Electricity + Control March 2017

ROUND UP

CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION

Next step in photoelectric sensing

Safety light curtains and grids

Blanking – blanking suppresses individual light beams or up to three neighbouring light beams. Floating blanking even allows different beams to be suppressed Muting – The temporary automatic muting function allows feeding or products to the dangerous area. Part numbers: OYxxxS; muting relay: G2001S Safety in hygienic material resistance in cleaning processes with steam and high- pressure cleaners is reached by the enclo- sure of the safety light grid in a protective tube IP 69K with integrated heating protec- tion against fogging. Part number: OY4xxS Enquiries:Tel: +27 12 450 0400 or email info.za@ifm.com

In all applications with dangerous areas re- quiring finger, hand and operator protection, the small and powerful safety light curtains and light grids from ifm are the first choice. The main differences of the versions from the OY series are the resolution and the pro- tected area height.Various functions such as range and restart are configured directly on the unit, no PC required. A t-slot on the back allows simple and reliable mounting using the supplied mounting material.The various accessories make low-cost and efficient use easier.The OY type curtain comes in a very small housing being 28 mm x 30 mm in size and can be installed without dead band. Se- lectable ranges are available fromup to 20m for light curtains and up to 60m for light grids with easy tried-and-tested M12 connection. Applications include: Hand and finger protection − for light curtains type OYxxxS, an effective pro- tection is reached by the small distances between light beams starting with 14 mm. Typical applications are presses, pick-and- place machines or handling machines. For hygienic areas, versions with protection rating IP 69K is required.

The OID with time of flight technology (PMD − Photonic Mixer Device) combines the following advantages: long range, reliable background suppression, visible laser light and high excess gain. In the same price range as standard sensors, it is a clever alternative. The switch point can be set easily by turning the setting ring (easy turn). A scale shows the distance set. The switch point can thus be set before installation. As an alternative the version without setting ring, settable IO-Link features the high protection rating IP69 K. Reliable detection of polished, matt, dark or light objects independent of the colour. The unit allows any angle of incidence and thus flexibility of mounting.This simplifies instal- lation and saves costs. Some applications for these sensors include detection of yoghurt pots and position detection of workpiece carriers in series connections. Enquiries: Email info.za@ifm.com