interpack 2020: Safety Fieldbox Enables New and Flexible Safety Solutions for the Packaging Industry
March 23, 2020
The Schmersal Group will be showcasing its Safety Fieldbox with PROFINET/PROFIsafe field bus interface at interpack 2020, the new safety solution designed specifically for the packaging industry.
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 Safety Fieldbox is a simple, inexpensive installation solution which provides highly flexible, individually configurable safety solutions for complex machines and systems, as well as transmission of diagnostics and status information.
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. 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 to supply the Safety Fieldbox means that, depending on switchgear type and current consumption, up to ten 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. All of this makes the Safety Fieldbox an important module in systems for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.
