Electricity + Control February 2017

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Smart process gating
Specialist sensing solutions company Countapulse Controls is making Leuze’s smart process
gating (SPG) technology available across sub-SaharanAfrica. Countapulse Controls managing
director Gerry Bryant says SPG offers a compact, space saving design as the bridging of a
protective field can be done without additional muting sensors.
“Leuze has developed the SPG on the basis of the type 4 safety light curtains in the MLC
500 series, so muting
sensors are no longer
needed,” says Bryant.
“There is also reduced
risk of tampering by
operating personnel.”
SPG system reduces
installation and service
costs because there is
no setup or alignment
of muting sensors;
even interrupted parts
and pallets with gaps
between loading can
be safely transported
in sequence.The safety system offers high reliability and availability, since there is no risk of
misaligned or damaged muting sensors.
Explaining the SPG process, Bryant says a signal is sent by the process controller to the
safety light curtain shortly before the protective field is entered, in order to interrupt the
protective device while the transported material is passing through.
The first gating signal comes from the system control (PLC), whereas the second one is
generated by the safety light curtain itself when the protective field is interrupted. SPG there-
fore requires knowledge of the position of the transported goods so that the necessary PLC
control signals are within the correct time window at the safety light curtain.
Enquiries: Gerry Bryant. Email
EARTHING + LIGHTNING PROTECTION S NSORS + SW TCHES + TRANSDUCERS ROUND UP
Ultra-compact magnetic sensor
for machine construction
SIKO, represented locally by Instrotech,presents the latest stage of development in ultra-
compact magnetic sensors for industry as well as machine and plant construction. Common
applications for SIKO’s latest compact sensors include linear actuators, stop adjustment for
saws, and even measurement of the tracking of solar plants. The sensor measures paths,
angles or rotational speeds – contactless and wear-free – in conjunction with the associated
magnetic tapes or magnetic rings.The sensor reads the magnetic code of the magnetic tape
or magnetic ring incrementally.This information is converted into digital square-wave signals
and sent to the downstream electronics.The SIKOmagnetic sensor MSC500 constitutes a sig-
nificant development over previous MagLine magnetic sensors in terms of their performance
and integrated technology.The sensor includes a clever, multicoloured status LED that aids
in both commissioning and standard operation.The correct distance between the magnetic
band or magnetic ring is can be monitored visually. If the reading distance between sensor
and magnetic tape or magnetic ring is excessive, it will be indicated
by the blue LED. A green LED indicates an intact power supply,
while a yellow LED indicates that the encoded path information
is being read correctly from the magnetic tape or the
magnetic ring.
Enquiries: Instrotrech.
Tel. +27 (0) 10 595 1831 or
email
Electricity+Control February ‘17 24