Product category:
Safety relays, interlocks, control systems, electrical components
News Release from: Pilz Automation Technology | Subject: PNOZmulti safety controller
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 December 2003
Safety controller simplifies safety
monitoring
Safety controller that monitors safety functions on four laser cutting machines allow changes to be made quickly, without getting involved with the complex software within the machine controller.
Trumpf Systemtechnik in Ditzingen, Germany, uses the PNOZmulti to monitor safety functions on a total of four Lasercell 1005 laser cutting machines that are being manufactured to meet an order from an automotive manufacturer The safety functions were configured with PNOZmulti in order to save wiring and to make the machine controls simpler and more flexible
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 31 May 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Module connects multiple safety controllers
Pilz Automation Technology has introduced a module that enables PNOZmulti safety controllers to be connected together with a single cable in machine control systems.
Safety controller communicates via fieldbus
Exercise demonstrated how easy it is to incorporate a Pilz PNOZmulti safety controller within an automation system based on a Mitsubishi Q-series PLC and a CC-Link industrial fieldbus.
The Trumpf Lasercell 1005 is a modular processing station for laser cutting and welding flat, rotationally symmetrical and three-dimensional workpieces.
Customised handling equipment and clamping technology is used in order to process hydroformed workpieces.
The laser cuts a wide range of holes and contours into the hydroformed twin parts, which are more than four metres in length and are separated into left and right frame parts before unloading.
Further reading
Pilz offers support for installing safety systems
Pilz Automation Technology will assist with installing and commissioning machinery, ensuring that safety-related control systems are properly implemented and tested.
Power press safety standards reviewed
It may be no surprise that there are numerous standards and guidance documents devoted to press safety and knowing one's way around this literature is important.
Operator terminals give intuitive diagnostics
Human machine interfaces range from a compact diagnostic unit for use with Pilz safety-related control systems, to large, powerful units compatible with leading models of PLC.
The four laser cutting stations are fully automatic; the hydroformed parts are loaded and unloaded by conveyor and robot handling systems.
During this process some of the personal safety devices are inactive, as the entire area is surrounded by a safety fence.
However, in set-up mode it is also possible to work with each of the machines independently, in which case all safety devices must be activated.
In the past the machines' safety functions were monitored using conventional safety relays.
To do this it was necessary to wire up all the logic connections.
The objective in using PNOZmulti was to enable additions and modifications to be incorporated more quickly and with little effort, particularly during installation and commissioning.
Key factors in the decision to use PNOZmulti were the modular design and the simple operation of the graphics configuration tool.
The modular structure provides for a rapid, flexible response to any additional customer requirements.
With the PNOZmulti Configurator it is possible to implement changes quickly, without getting involved with the complex software within the machine controller.
This saves time as well as engineering costs, as there is no need to bring in specialists.
The PNOZm1p base unit evaluates all the safety functions in conjunction with the PNOZmi1p and PNOZmo1p input and output expansion modules.
In addition to the classic functions such as emergency stop or safety gate monitoring, the PNOZmulti also monitors the limit switches on six of the seven axes plus all the laser safety functions.
The logic connections were implemented entirely through software, reducing external wiring to a minimum.
Furthermore, the use of test pulse outputs also increased the level of safety in comparison with the conventional solution.
Two PNOZmc1p signal modules are used to communicate with the standard controller.
This means that the switch status of all the connected sensors can easily be signalled directly to the master machine controller without any additional wiring.
As this project was simple to manage and was implemented without any problems, the company has already decided to use the PNOZmulti as the standard safety controller for a new series of 3D laser cutting machines.
More information about the PNOZmulti is available from the 'Products' section of the Pilzsupport web site, or contact the company directly.
• Pilz Automation Technology: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
