Ifm electronic has developed an inline device that stores data and parameters from IO-Link compatible sensors, allowing the data to be cloned to other sensors before they are installed. The “memory plug” can also be installed outside a critical plant area so that if a sensor inside the area is destroyed, its replacement can be set up rapidly.

The device (shown above) exchanges data automatically with the sensor and if the sensor parameters change, it updates itself. There is no communication while a machine is running.

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