About Bihl+Wiedemann
Industrial Automation Fieldbus & IO-Link Solutions
Bihl+Wiedemann GmbH, based in Mannheim, Germany, specializes in IO-Link masters, ASi (Actuator-Sensor Interface) system components, and multi-protocol fieldbus gateways that bridge legacy and modern industrial automation architectures. Their product portfolio serves as the bridge layer between individual smart sensors/actuators and distributed control systems, offering low-cost, standardized connectivity for applications from simple machine-tool automation to complex Industry 4.0 environments.
The company's flagship IO-Link product family includes low-cost masters with 1, 2, 4, and 8-port configurations, each supporting IO-Link class A devices (24V supply per port plus standardized 3-wire or 5-pin connector). The ASi-5 module BWU4386 extends this with eight IO-Link master ports plus simultaneous standard I/O signal output, enabling mixed-protocol communication (IO-Link + traditional discrete signals) on a single gateway. All masters interface seamlessly with PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, and PROFIBUS DP at the upper level, eliminating vendor lock-in.
Bihl+Wiedemann holds triple ISO certification (ISO 9001 quality, ISO 14001 environmental, ISO 50001 energy) and their ASi-5 Safety platform is externally certified to ISO 13849-1 PLe (Performance Level e) and IEC 61508/62061 SIL3 (Safety Integrity Level 3) standards, enabling safety-critical sensor integration without additional hardwired safety relays. Their CIP Safety protocol layer operates over standard Ethernet, removing the need for extra wiring or standalone safety controllers.
Core industries served include automotive assembly (OEM fastener torque-monitoring and vision-guided pick-and-place), pharmaceutical manufacturing (sensor validation for aseptic fill-finish lines), food processing (weight-check and metal-detect integration), and renewable energy (wind-turbine nacelle sensors and brake-pressure monitoring). Bihl+Wiedemann's modular approach—swap a gateway card or IO-Link master module without re-engineering the entire PLC logic—has made ASi and IO-Link adoption standard in retrofit and greenfield automation projects.
ChatMRO instantly connects you to the exact IO-Link master port count, safety certification level, and fieldbus protocol (PROFINET, EtherCAT, PROFIBUS) your machine control requires. Describe your sensor type, automation tier, and protocol constraint; ChatMRO surfaces Bihl+Wiedemann gateways, competitors like Beckhoff and Siemens, and complete replacement IO-Link port cards from 30M+ indexed parts in seconds, eliminating weeks of distributor lead-time and integration risk.
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Frequently asked questions
Does IO-Link replace fieldbus networks like PROFINET or EtherCAT?
No—IO-Link complements fieldbus by operating at the sensor/actuator layer (point-to-point 24V master-to-device), while PROFINET/EtherCAT operate at the machine control layer (multiple masters coordinating on shared Ethernet). Bihl+Wiedemann gateways bridge both: IO-Link masters plug into fieldbus gateway cards, so one Bihl+Wiedemann module handles 8 smart sensors sending diagnostic data over PROFINET to your PLC, eliminating separate sensor-wiring harnesses and reducing integration complexity.
Are Bihl+Wiedemann ASi-5 modules compatible with older ASi-3 sensors?
Yes, ASi-5 gateways (e.g., BWU1642) are backward-compatible with legacy ASi-3 devices; Bihl+Wiedemann supports a mixed-generation topology where newer ASi-5 safety modules coexist with older sensors. However, to achieve PLe/SIL3 certification, ALL safety-relevant devices in the network must be ASi-5 rated; hybrid networks revert to ASi-3 safety performance levels unless safety devices are retrofitted with ASi-5 versions.
What's the maximum cable run from an IO-Link master to a sensor?
Bihl+Wiedemann IO-Link masters support up to 20 meters of standard M12 A-coded shielded cable per port (per IO-Link specification), with optional extenders (IO-Link repeaters) extending range to 40+ meters in harsh environments. For longer distances or noisy environments (e.g., AC motor drives nearby), use shielded twisted-pair cable and ground the shield at the master end only to avoid ground loops.
Can I use Bihl+Wiedemann gateways with non-Bihl+Wiedemann IO-Link sensors?
Yes—Bihl+Wiedemann IO-Link masters are certified device-independent; they work with any IO-Link sensor rated as class A or class B (e.g., IFM, Balluff, Banner, Sick sensors). Verify the sensor's IO-Link version (1.0, 1.1, 2.0) matches or is lower than your gateway version for full feature compatibility; some advanced diagnostics (parameter sets, safety signatures) may not transfer to older sensors.
What's the difference between PLe and SIL3 certification, and which do I need?
PLe (Performance Level e) per ISO 13849-1 is the machinery safety standard used in CE-marked equipment; SIL3 (Safety Integrity Level 3) per IEC 61508 applies to functional safety in general industrial control systems. Bihl+Wiedemann ASi-5 is certified to both: if your application is a CE-marked machine (e.g., industrial press, conveyor), reference PLe; if it's a standalone control system or subsystem safety audit, reference SIL3. Most European machine builders now require PLe certification.