ABB Light Curtains
ABB light curtains are safety light devices used for presence sensing, perimeter safety, machine guarding and protection of workers in industrial robotics and automation processes. ABB light curtains work by creating a photoelectric barrier or virtual sensing zone that immediately triggers a safe stop signal when any body parts cross one or more safety light beams, reducing the risk of injury from hazardous machinery motions. ABB develops industrial safety light curtains that are robust, highly reliable and designed to fulfill ISO 13849-1 or IEC 61496-1/2 Category 4 requirements for highest functional safety integrity levels (SIL 3).
ABB includes finger, hand and body detection types for close machine safety or accessible area guarding; perimeter, point-of-operation, multi-beam and partially muting presence and access protection sensors. With ruggedized sensor housings, high immunity to EMC interference and fast detection response, ABB industrial light curtains withstand dirty factory conditions and provide repeatable guarded machine stopping distances. ABB automation light curtains feature easy mounting, wiring simplicity, coded beams and diagnostic feedback for quick maintenance—a proven way to comply with EN 61496, ANSI B11, OSHA and other safety norms for safeguarding dangerous machines.
FAQs
What applications benefit most from ABB light curtains?
ABB light curtains are commonly used around presses, robotic cells, packaging lines, conveyors, and automated assembly systems where operator protection is crucial. Their fast detection capability ensures that hazardous machine motion stops immediately when the sensing field is interrupted, making them essential for maintaining safety compliance and reducing workplace injuries.
How do ABB light curtains improve machine safety and productivity?
ABB light curtains enable safe operator access to machinery without requiring physical barriers, allowing processes to remain efficient while still meeting safety standards. They provide rapid response times and continuous self-monitoring, helping detect dangerous conditions early and reducing unplanned downtime. This combination of safety and efficiency supports uninterrupted production while maintaining a protected workspace.
Are ABB light curtains easy to install and integrate with industrial safety systems?
Yes, ABB designs its light curtains with installer-friendly alignment tools, clear visual indicators, and standardized wiring options. They integrate seamlessly with ABB and third-party safety relays, controllers, and safety PLCs, making them suitable for both new installations and equipment retrofits. This reduces installation time and ensures consistent performance in safety-critical environments.
What makes ABB light curtains reliable in harsh industrial environments?
ABB light curtains are built with rugged housings, sealed optics, and components resistant to dust, vibration, water, and electromagnetic interference. Their advanced sensing technology ensures stable detection even when environmental conditions change, allowing them to perform reliably in heavy manufacturing, metalworking, and high-traffic industrial areas.
Do ABB light curtains support different safety resolutions and mounting requirements?
Yes, ABB offers light curtains with multiple resolutions, protective heights, and mounting configurations to meet specific machine safeguarding needs. Options are available for finger protection, hand and limb detection, perimeter guarding, and long-range access control. This versatility allows engineers and integrators to select the right safety solution for their unique application requirements.
Analog and Digital Control Signals: The Basics
Digital Signals
Digital signals are represented in either a true or false. There is no gray area with digital signals. An example of this might be a light switch. A light switch is either on or off. Another example of this might be a motor that is running or not running. Digital signals can be generated with both AC and DC circuits with varying voltages, currents and resistance. Some practical examples of using digital signals in an industrial environment might be if a pump is running or not running or a whether a valve is open or closed.
Analog Signals
Analog signals convey information in the form of a range. A light switch might be on or off as a digital signal, but a dimmer switch would be an analog signal. It can be on or off, but it can also be somewhere in between. A practical example of using analog signals in an industrial environment would be if there is a need to measure the level of a tank; whether it's full, empty or somewhere in between. Analog signals can take many different forms with some of the more common being a 4 to 20 milliamp signal or a 0 to 5 or 0 to 10 volt signal.
Communication
Communication in a device can either be sent or received. Whether that data is sent or received depends on the type of information. Is there a need to monitor the status of something? If so, an input needs to be received about that information. Is there a need to control something? If so, an output needs to be sent about what needs to occur. Receiving inputs and setting outputs are both things that can be accomplished by using both digital and analog signal types. Therefore, the signals are referred to as analog outputs (AO), analog inputs (AI), digital inputs (DI) or digital outputs (DO).