As production processes become increasingly automated and robots play a larger role on the production line, manufacturers are looking for more ways to maintain and reinforce a safe work environment.
The new Allen-Bradley GuardShield 450L safety light curtain system from Rockwell Automation is a flexible, cost-effective solution that enhances safety while improving productivity through innovative transceiver technology.
Unlike traditional safety light curtains, based on pre-defined transmitter and receiver units, this next-generation system features a patented transceiver design that employs plug-in modules to establish each unit’s function as a transmitter or receiver. Once powered up, the transceiver learns its functionality from the plug-in module.
“When light curtain systems are developed on the traditional transmitter/receiver architecture, customers need to buy multiple models to accommodate different features,” said Christo Buys, business manager for control systems at Rockwell Automation sub-Saharan Africa. “Now, they can purchase identical GuardShield 450L sticks and customise the features with different plug-ins.”
Functionality and applications
Five-pin plug-ins are available for basic on/off functionality, while eight-pin plug-ins provide manual and auto restart with external device monitoring. To simplify setup, advanced function settings are configured through DIP switches located on the plug-in module.
Ideal for hand and finger detection, and offered in a wide range of protective heights, the light curtain system is also equipped with an active protective field that senses the entire length of the transceiver. This feature reduces the inactive sensing areas that generally appear at the top and bottom of other light curtains.
Unlike traditional light curtain systems, the active sensing field and compact design allow customers to install the GuardShield 450L light curtain system inside a machine frame as opposed to outside or on the machine. Additionally, flexible mounting kits and built-in alignment indication allow for quick, trouble-free installation.
Robotic case packer achieves 99% uptime Rockwell Automation
Motion Control & Drives
DCC Automation designed a new robotic case packer for a nutrition supplement manufacturer using delta robots and a unified Rockwell Automation control platform, cutting changeover time from 45 minutes to 5 minutes, and achieving 99 to 99,5% uptime against the previous 10% per-shift downtime.
Read more...How sustainability unlocks real business impact Rockwell Automation
IT in Manufacturing
Sustainability has moved from a compliance obligation to a strategic driver of resilience and value for manufacturers. Rockwell Automation explains how its Triple A framework and connected-data approach help producers cut energy, water and waste while improving productivity.
Read more...How BIC overcame operational silos to integrate technology and people Rockwell Automation
IT in Manufacturing
Manufacturing giant BIC deployed Plex MES from Rockwell Automation at its Bizerte plant in Tunisia, replacing fragmented, partly in-house software with a single cloud-based execution system that broke operational silos and improved shop-floor visibility.
Read more...Patented algorithm maximises operator efficiency Rockwell Automation
IT in Manufacturing
Rockwell Automation piloted a patented anomaly detection algorithm and FactoryTalk DataMosaix at its Twinsburg electronics plant, giving operators 30 to 60 days’ advance warning of stencil failure, improving fail rates by 22% and achieving a 200% return on investment.
Read more...Outdoor cellular routers for potentially explosive areas Phoenix Contact
IS & Ex
Phoenix Contact has extended its Cellulink outdoor cellular router range with new versions approved for Zone 2 potentially explosive areas, featuring end-to-end IECEx and ATEX certification of the complete router, antenna path and antenna system.
Read more...Improving material handling with autonomous mobile robots Rockwell Automation
Motion Control & Drives
Autonomous mobile robots offer flexible, AI-driven material handling that adapts to shifting demand, fills labour gaps, and generates the operational data needed to optimise end-to-end facility performance.
Read more...Nine things your emergency control room must now have Oculus Operational Innovations
Editor's Choice IS & Ex
A new South African regulation, effective since March 2025 with no transition period, sets out nine mandatory requirements for underground mine emergency control rooms, and specifies who must be in charge at all times.
Read more...Overcoming reactive maintenance Rockwell Automation
IT in Manufacturing
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres is leveraging technology from Rockwell Automation to optimise maintenance operations, affirming the significant role of digital tools in industrial maintenance management.
Read more...Install and commissioning time cut by 50% thanks to digital twin insights Rockwell Automation
IT in Manufacturing
ECM Technologies, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative and modular low-pressure carburising industrial furnaces, has developed a solution that removes many of the installation and commissioning challenges relating to the development, testing and deployment of large-scale heat treatment plants.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version