Safety mats, edges, and bumpers are used to protect people and machinery from harm. Mats detect the presence of personnel on horizontal surfaces (usually the floor); edges can be used on any surface, usually near possible crushing or shearing points; and bumpers are used in applications involving vehicles or other moving equipment.
Diamond plate safety mats are available in 24 x 36 and 24 x 48-inch sizes with a diamond plate aluminum surface for heavy industry applications, steel wheel carts, and similar equipment. They can survive welding debris, hot parts, metal chips, and foundry splatter.
Safety edges with 15 x 10-mm profiles are factory assembled in 12 edge lengths from 4 inches to 4 feet. Mounting rails and end caps are included and are factory installed. Unassembled safety edges with 15 x 25-mm profiles are available in 2- and 5-foot lengths. Safety bumpers with 60 x 100-mm profiles are available in five lengths and include mounting rails. Safety bumpers are insensitive to vibration, wire the same as safety edges, and are used in standard safety edge applications and other transport vehicle and industrial fork truck applications. AutomationDirect www.automationdirect.com/
Safety switch for doors and more
The PSRswitch safety switch is for smart door safety and position monitoring in machines and assembly lines. When combined with the PSR-MC42 PSRmini safety relay, machine builders can use IO-Link diagnostics to adapt their safety system for an Industrial Internet of Things–enabled future. Capable of connecting up to 30 sensors in a series while achieving SIL 3/PLe, the safety switch provides an RFID, noncontact safety door switch system with M12 connections. It can be connected in a series with Y distributors, bridge plugs, and SAC cabling. The PSRswitch is suitable for small-to-midsize machines, conveyor systems, or robot manufacturing cells with multiple access doors or maintenance panels that require safe shutdown of stored hazardous energy. Phoenix Contact www.phoenixcontact.com
Explosion-proof receptacle with disconnect switch
An explosion-proof receptacle with a disconnect switch for use in Class I, Divisions 1 and 2 hazardous locations provides a secure power connection for portable or stationary electrical equipment in flammable locations. The EPO-100A-PS receptacle is 100-amp rated and has a housing made of copper-free aluminum with an epoxy powder coated finish. The housing has room for wiring and two tapped NPT conduit openings at the top and bottom of the unit. It has receptacle contacts that are deeply recessed to avoid accidental contact and an interlocked safety switch that allows safe connection and disconnection within hazardous locations. It is made of nonsparking aluminum and plug contacts. This three-wire, four-pole unit has an integral interlocking nonfused motor circuit switch for safe connection and disconnection. This unit is rated 600V AC (max) and 250V DC (max) and rated at 100 amps. Larson Electronics www.larsonelectronics.com
Safety I/O modules
These safety I/O modules can meet the needs of producers in process and heavy industries that require fixed field-wiring terminations or both vertical and horizontal I/O mounting in their distributed safety applications. They have safety reaction times as fast as 4.5 milliseconds to help designers create smaller smart machines and equipment. They also have diagnostics to help users identify faults based on real-time data. The modules are TÜV certified for use in fail-safe applications up to SIL 3 and PLe, Category 4. They can be directly connected to copper and fiber networks. Rockwell Automation www.rockwellautomation.com
Virtual sensor for servo drives
The company has developed a virtual sensor for its ACOPOS P3 servo drive, the Safe Speed Observer. It determines speed in accordance with SIL 2/PL d/CAT 3 requirements, eliminating the need for a safe encoder. From the electrical variables of a permanent magnet synchronous motor, the device calculates two redundant models of the motor, achieving a safety level for the calculated speed. The virtual sensor can be used for both linear and rotary synchronous motors. The observer is configured in the Automation Studio engineering environment via the respective encoder interface. The user can implement the safety functions available for the safe axis from the safety library. B&R www.br-automation.com
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