Light Curtains

More Information about Safety Light Curtains

An essential aspect of safety light curtains is their installation and alignment. Mounting brackets are often used to install them, and they need to be well-aligned for the beams from the transmitter to reach the receiver correctly. In some cases, mirror columns can be used to navigate the beams around tight spaces or corners.

For processes that require frequent access, such as material loading or packaging, a feature known as muting can be utilized. Muting allows temporary suspension of the safety light curtain during these procedures, improving efficiency without compromising safety.

In modern applications, safety light curtains may also feature predictive maintenance capabilities. Through an IO link or other data communication methods, these devices can provide information about their status and function. For instance, an internal fault in the device or the need for realignment can be flagged for attention before it causes a safety issue.

Manufacturers offer a wide selection of safety light curtains, designed to suit various applications and withstand different environmental conditions. Regardless of their specific features, the primary goal of these devices is always to ensure the safety of personnel and to support productive and efficient operation.

Limit Switch Basics 

What are limit switches?

Limit switches are electromechanical switches that operate based on the movement or presence of an object. They are designed to detect the presence of an object using an actuator connected to a series of contacts to detect the presence and proximity or absence of a material or object. When the switch's actuator is moved by an object it will change the state of an electronic contact set. This movement signals that some preset limit has been reached. There are many different ways a switch can be actuated depending on the type of switch that is being used. Some use a roller and lever, some use a button or plunger, while others might use a rotating arm and rod attached to the main body of a switch. The type of switch that is used will largely be dictated by the specific application.

Where are limit switches used? 

Limit switches can be used to tally or count items, so that when a limit is reached, the switch will open or close. This open and closing action can be counted by a controller allowing the action to be totalized. Limit switches can be used as safety interlocks to prevent machine parts from moving any further when specific point is reached. Limit switches are also commonly used in larger control systems. For example, when a certain limit is reached, the actuator can deactivate or activate a device to prevent it from malfunctioning.