TURCK BL67 Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

TURCK BL67 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The TURCK BL67 is a modular, distributed I/O system engineered for installation in the field — directly at the machine or process level — without requiring a control cabinet. It is deployed extensively across global heavy industry sectors including petrochemical plants, oil refineries, offshore platforms, automotive assembly lines, and nuclear facility auxiliary systems. The BL67 platform operates on a passive backplane bus architecture, allowing modules to be hot-swapped without powering down the gateway or fieldbus segment. Its IP67-rated housing eliminates the need for enclosures in most industrial environments, reducing installation cost and footprint. The system supports all major fieldbus and industrial Ethernet protocols through interchangeable gateway modules, making it a long-lifecycle platform that has remained in active deployment since its introduction in the early 2000s.

The Evolution of BL67 Architecture

The BL67 platform was introduced by TURCK as a successor to earlier distributed I/O concepts that required cabinet-mounted terminal blocks and separate field junction boxes. The original BL67 architecture centered on DeviceNet and PROFIBUS-DP gateways, reflecting the dominant fieldbus standards of the early 2000s. As industrial Ethernet protocols gained adoption, TURCK expanded the gateway portfolio to include PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, and CANopen variants — all sharing the same backplane and I/O module ecosystem.

A key architectural decision was the separation of the fieldbus gateway from the I/O modules via a standardized internal bus. This allowed end users to migrate from one fieldbus protocol to another by replacing only the gateway module, preserving the existing I/O wiring and module investment. This design philosophy has extended the operational life of BL67 installations well beyond typical PLC generation cycles. Many BL67 systems installed in the 2005–2012 period remain in active production service, supported by TURCK's long-term spare parts commitment and third-party distributors such as DriveKNMS.

The BL67 series is now considered a mature platform. TURCK's current generation distributed I/O strategy centers on the TBEN series (Ethernet-native, IO-Link capable), but BL67 remains fully supported for maintenance and spare parts procurement. For facilities with existing BL67 infrastructure, migration to TBEN requires gateway replacement and potential I/O rewiring — a significant capital project that most operators defer in favor of lifecycle extension through spare parts sourcing.

BL67 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Gateway / Interface Modules

• BL67-GW-DN: DeviceNet gateway, master/slave, 125/250/500 kbps, up to 64 I/O modules per node
• BL67-GW-DP: PROFIBUS-DP gateway, slave mode, up to 12 Mbps, GSD file configurable
• BL67-GW-EN: EtherNet/IP gateway, 10/100 Mbps, dual-port switch, DLR ring topology support
• BL67-GW-PN: PROFINET IO gateway, RT/IRT capable, GSDML configurable, MRP ring support
• BL67-GW-MODTCP: Modbus TCP gateway, server/client mode, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
• BL67-GW-CO: CANopen gateway, DS301/DS401 compliant, up to 1 Mbps

Digital Input Modules

• BL67-8DI-PD: 8-channel digital input, PNP/NPN selectable, M12 connectors, 24 VDC
• BL67-16DI-PD: 16-channel digital input, PNP, M8 connectors, 24 VDC, high-density
• BL67-4DI-PD-2A: 4-channel digital input, 2A sensor supply per channel, M12
• BL67-8DI-PD-4A: 8-channel digital input, 4A total sensor supply, M12, IP67

Digital Output Modules

• BL67-8DO-0.5A: 8-channel digital output, PNP, 0.5A per channel, M12, short-circuit protected
• BL67-8DO-2A: 8-channel digital output, PNP, 2A per channel, M12, high-current actuator drive
• BL67-4DO-2A: 4-channel digital output, 2A per channel, M12, valve/solenoid control
• BL67-4DIO-PD: 4-channel configurable DI/DO, PNP, M12, flexible mixed I/O applications

Analog Modules

• BL67-2AI-I: 2-channel analog input, 0–20 mA / 4–20 mA, 12-bit resolution, M12
• BL67-2AO-I: 2-channel analog output, 0–20 mA / 4–20 mA, 12-bit, M12, process control
• BL67-2AI-PT/NI: 2-channel RTD input, PT100/PT1000/Ni100/Ni1000, temperature measurement

Power Feed Modules

• BL67-PF-24VDC-D: Power feed module, 24 VDC, separates power segments within BL67 station

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete BL67 Parts

The BL67 series entered its mature lifecycle phase approximately 2015–2018 as TURCK transitioned its primary development focus to the TBEN and FEN20 platforms. While TURCK continues to manufacture and support BL67 modules, lead times for specific SKUs — particularly legacy gateway variants such as the BL67-GW-DN (DeviceNet) and BL67-GW-CO (CANopen) — have extended as production volumes decline relative to newer platforms.

Quality Control for the BL67 Range

BL67 modules present specific test challenges due to their integrated backplane bus connector and protocol-specific gateway firmware. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all BL67 units prior to shipment:

• Backplane bus continuity test: Verifies all internal bus pins on the module connector against TURCK's published pinout specification. Damaged or corroded bus contacts are the primary failure mode for field-returned BL67 modules.
• Gateway protocol handshake verification: Each gateway module (GW-DN, GW-DP, GW-EN, GW-PN) is connected to a live fieldbus segment and verified to complete the network initialization sequence, including node address assignment and I/O data exchange.
• I/O channel functional test: All digital and analog I/O channels are individually stimulated and verified against the module's datasheet specification. Analog modules are calibrated against a traceable reference instrument.
• IP67 seal inspection: M12 connector seals and housing gaskets are visually inspected. Units with compromised seals are either resealed with OEM-specification gaskets or rejected.
• Firmware version logging: Gateway firmware version is recorded and disclosed in the shipment documentation. Customers requiring specific firmware versions for compatibility with existing TURCK configuration tools are accommodated on request.