Smart Process Gating, introduced by Leuze, has made muting processes more economical as well as simpler and safer. This technology is available in southern Africa from sensor solutions specialist, Countapulse Controls. Managing director, Gerry Bryant, explains that in intralogistics as well as in the automotive and packaging industries, material locks often need to be safeguarded against unauthorised access by means of safety sensors.
Previously, muting processes with muting sensors were required to identify clearly when transported goods were approaching a protective field. These muting sensors then bridged the passing of these goods through the protective field at the correct moment. The Smart Process Gating method has completely eliminated the need for signal-emitting sensors, making this a far simpler and more reliable solution in these applications. This solution is based on the Leuze MLC safety light curtains and this means that conveyor systems can be made more compact.
This configuration of the sensing solution has eliminated the risk of misalignment or damage to the sensors, and in addition because it is so simple to install there is a reduction in capital input costs. There is also a considerable reduction in maintenance and servicing requirements, which also reduces costs.
Increased reliability and sensing accuracy is a major advantage of the Smart Process Grating solution, and this will increase not only productivity but also safety in an operation. In the case of typical intralogistics applications, the height of the protective device is entirely dependent on the safety-related requirements and this sensing methodology does not require synchronisation beams to be taken into consideration, again saving on cost and increasing reliability.
The first muting signal comes from the process controller (PLC), while the second muting signal is generated by the protective field itself. Smart Process Gating requires a detailed knowledge of the process so that the necessary control signals are made available in the expected time window. Countapulse Controls offers a full technical advisory service that can assess any application and provide the most appropriate solution using this technology.
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