Posted to News on 24th Jan 2020, 16:38
Pilz works with machine builder to implement new safety concept
German company Herbst was working on the delivery of a specialist horizontal mixing machine when some of the fundamental framework conditions changed close to the delivery date - meaning that the safety concept for the machine had to be adapted as quickly as possible. Within a few days, Pilz worked with Herbst to incorporate the PSENmlock safety gate system, which met the new requirements.
A mounting position had changed at short notice, rendering the existing safety concept for the horizontal animal feed mixer ineffective and potentially preventing the machine from being delivered on time. Herbst and Pilz worked closely together to develop a concept that would safeguard the guards on the stirrer: an appropriate resolution was quickly found by using the Pilz PSENmlock safety gate system, which combines safe guard locking and safe interlocking in one device.
The flexibly mounted mechanical actuator on this safety gate system ensures a high tolerance compensation, even with misaligned gates. Furthermore, the closing tolerance of the secure safety gate system was increased by another 10mm compared with a mechanical system. So now there is no longer an injury risk from an overrunning stirrer, should the service and cleaning guards be opened too early.
The benefits can be summarised as follows:
- PSENmlock is versatile and can be incorporated into some unusual mounting positions - making it ideal for special-purpose machinery
- This application demanded rugged hardware and the PSENmlock, being mechanically robust and encased in a sturdy housing, was therefore highly suitable
- Safe guard locking and safe interlocking up to PL e / SIL 3 were achieved within one product
Stephan Schning, the Project Manager at Herbst Maschinentechnik GmbH, comments: "This was a goal-focused action based on partnership - from definition of the task, delivery of the PSENmlock, through to final implementation, including assembly in conjunction with an enhanced locking mechanism - the support we received from Pilz was exemplary!"
About Herbst
Herbst Maschinentechnik GmbH supplies machinery and systems in the fields of stirring and mixing technology, custom and special-purpose machinery, process-controlled machinery, plant construction, handling and discharging technology, and sheet metal processing. With 30 staff, Herbst manufactures systems to customers' specifications and provides its own test facility for trial purposes.
Follow the link for more information about the Pilz PSENmlock safety gate system.
