Posted to News on 7th Jun 2006, 00:00
Safety inductive loop controller eases forklift access
Smartscan now offers an effective solution for automatic muting of a safety light curtain at forklift truck load and unload areas. The safety related inductive loop control system is typically found on in-feed and out-feed conveyor access to dangerous machines like pallet stretch wrappers, pallet shrink wrappers, de-stackers, de-palletisers and robotic handling systems.
The Smartscan inductive loop controller controls the muting function within the light curtain, by detecting the metallic mass of the forklift truck passing over the twin inductive loops installed under the floor, in front of the zone protected by the light curtain. When a forklift truck is detected the loops provide dual signals to the controller which are monitored and processed to provide failsafe muting signals to inhibit the light curtain during periods when the forklift truck is loading or unloading pallets from inside the potentially dangerous area.
One of the many advantages of the inductive loop system is a marked improvement in the ease of use for the forklift operator. The system is fully automatic providing continuous but safe operation of machinery by removing the need for manual resetting of the system by the forklift truck driver, with the obvious benefit to production and ergonomic efficiency.
Smartscan loop controllers directly interface with all Series 8000 and 8000+ safety light-curtains. Two different loop controllers are available - model SLC2, suitable for Category 2 application and SLC4 for Category 4 control integrity as defined in European Standard EN954-1.
