TURCK announces their new BL67 system I/O.  The BL67 solution combines all the flexibility of in the cabinet PLC I/O systems with modularity, ruggedness, and connectorization.  The BL67 product family complements exiting AIM™, BL20, and piconet® products to meet the needs of unique applications, such as small machine or conveyor systems requiring IP67 protection.

The BL67 system is made up of a gateway, base modules, and electronic modules.  The I/O modules are not dependent on the fieldbus protocol.  The gateway coordinates the entire I/O data exchange and generates detailed diagnostic information for the control platform.  Gateways are currently available for DeviceNet™ and PROFIBUS®-DP.  The BL67 system also offers group, connector, channel and module diagnostic information.  

The BL67 system size allows up to 32 electronic modules, up to 256 digital or 64 analogue I/O, up to 3 feet long, and is DIN rail or flange mountable.  Electronic modules are available in digital, analogue, temperature, RS232/485, and more, with 2, 4 or 8 channels.  Electronic modules are replaceable without removing I/O wiring and are colour coded for easy identification.  A mechanical key matches an electronic module to a particular base module, preventing insertion of an incorrect electronic module.  The power distribution module supplies 24VDC to the electronic modules and can create isolated groups of I/O.  The base modules are available with eurofast®, minifast® and picofast connectors.  Connectorization eliminates wiring errors and reduces wiring time and cost.    

The IOassistant  software is available for the BL67 system.  The software includes engineering, parameter set-up, documentation, commissioning, and diagnostic function for online or offline usage.  Although the IOassistant is not required to setup a BL67 system, system engineers agree it makes their job easier.  The IOassistant is free of charge and can also be used for the BL20 and piconetI/O systems.