Tech Briefs Magazine - October 2021 - MD-5

If the application demands safe movements
in accordance with the safety
integrity levels SIL2 and SIL3, developers
can easily add that capability with no
need for extra space. Certified functions
for safe positions and safe speeds can
also be selected. Because this full range
of functions is available on the drive
level, there is no need for manufacturers
to program the control system.
More Safety in Tighter Spaces
An ongoing challenge for many manufacturing
operations is to control the
footprint of the automation system
including minimizing the amount of factory
floor space used for control cabinets.
The latest generation of drivebased
safety systems can help keep the
cost and complexity of control cabinets
to a minimum, because they utilize the
latest generation of digital chips and
space-conscious design to pack more
performance into compact units.
For less complex automation platforms,
this means it's possible to use safety
drives to support all necessary safety
functions, reducing costs by eliminating
the need for a safety controller. If, however,
a machine's design is more complex
with additional points of I/O and safety
functions to support at one time, that
same platform can scale up to incorporate
PLC-based safety control. The safety
functions are still resident in the drives
but the PLC manages the drives, rather
than wiring all the light curtains and
other safety devices to each drive.
The latest generation of safety drives
and controls is scalable enough, in both
hardware and software, to support the
full range of safety requirements of
today's production and material transport
systems. Furthermore, choosing
safety technology from one family with
common hardware, software, and programming
tools makes it easier for end
user manufacturers to manage their
safety controls platform.
There are also platforms that are scalable
in the way their drives can be networked.
Simpler systems can have safety
signals from light curtains and other
devices delivered right into the drive via
local I/O. On more complex machines,
there are more connectivity options
such as using the safety bus.
Newest Safety Technology
Delivers Flexible Solutions
Today's leading safety drive and control
platforms provide the vital protection
of people and machines that has
always been an essential part of automated
manufacturing. The most valuable
solutions combine compact, space-saving
dimensions with ultra-fast response
times, ease of programming and commissioning,
and scalable options.
From cost-effective, drive-integrated systems
that support a full menu of safety
functions, to complete safety control systems
that efficiently combine drive-based
and PLC-based controls, machine builders
and end users now have more flexible
choices that can fully align with their
Industry 4.0 operating environments.
This article was written by Tim Loria,
Product Manager at Bosch Rexroth, Hoff man
Estates, IL. For more information, visit
http://info.hotims.com/79418-281.
POWER TRANSMISSION-PART CONVEYING
PYRATHANE®
Using O-rings
as drive belts?
SAMPLES
AVAILABLE
Try Pyrathane®
Round Belts
for improved
performance!
BELTS
Lifetime Warranty Against
Manufacturing Defects
CUSTOM MADE IN INCH,
METRIC & O-RING SIZES
Round, Flat and Connectable
Polyurethane Belts
 Very Clean Operation
 Eliminates Tensioning Devices
 Exceptional Abrasion Resistance
AN ISO 9001
CERTIFIED
COMPANY
pyramidbelts.com  641.792.2405  sales@pyramidbelts.com
Motion Design, October 2021
Free Info at http://info.hotims.com/79418-704
Cov
ToC
5
http://info.hotims.com/79418-281 http://info.hotims.com/79418-704 http://info.hotims.com/79418-936
Tech Briefs Magazine - October 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tech Briefs Magazine - October 2021
