Electricity + Control June 2015

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ROUND UP CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION
Expandable compact safety controller
RET Automation Controls has introduced an expandable program-
mable safety controller featuring small footprint and Boolean logic
for high efficiency and flexibility developed by RET’s Safety Partner
Banner Engineering.
The new XS26-2 Controller monitors numerous input devices
including e-stop buttons, rope pulls, enabling devices, protective
safety stops, interlocked guards or gates, optical sensors, two-hand
controls, and safety mats.
A wide variety of options and configurations allows users to
purchase only the capabilities they need, with ability to add on in
the future.The base controller already offers 26 inputs and two dual
safety outputs, allowing users to connect safety devices to a single
controller instead of multiple relay modules.
Eight of its 26 inputs can be configured as outputs for efficient
terminal utilisation. The base controller can handle up to eight
optional expansion modules to monitor up to 128 I/O devices. It is
appropriate for medium and large assembly machines and lines,
both manual and automated.
Free software included with the controller provides an intuitive,
graphical programming environment for easy implementation. Ease
of use features include real-time live display feedback and intuitive
functional diagram configuration. Its compact DIN rail housing,
only 45 mm wide x 110 mm tall, conserves control panel space.The
controller is certified to Safety Category 4, Performance Level e.
Enquiries: RET Automation Controls.
Email
New I/O modules include safe input
The new SafetyBridge I/O modules from Phoenix Contact expand
the network-independent SafetyBridge system in terms of flexibility,
functionality, and application areas.The newmodules include a safe
input module with added inputs, as well as a new logic module with
extensive functional upgrades.
The logic module can now communicate with up to 16 remote
safe I/O modules. Together with the input modules featuring 16
safe inputs each, a SafetyBridge island can encompass up to 256
safe inputs. Up to 31 such islands can be operated from a standard
control unit.These systems are able to exchange safety signals with
each other. SafetyBridge technology is therefore fully suitable to
being installed in large-scale and modularly structured machines
and systems. The modules and the safety logic are very easy to
set up using the Safeconf software.
There are 14 different safe function modules in total, ranging
from a simple Emergency Stop through to various muting blocks.
The safety solution is independent from the network and the control
units, which makes it highly flexible when it comes to integrating
functional safety into machines and systems. The safe modules,
mixed with non-safety Inline I/Os, can be distributed across the
network below a range of different standard control units.
Enquiries: Kevin Preston