Posted to News on 29th Mar 2013, 11:52
Safety Automation Builder simplifies planning of safety systems
Rockwell Automation is promoting the Allen-Bradley Safety Automation Builder (SAB), a free software tool that helps machine builders to plan, design, develop and validate safety systems. SAB is just one of many tools available from Rockwell Automation, which describes itself as 'number-one globally in machine safety, with the widest portfolio of products backed up by tools, guides and TUV-certified engineers', all of which helps to ensure machine builders are compliant with current and emerging regulations.
The patent-pending Safety Automation Builder (SAB) tool assists machine designers in selecting products that will achieve the required safety performance level (PL) according to EN ISO 13849-1. Moreover, it creates Sistema project files so that the safety system can be analysed in the IFA's Sistema (Safety Integrity Software Tool for Evaluation of Machine Applications).
SAB enables users to:
- Layout machine hazards and access points
- Define safety functions and select Allen-Bradley safety products for each function
- Export data to Sistema for analysis
- Compile a bill of materials (BOM) via direct integration with ProposalWorks
According to Rockwell Automation, the free SAB tool can help machine builders to reduce design and engineering time, plus it reduces the chance that errors will be introduced in the safety concept stage or later in the development process.
To use SAB, the engineer starts by importing an image of the machinery, then SAB guides them through the safety system development process by asking questions using a drop-down selection menu and help screens in order that the necessary safeguards can be identified and selected. SAB then compiles all product selections, generates a bill of materials, indicates the attained safety performance level (PL) and provides a Sistema project file for analysis. Not only does SAB assist with developing the safety-related control system, but it also supports the engineer in specifying fixed guards, movable guards and other access points - for example, where safety light curtains might be required.
At the time of SAB's launch, Sal Spada, a research director at ARC Advisory Group, commented: "Our recent 2016 global market research outlook study on machinery safety found Rockwell Automation to be the leading global supplier of safeguarding solutions. Rockwell Automation continues to support this leading market position with the launch of new safety tools. Its new Safety Automation Builder tool provides safety-system design guidance using the world's broadest safety-automation portfolio, giving customers a single trusted source for the safety expertise they need."
Follow the link to view a datasheet, watch a short movie that introduces the software, and download a free copy of Safety Automation Builder, and to find out more about other machinery safety tools, products, systems and services from Rockwell Automation.
