Pilz launches PSENscan safety laser scanner

The family of laser scanners expands the automation portfolio available from Pilz and creates new opportunities in not just static area monitoring but also automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and human-robot collaboration (HRC or cobots). When combined with Pilz PNOZmulti compact configurable controllers or PSS 4000 automation control systems, users can create complex yet economical safety-related control systems.

Minimum effort, maximum safety

PSENscan safety laser scanners offer two-dimensional area monitoring with a large opening angle of 275deg, so applications in which several adjoining sides of a machine or AGV are to be monitored can be implemented with fewer devices compared with using 180deg scanners. This reduces capital expenditure and increases the cost-effectiveness of the application.

PSENscan is versatile and can be used in a variety of situations because different zone configurations can be stored. For example, safety zones and warning zones of various sizes can be defined for set-up and production mode, or zones can be adapted to suit the workpiece that is currently being processed. The ability to adapt simply and flexibly to the most varied structural conditions saves time and effort during set-up.

Up to three separate zones can be monitored simultaneously and up to 70 switchable configurations can be set up. As a result, the application is more productive. Series connection in a master-slave arrangement of up to four scanners is possible, thereby reducing the cabling and set-up work considerably.

Monitor large areas

With a protected field range of 3-5.5m for the safety zone, even large areas can be covered with just one device. The warning zone covers up to 20m and enables a person to be warned in good time, by an audible signal for example, or enables a machine reaction such as deceleration to be triggered. This protects the application from standstill and, at the same time, increases safety and productivity.

The PSENscan Configurator software tool is used to configure PSENscan, with the computer connected to the scanner via an Ethernet port. Safety and warning zones and all other settings can then be configured using the software. The safety laser scanner uses a teach-in mode to record fixed obstacles in its environment, which can then be excluded from the monitoring zones from the outset. This simplifies set-up and reduces commissioning times.

As the complete configuration can be stored on an exchangeable memory module, if it is necessary to swap a device, the new scanner can simply be fitted with the existing memory module; there is no need to repeat the configuration.

High availability

The PSENscan safety laser scanner is protected to IP65. Furthermore, the scanner has been designed so that errors triggered by dust particles are detected and thereby avoided. The device shows status information or error messages, such as a cleaning prompt, on the integrated display. If any persons or objects are within the warning zone or safety zone, this will be signalled on the display with a colour highlight, so that it can be easily identified from a distance. As a result, PSENscan ensures high availability.

For more information go to www.pilz.co.uk and enter webcode 181395.