Automation Engineering  ·  May 2025  ·  8 min read

ODOT B32 / B64 BOXIO — Small Box, Big Reach

How a palm-sized integrated I/O module punches way above its weight — running solo on small machines or scaling up as distributed I/O across an entire production floor.

ODOT B32/B64 BOXIO — integrated I/O module with COMM board and spring-clamp terminals

Why Size Still Matters in I/O

Not every automation task needs a full-blown remote I/O rack. Sometimes you have a small conveyor section, a compact test rig, a pump skid, or a cabinet with space measured in centimetres — and you still need reliable digital and analog I/O with industrial-grade fieldbus connectivity. That is exactly the problem the ODOT B-Series BOXIO was designed to solve.

The B32 and B64 are modular integrated I/O systems packed into a surprisingly compact DIN-rail housing. Everything — power supply, communication board, and I/O modules — snaps together on an internal backplane inside a single rugged box. No separate coupler. No external bus cables between modules. Just one tight unit that gets the job done.

Tiny Footprint — Real Dimensions

Size is where the BOXIO truly stands out. The B32 housing with wiring terminals measures just 110 × 100 × 28 mm. That is smaller than most smartphones. The B64 adds a taller enclosure and larger LCD display but remains impressively compact for what it delivers.

Parameter	Value
B32 housing (with terminals)	110 × 100 × 28 mm
B32 slots	1 × COMM board + 2 × I/O slots
B64 slots	1 × COMM board + 4 × I/O slots
Max channels per slot	16 channels
Max B32 channels	32 (2 × 16)
Max B64 channels	64 (4 × 16)
Mounting	35 mm DIN-rail
Supply voltage	24 VDC

DIN-rail mounting with a spring-loaded locking mechanism means installation is quick, reliable, and requires no tools. It fits comfortably in the smallest control cabinet alongside a power supply and a few breakers — nothing more.

Protocol Flexibility — Plug In Your PLC

The communication board is a hot-swap choice. You pick the protocol that matches your controller, and the rest of the system stays the same. This is a huge advantage in mixed environments where you might have Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi PLCs on the same floor. Supported protocols include:

• Modbus-RTU
• Modbus-TCP
• PROFINET
• EtherCAT
• EtherNet/IP
• PROFIBUS-DP
• CANopen
• CC-Link
• PowerLink

The Ethernet-based boards (Modbus-TCP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP) feature a dual-port switch, enabling daisy-chain or line topology without an external switch — which is critical for distributed I/O installations where you want to minimise cabling cost.

Standalone Use — Independent and Self-Sufficient

One of the most practical aspects of the BOXIO is that it can operate as a completely standalone controller interface. Pair it with a small PLC (including ODOT's own Codesys-based PLC), connect sensors and actuators, configure communication over Modbus-RTU or Modbus-TCP, and you have a fully functional control node.

Applications that benefit from this standalone mode include:

• Pump and valve skids — monitor pressure, temperature, flow and control solenoid valves, all in one box mounted on the skid itself.
• Compact machines — small packaging machines, test benches, and assembly cells with limited cabinet space and a fixed I/O count.
• Environmental monitoring — temperature, humidity, and analog sensor acquisition in building automation or cold-chain tracking.
• Energy sub-metering — analog input channels for current transformers and voltage sensing, reported over Modbus-TCP to a SCADA system.

The built-in LCD display lets you read communication parameters, I/O channel status, and firmware version directly on the device — no laptop needed for quick diagnostics on the shop floor.

Distributed I/O — Where the BOXIO Really Shines

BOXIO nodes deployed in a distributed I/O topology — field-mounted close to the process, connected via a single Ethernet daisy-chain

Small size and multi-protocol support make the BOXIO an excellent candidate for distributed I/O architectures. Instead of routing dozens of sensor cables back to a central cabinet, you mount a BOXIO right next to the process — on a conveyor section, at the end of a robot cell, or on a machine sub-frame — and run a single Ethernet cable back to the PLC.

This approach delivers well-known benefits: shorter cable runs, faster fault isolation, easier expansion, and cleaner cabinet layouts. The dual Ethernet port on the COMM board means you can chain multiple BOXIO units in a line topology without any additional switching hardware.

Standalone vs. Distributed — Side by Side

I/O Module Types Available

The internal I/O slots accept six categories of modules, giving you complete flexibility in signal types per application:

• Digital Input (DI) — Up to 16 channels per slot, 24 VDC source and sink. Ideal for pushbuttons, proximity sensors, and limit switches.
• Digital Output (DO) — Relay or transistor outputs. Control solenoids, indicator lights, motor starters, and contactors.
• Analog Input (AI) — 0–10 V, 0/4–20 mA, ±20 mA, 15-bit resolution. Single-ended and differential configurations.
• Analog Output (AO) — Voltage and current output for drives, control valves, and proportional actuators.
• Temperature / TC / RTD — PT100, PT1000 (15-bit) and thermocouple inputs (24-bit). Direct sensor connection, no transmitter needed.
• Encoder / Special — Incremental A/B encoder input, pulse-direction mode, x1/x2/x4 multiplication. Built-in 24 V encoder power supply.

Compatible With Your Existing PLC Brand

Because the COMM board speaks standard industrial protocols, the BOXIO integrates natively with controllers from all major vendors without custom drivers or gateways:

• Siemens S7 / TIA Portal
• Omron NX / NJ
• Mitsubishi iQ-R / iQ-F
• Rockwell ControlLogix / CompactLogix
• Beckhoff TwinCAT
• Keyence KV
• Delta DVP / AS
• Any Codesys-based soft PLC

This makes the BOXIO a natural choice for integrators who work across multiple customer sites with different installed PLC bases — one I/O hardware platform, many communication options.

Conclusion

The ODOT B32/B64 BOXIO is a deceptively capable piece of hardware. At 110 mm wide it fits where other I/O systems simply cannot, yet it supports the full range of industrial protocols, six I/O signal types, and up to 64 channels in a single unit. Whether you need a tidy standalone node for a small machine or a distributed I/O satellite in a larger PROFINET or EtherCAT network, the BOXIO delivers without compromise.

The modular COMM board means you are never locked into a single protocol, and the built-in LCD keeps diagnostics accessible without a laptop. For small applications it is cost-effective. For distributed architectures it is scalable. In both cases, it is simply the right tool for the job.

Source: odotautomation.com  ·  Article for informational purposes  ·  2025