The Safety Fieldbox with PROFINET/PROFIsafe field bus interface is a simple, inexpensive installation that provides flexible, individually configurable safety solutions for complex machines and systems, as well as transmission of diagnostics and status information.
According to the company, with its sometimes complex processing and production systems, the packaging industry has high demands when it comes to safety technology, which must help to facilitate system flexibility, efficiency, availability and connectivity.
The 8-pin M12-connector universal device interface enables connectivity with a wide range of safety switchgear devices, including electronic and electro-mechanical safety interlocks, sensors, control panels, light curtains and switches.
This allows for numerous combinations, and enables the Safety Fieldbox to cover typical safety concepts that are usually used on multi-part, modular packaging systems: two or three safety switchgear devices or interlocks may be used for safety door or maintenance hatch position monitoring, for example, or a safety light curtain may be installed for area protection at a workstation.
Superior safety control
Similarly, a control panel with emergency-stop button may be connected to the superior safety control system via the Safety Fieldbox.
Using the M12 power connector means that – depending on switchgear type and current consumption – up to 10 Safety Fieldboxes can be connected in series with 80 devices.
The integrated digital output at every 8-pin connector slot on the Safety Fieldbox allows the diagnostics signals of all connected safety switchgear to be evaluated, leading to greater process transparency and fault-free machine operation.
A wide range of operating data can be collected, transmitted and evaluated to help identify irregularities and enable early intervention in the event of a malfunction.