Modular Automation Products That Grow with Expanding Needs

Automation solutions are often perceived as complex and costly, a belief that remains widespread among many individuals and organizations. However, advancements in technology have led to the development of increasingly modular and user-friendly solutions. Consequently, automation has become significantly more accessible and easier to implement for small businesses.

The demands placed on modern production processes are constantly growing. Increased efficiency, maximum safety, and seamless quality assurance are buzzwords that everyone is familiar with. However, flexibility for individual adjustments must also be guaranteed. This raises a key question, especially for small and medium-sized companies: How can automation tasks be reliably solved without having to invest in complex customized solutions?

The good news is that automation is no longer a massive undertaking. Most products can be combined to create customized solutions, much like building blocks. One such solution is the Siemens LOGO! LogicModule (Figure 1). It is an excellent entry point into industrial automation and enables simple control tasks to be carried out efficiently. Thanks to its user-friendly programming and flexible expandability, it is ideal for both beginners and experienced users.

Figure 1: The Siemens LOGO! Logic Module: The compact controller for flexible automation solutions. (Image source: Siemens)

Modular design: Automation becomes a building block system

What makes this combination so special is that each component has a clearly defined role, and together they form a powerful, expandable system. The brain of the control system is the LOGO! LogicModule from Siemens. As a compact, powerful logic unit, it intelligently links and controls all the sensors and actuators used. Thanks to simple programming and an integrated web server, the LOGO! LogicModule can be easily adapted and monitored remotely.

The programming of the Siemens LOGO! LogicModule has been deliberately kept simple and is just as modular as the control system's possible applications. Control sequences can be visually assembled using drag-and-drop via the intuitive LOGO! LogicModule Soft Comfort software. Finished function blocks are simply placed on the user interface and connected to each other. This allows users to design their applications without writing any code. Thanks to the integrated web server, commissioning is carried out directly via the browser. Additional parameters can also be configured and monitored here. Changes or extensions to existing programs can thus be made during operation. For even greater flexibility, the controller can also be linked to cloud services. Remote monitoring and real-time data analysis are therefore also possible.

Intelligent sensor technology for efficient production control

The logic unit can be easily expanded with a wide variety of sensors and modules, tailored to individual requirements. If, for example, packaging monitoring in production needs to be automated, sensor solutions from SICK are ideal. With IMX inductive sensors and the SensingCAM SEC100 (Figure 2), monitoring can be easily implemented.

Figure 2: The SensingCAM SEC100 from SICK reliably detects complex features and ensures maximum quality. (Image source: SICK)

SICK's IMX inductive sensors serve as detectors that check the correct position of objects. The sensors provide reliable real-time data on the current status of the production process. In addition, the SensingCAM SEC100 performs visual inspection and detects more complex features such as correct alignment or completeness of the packaging. While the sensors ensure immediate object detection, the camera provides a comprehensive image for quality assurance. The Siemens LOGO! LogicModule handles the central processing of this data. This combination reduces scrap and can be easily integrated into existing packaging lines. However, since it is a modular system, other configurations are also possible with the same units.

Safety system for machines: Enhanced protection with smart sensor technology

Safety is paramount in every production environment. It is particularly important for machines with moving parts that protective covers and safety zones are reliably monitored. This is where the combination of IMX inductive sensors and LOGO! LogicModule comes into play: The sensors check in real time whether, for example, the protective cover is correctly locked or whether a person has entered a hazardous area. As soon as an unsafe condition is detected, LOGO! LogicModule intervenes automatically. It stops the machine immediately, prevents restarting in an unsafe condition, and triggers a warning message if necessary.

The system increases safety for employees, reduces the risk of costly accidents or damage to equipment, and can also be easily retrofitted into existing systems.

From individual solutions to comprehensive automation

What makes this system special is its versatility. As with other modular systems, anyone can expand or adapt the solution. Whether you need to solve simple control tasks or are aiming for comprehensive monitoring of the production line, with LOGO! LogicModule and SICK sensor technology, the automation system grows with your requirements.

Automation has never been easier

With the combination of Siemens LOGO! LogicModule and flexible extensions, smart automation is now within reach for small and medium-sized businesses.

This means that the automation system remains not only technically flexible, but also efficient in implementation. Component availability plays a crucial role in turning plans into a finished solution quickly. This is where a reliable partner like DigiKey comes in handy: Through its close partnerships with well-known manufacturers such as Siemens and SICK, DigiKey ensures that the components you need are available quickly and reliably.

As one of the world's leading distributors of electronic components and automation technology, DigiKey has a warehouse with more than 14.4 million items available immediately. Thanks to state-of-the-art logistics processes and global warehousing, many orders leave the warehouse on the same day. This means that the required components reach production quickly – whether they are individual modules for retrofits or larger quantities for new systems. Direct cooperation with manufacturers also ensures that the latest product generations are always delivered in the best, tested quality.