In this issue:
• Biomedical millirobot for targeted drug delivery
• Tech Tip: Easily Apply IO-Link for Position Sensors
• Application: Controlling Smart Gate Valves
• and more

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Featured video: Origami millirobots bring health care closer to precisely targeted drug delivery

There are times when technical advances in an area unrelated to the industrial market can be applied or leveraged to solving an industrial problem. New technology ideas can inspire other problem solving ideas too.

With this in mind, a fingertip-sized robot that Stanford calls a millirobot is demonstrated in three videos and described below. Engineer Renee Zhao is leading a team at Stanford in this new development.

These millirobots have three modes of movement: crawling, spinning and pumping. The method of propulsion is through torque generated by magnetic fields. A user can control the way the millirobots move by altering the orientation and strength of the magnetic fields. "A single shift in magnetic strength and orientation can move the millirobot a distance of 10 times its size," according to an article by Ashley Belanger.

A second video demonstrating how the millirobot's beveled-spiral shape provides propeller-like propulsion can be viewed here. Additionally, according Zhao in Belanger's article, "this design induces a negative pressure in the robot for fast swimming and meanwhile provides suction for cargo pickup and transportation. We take full advantage of the geometric features of this small robot and explore that single structure for different applications and for different functions."

Finally, a third video shows more details about the millirobot's variable pumping action for delivery of different dosages and is shown here.

Sources:
1) Ruike Renee Zhao, quoted, is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University and Director of Stanford's Soft Intelligent Materials Lab
2) https://news.stanford.edu/2022/06/14/tiny-robots-precision-drug-delivery/
 

IO-Link is an open-standard serial communication protocol which means no individual company or entity has the right to exclude anyone else—it is open for all to use. The practical result of this is you can specify an IO-Link part and use it with any other part, even from another company, as long as it confirms to the standard. It is used to transfer data and communicate other information.

It enables sensors, actuators and other devices to connect to a network and provides fieldbus functionality but is point-to-point communication, so it not classified as a fieldbus.

Communication to a master device is bi-directional and the IO-Link master can transmit this data over various networks, fieldbuses or backplane buses, making the data accessible for PLCs and HMI.

Why choose to use IO-Link Technology

Here’s a list of benefits followed by a brief explanation: • Increased productivity through increased up time • Easier design, set up and maintenance • Increased flexibility • Better scalability • Lower inventory and operating costs • Plug ‘n play operation

IO-link technology increases productivity and uptime because it includes diagnostic information that reports whether a sensor is functioning or in need of replacement. This means users don't have to check every sensor in a system if a problem occurs.

By using simple 3-wire connectivity that does not have to go all the way to a PLC from a sensor, IO-Link devices are easier to set up and maintain. This method of connectivity employs an analog to IO-Link converter. Alternatively, a position sensor with a 4-wire IO-Link compatible output uses power, ground and a C/Q control for signal and switching.

IO-Link can handle thousands of devices from more than 150 manufacturers on one cable. The bi-directional data also permits adjusting the sensor from the controller. The protocol allows for cyclic and acyclic service-data communication, separately from process data communication. These features greatly increase flexibility and scalability.

Because IO-Link sensors can function like traditional 3-wire sensors when not connected to IOLink systems, the same part can be stocked for other applications, lowering inventory costs. Several of the features described in the preceding paragraphs can lower operating costs as well.

One really nice feature IO-Link provides is that by using a unique identifier for each device, it can store each sensor’s configuration values in an IO-Link master. This means that if a sensor needs to be replaced, when the new one is plugged in, it is automatically programmed to the stored setting values and ready to go.

Among the sensors Novotechnik offers, one excellent example of an IO-Link device is the RFC 4800. View the manual and specifications for the RFC 4800 here.

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