Innovative Light Curtains From Panasonic

A multitude of complex systems need to be integrated in a production line in order to guarantee the safety of staff. Light curtains play an important role when it comes to protecting humans against moving parts of machines. However, a light curtain alone will not be sufficient. In addition, emergency stop switches and safety door contacts need to be integrated and wired. A safe connection of controllers, motors, and pneumatic equipment make additional safety components necessary. For smaller production plants, the additional time and effort needed for implementing safety measures is relatively high. A smart and innovative solution to this problem can be found in Panasonic”s light curtain SF4C.

Emergency stop switches or safety door switches can be connected directly and without need for a safety PLC to the light curtain. The additional contacts needed for monitoring the power relays can also be connected directly to the light curtain.

Up to now, a total of 6 safety relays were needed to switch off the machine when up to 3 light curtains were mounted in cascade. Thanks to the innovative technology of the SF4C light curtain series only 2 safety relays are needed. This reduces cost and time for wiring.

You can even do without the signal towers normally used in safety-critical plants. The light curtain series SF4C comes with externally controlled, highly visible red, yellow, and gree LED signal lamps.

The SF4C series has safety class 4 (PLe, SIL3) and a beam pitch of 10 and 20mm. A protective height ofup to 640mm can be achieved. Additional advantages of the innovative light curtains of the SF4C series: muting, fixed and floating blanking, extraneous light check & avoid function (ELCA), a very low weight thanks to a polycarbonate housing, an integrated error display, and password protection.

E-mail: Info.pewuk@eu.panasonic.com Web: www.panasonic-electric-works.co.uk