General digital inputs/outputs

The I/O ports IO1 through IO6 on the control unit are intended for general-purpose digital inputs and outputs (GPIO).

Illustration 42: Overview of the pins on the GPIO connecting blocks

Terminal blocks IO1 through IO3 have only output pins, while blocks IO4 through IO6 have only input pins. The specifications in Specifications for all digital I/Os must be followed.

The general-purpose I/O ports can be used to directly drive devices such as pneumatic valves, relays, etc. They can also be used to control end effectors (grippers, welding devices, etc.) or other peripheral devices. All digital outputs retain their previous values unless they are changed and their status may change when an emergency stop is triggered. The following is an example of how to connect a button to input I1:

Illustration 43: Connecting a button to pin I1

Any combination of an input and a 24 V connection from one of the three input blocks can be used.

Communication with the PLC of a machine

The control unit can be connected to other devices through general I/O blocks (see General digital inputs/outputs and the following figure) or via the peripheral Ethernet. To connect the PLC of a machine to the I/O blocks, wire it to an available input and/or output, as well as the 24 V and ground connections. It is important to note that the systems must share a common ground potential. Without a correct potential reference, proper functionality cannot be guaranteed.

Illustration 44: Example of a connection between machines with the same ground. A and B represent different I/O blocks of the machine