IS & Ex


Safety light curtain made simple

September 2016 IS & Ex

The introduction of the deTec4 Core and deTec2 Core safety light curtains has made protecting hazardous points and access points easier than ever. Now, the newest member of the family, the deTec4 Prime, is taking this technology one step further.

The new deTec4 Prime safety light curtain builds upon the successful concept of the deTec4 Core. At the same time, it combines the features of existing light curtain variants in one device and adds even newer functionalities. All of this in the compact, space saving design of the Core version.

Easily configurable and rugged design

Thanks to a simple cloning plug design, the basic variants can be configured to suit the application requirements using four interchangeable plugs. Inserting the plug is all it takes: The deTec4 Prime then switches to detection mode and the operator confirms the change, establishing the configuration. The deTec4 safety light curtains are electro-sensitive protective devices that comply with performance level ‘e’ in accordance with EN ISO 13849, and SIL3 in accordance with IEC 61508. With 150-millimeter divisions, the deTec safety light curtains offer 13 different protective field heights from 300 to 2100 mm.

All the variants in the deTec product family are available with 14 and 30 mm resolution; safety light curtains with 14 mm resolution are used in applications requiring a reliable means of keeping fingers away from the system.

Metal and plastic components are combined in the impact resistant housing so that deTec safety light curtains stand up to the hardest requirements with no problem. Thanks to their advanced shock resistance and their extremely rugged front windows, reliable functions are assured even under extreme conditions.

Heat, cold, and humidity are no match for deTec safety light curtains: They meet the requirements of enclosure ratings IP65 and IP67, are approved for an operating temperature range of -30°C to +55°C – and are even able to ensure that processes take place efficiently and safely when temperatures are in the freezing range.

The new deTec4 Prime

The deTec product family offers the right solution for every application. The deTec4 stands out as an all-rounder. Due to its flexible connection concept, it covers almost all standard applications.

Perhaps best described as a form of standardised intelligence, its flexible M12 connectivity enables the deTec4 Prime to provide the right solution every time in a whole host of applications. This keeps down the number of variants available to a considerable degree and saves costs.

Making diverse requirements manageable

Through its modular concept, the deTec4 Prime has managed to pack a whole range of different device types into just 26 variants and provide the customer with functional options. This means that plant manufacturers or operators can keep the basic length and resolution variants that are relevant to their plant concepts in stock, and have a flexible way of simply bolting on additional functions using four different system plugs, as and when required.

Functions provided via four system plugs

Restart interlock, external device monitoring and a binary status output are the optional functions available for the deTec4 Prime safety light curtain. The 8-pin system plug variant is able to cover all three functions without the need for additional wiring – and it is even possible to create cascaded systems with very few connection requirements. Up to three protective fields may be positioned adjacent to one another without blind zones, providing a simple way of establishing presence detection.

Four system plugs are available for the configuration of desired required functions. Configuration is done without software. This simplifies storage and reduces costs.

The integrated beam coding prevents any interference from other safety light curtains in the immediate vicinity, with the coding set using a DIP switch on the plug – no tools are necessary.

Fast commissioning via integrated visual laser and alignment display

All deTec4 safety light curtains save commissioning time and costs thanks to their integrated LEDs and diagnostic functions. The exact adaptation of the range during commissioning is done automatically by the deTec4 itself – the integrated alignment display guarantees faster and more reliable positioning of the sender and receiver using 4 LEDs, as well as automatic calibration of the range up to 21 m at 30 mm resolution. The sender and receiver can be configured from one side. On both sides, the colours of the monitoring and diagnostic LEDs – red, yellow, and green – indicate the status of the device. Four blue LEDs on the receiver, meanwhile, provide clear information about the signal strength.

Flexible plant integration without blind zones

Thanks to the innovative FlexFix mounting bracket, it is possible to mount all deTec safety light curtains on a variety of machine types in a matter of minutes. The mounted light curtain can be rotated before it is finally secured in the FlexFix mounting bracket, and thus ensures a continuous protective field up to the ends of the housing.

Maximum performance thanks to extensive sensing range

At 21 m, the deTec4 Prime demonstrates more than twice the sensing range of the rest of the product family. With a resolution of 30 mm, this therefore provides reliable protection for even exceptionally wide machines. And thanks to the integrated laser alignment aid, adjusting the system takes no time. Using deflection mirrors with these safety light curtains are also extremely straightforward.

Users have already been pleased with the consistently well-designed accessories that are available for the entire deTec family – ranging from mounting brackets and cables to local reset switches, mirror columns, and protective field extensions, all the way through to a replacement adaptor for upgrades involving a deTec light curtain without rewiring.

Forward thinking in safety

Whether in the automotive, parts supplier, packaging industries or in machine building and plant construction, the sustainability of functional safety technology is shown in two important points: fast commissioning and significantly faster system effectiveness thanks to flexible design options and continuous production, and thus higher system efficiency. The concept of the new deTec4 Prime safety light curtain opens up a more complex range of possibilities while making them much easier to handle.

Over a half-century of accumulated experience and expertise in regards to safety has led to the creation of the deTec4 Prime and with it the new benchmark for versatility and operating comfort.

For more information contact Stephen Eltze, SICK Automation Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 472 3733, stephen.eltze@sickautomation.co.za, www.sickautomation.co.za



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