PLCs, DCSs & Controllers


Safety light-screen with muting function

November 2000 PLCs, DCSs & Controllers

The Micro-Screen muting safety light-screen system features a muting function that temporarily suspends light-screen operation, thus allowing parts to enter and exit the protected area without shutting down guarded machinery, eliminating the need to shut down for part feeding which saves time and increases throughput.

The system is well suited to a wide range of automated machine guarding applications including palletisers, stacker/de-stackers and robotic work cells as well as manual feed operations such as presses and semi-automated robotic work cells.

The independently-operating, dual-microprocessor system controller includes separate diagnostics and function selection switches for modes of operation, timing features and input/output control. This muting system utilises any combination of inputs from two or four devices; photoelectric or proximity sensors, safety switches, mechanical limit switches or other input devices, as muting inputs to the light-screen.

Especially significant, the system provides many unique and exclusive features including: mute enable input: directional muting allows users to select one-way or bidirectional muting. External device monitoring terminals can be configured for one-channel monitoring, two-channel monitoring or no monitoring, enabling it to monitor the state of external devices such as machine control elements.

The system also includes a dual-channel input for an optional emergency stop switch. This input remains functional even when the final switching device outputs are muted. The system also features user-selectable monitoring of the muting lamp output.

The backdoor timer is used to select a maximum time for muting periods. As added protection, the system requires multiple muting inputs to be activated within three seconds for muting to occur. Muting begins when a second muting input is activated, within the three seconds of the first and allows the mute condition to continue for the user-programmed time period.

Highly-visible indication of diagnostic and operational status streamlines system configuration and troubleshooting. The ultra-bright indicators are easy to see from a distance, minimising the need for a separate light tower. Dual two-digit LED indicators on the controller provide information such as total number of blocked beams, error codes or mute time remaining with backdoor timer in use. Controller LEDs also alert the operator to high levels of electrical or optical interference. Receivers include three status indicators, visible from the front and both sides, that indicate 'System clear', 'System blocked', 'Power on' or 'System reset', plus 'System alignment'. Emitters have a highly-visible 'Power on' indicator.

The new system is easy to set up and simple to use. Banner's exclusive indicator LEDs flash at a rate proportional to the number of beams completed to streamline emitter/receiver alignment and alert the operator if beams become misaligned during operation. Quick disconnect cables for the emitter and receiver have colour-coded wires and terminals for connection to the control box to simplify system wiring. Users have a choice of standard series, 19 mm minimum object detection size or V series, 32 mm minimum object detection size, emitters and receivers.

The system features universal supply voltage, 115-230 V a.c. and 24 V d.c. and includes a convenient on-board courtesy power supply for up to four pairs of muting sensors. Protective circuitry guards against reverse-polarity, overvoltage and transient voltages.

Micro-Screen systems are designed to comply with applicable domestic and international standards.



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