or cycle times or other information and with this information, the customer can gather a lot of info to look into the installation, look into their machine, and [identify where they] can reduce some energy or where they have to to change something to reduce energy,” Palsgraaf concludes. 

By: Sabine Waldeck

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