Application of Solidot PROFINET remote I/O module in cold chain three-dimensional warehousing

Over the three years of fighting and controlling COVID-19, emergency response work has captured public attention wherever outbreaks occurred. Beyond this, ensuring the supply of goods has also drawn increasing concern. On one hand, difficulties in buying groceries have driven up residents' demand for fresh food; on the other hand, against the backdrop of the pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccine and nucleic acid testing industries have developed rapidly, causing a surge in demand for pharmaceutical cold chain logistics. As a key link in pandemic prevention, cold chain logistics has become increasingly important.

In cold chain logistics workflows, long-distance cold chain conveyor belts require the collection of numerous input and output signals. Since different stations of the equipment serve different functions, signal acquisition presents its own pain points at each stage. This article uses the practical application of Shidian Technology's PROFINET Protocol remote I/O modules as a case study, focusing on the configuration of a standalone four-way shuttle car and a cold storage production line. It fully demonstrates the flexibility of Shidian Technology's Slice I/O and the comprehensiveness of its Integrated I/O, both of which serve as indispensable "bridges" in complex and ever-changing industrial sites, as well as reliable pioneers that deliver high-quality solutions to customers by extending insights from individual points to the whole picture.

Application of Shidian Technology's PROFINET Protocol products in cold chain logistics sorting equipment

Common equipment includes telescopic conveyors, flat conveyors, incline conveyors, lifters, weighing belt conveyors, barcode scanning belt conveyors, pallet sorters, robotic palletizers, AGVs, RGV rail-guided vehicles, and four-way shuttle cars. The "brain" of this equipment mainly uses Siemens 1516 PLCs, while standalone four-way shuttle cars use 1215 PLCs, with remote I/O solutions provided by Shidian Technology's PROFINET Protocol remote I/O modules.

For standalone equipment with relatively few I/O points, such as four-way shuttle cars, main cabinets, lifters, and RGV carts, the site adopted an Integrated I/O module PN4-2408BW. Specifically: the WCS system, serving as the "core brain" of the warehousing equipment, dispatches tasks to the 1516 PLC. The 1516 PLC then communicates intelligently via wireless signals with the 1215 PLCs of 20 four-way shuttle cars. The latter collect photoelectric information from the shuttle cars through Shidian Technology's remote I/O module PN4-2408BW, thereby determining the cargo status and driving the shuttle cars to move.

▲ PN4-2408BW

For other equipment on-site that requires the collection of numerous input and output signals, Shidian Technology's Slice I/O modules were used instead. Specifically: the XB6-PN2002ST, which integrates a power supply and coupler, is paired with XB6-1600B, XB6-3200B, XB6-0016BW, and PN4-0032BW. In addition, electrical engineers can freely assemble I/O modules according to actual site conditions, offering flexibility and convenience.

Shidian Technology remote I/O PLC program configuration diagram

Description of the automated electrical control configuration principle for intelligent cold chain logistics automated warehousing:

(1) The cold chain logistics automation site requires the collection of a large number of photoelectric signals; photoelectric signal feedback reveals the cargo information on the conveyor.

(2) The variable frequency and contactor control signals for the long-distance cold chain belt conveyor are all controlled by Output Signal.

(3) Signals such as emergency stop, proximity switches, limit switches, safety light curtains, button boxes, and Indicators are all I/O signals.

Simply add Shidian Technology's PROFINET Protocol GSD file in the TIA Portal software, and configuration becomes very convenient. Below is the Wiring diagram for the PN4-2408BW module:

Introduction to Shidian Technology's PROFINET Protocol products

In the aforementioned cold chain automated warehousing application, signals such as the photoelectric detection signals of the conveyor belt, the equipment-in-position signals of the lifter, safety signals, and control cabinet control signals all need to be collected. Using Shidian Technology's PROFINET Protocol remote I/O not only resolves customer pain points but also, thanks to the product's outstanding design and performance, endows the solution with both flexibility and stability.

As a well-known domestic automation service provider, Shidian Technology has an early foothold, solid foundation, and comprehensive product range in the domestic remote I/O field. The Integrated I/O module PN4-2408BW and Slice I/O module XB6-PN2002ST used in this case are both independently developed. The former is designed for small equipment with fewer I/O points, while the latter addresses the need for flexible combinations with a large number of points—both are classic products with an excellent reputation across the industry.

Over the years, Shidian Technology has consistently centered its business on industrial bus technology, offering better cost-effectiveness and shorter delivery times, thereby delivering sustained value to its customers. These high-quality products and cases not only showcase Shidian Technology's years of accumulated expertise, but also reflect the company's technical foundation in staying closely attuned to the pulse of the times and standing at the forefront of the industrial digitalization trend.