Serial Server Connects Multiple Devices

Helping meet Industry 4.0's demand for heightened visibility is the launch of the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, an enterprise-scale, out-of-the-box solution that conveniently integrates a RS-232/422/485 serial device server, a Wi-Fi client/bridge, and multiple digital I/O's into a single compact device. Deploying the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O empowers plant managers to wirelessly connect machinery to an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n network for the collection, remote monitoring, and analyzing of real-time visual insights on machine performance to ensure optimal manufacturing performance.

The NPort IAW5000A-6I/O delivers a significant advantage through its versatility. Any RS-232/422/485 serial or Ethernet device in the field can be linked to a wireless device. In addition, its multiple digital I/O's make the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O ideal for industrial data acquisition where dividends are paid in heightened efficiency, reduced production downtime, and lower overall costs. Also, because it supports baudrates between 50 and 921.6 kbps, the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O ensures reliable connectivity to the widest range of devices.

Overall Equipment Effectiveness or "OEE" is a key operational metric that helps plant managers monitor the performance of particular machines or production lines. Despite the numerous gains realized through Industry 4.0 technology, OEE remains stagnant at 60 % or less for the majority of global manufacturers. The NPort IAW5000A-6I/O can help boost underperforming OEE by providing real-time visibility into machine status, allowing a plant manager to accurately adjust the production schedule for improved optimization and decreased overhead costs.

Gone are the days of spending the time to configure three different devices, going back and forth between different vendors for technical support, and buying different spare parts to maintain the different devices. With the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, all three critical functions -- RS-232/422/485 serial device server, Wi-Fi client/bridge and digital I/O -- are integrated so that installation, troubleshooting and maintenance costs are dramatically reduced when compared to using two or three separate devices. 

Additionally, the space-saving 3-in-1 design makes the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O ideal for refurbishment of older machinery, which typically have space limitations, especially when a variety of machines have already been installed. Moxa's integrated 3-in-1 solution also decreases design time, both for installation and maintenance, when compared to implementing after-market solutions from multiple suppliers.

A major threat thwarted by the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O is damage from power surges. Devices installed in industrial environments experience a high risk of surge due to electromagnetic pulses produced from motors switching on and off. The NPort IAW5000A-6I/O Series offers 4 kV surge protection for serial lines to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes and to damp out electrical noise.