What you need to know to select the right safety laser scanner for your application
Safety laser scanners are essential tools in modern industrial environments, providing a versatile and reliable means of ensuring worker safety and protecting machinery. A safety laser scanner is a device designed to protect people from injury by detecting their presence and stopping machinery or hazards in the area. They are particularly useful in applications where traditional safety measures, such as physical barriers or light curtains, may not be practical or effective.
Safety laser scanners are ideal for dynamic environments where the layout or operational conditions frequently change, such as in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic systems, and complex manufacturing processes.
By offering flexible and customizable detection zones, these scanners can adapt to various scenarios, ensuring comprehensive coverage and immediate response to potential hazards. Their ability to integrate seamlessly with existing control systems further enhances their utility, making them a crucial component in maintaining a safe and efficient workplace.
Here’s how they work
The scanner emits laser beams that sweep across a designated area. When the laser beams hit an object or person, they reflect back to the scanner. The scanner processes these reflections to determine if an object or person is within the protected zone. If an intrusion is detected, the scanner sends a signal to stop the machinery or hazard, preventing potential injury.
Safety laser scanners enable humans and machines to collaborate safely in industry. There, laser scanners protect hazardous areas, hazardous points, and access points – indoors and outdoors. The microScan3, nanoScan3 and outdoorScan3 product families are setting new performance standards for safety laser scanners, opening new fields of application for you, and increasing productivity.
Steps to Selecting a Safety Laser Scanner
Selecting the right safety laser scanner for your application is crucial for ensuring optimal safety and efficiency in industrial environments. These devices offer a versatile and reliable means of protecting workers and machinery by detecting the presence of individuals and stopping hazardous operations. They are particularly beneficial in dynamic environments where traditional safety measures may not be practical.
Safety laser scanners provide flexible and customizable detection zones, adapting to various scenarios to ensure comprehensive coverage and immediate response to potential hazards. Their seamless integration with existing control systems further enhances their utility, making them indispensable in maintaining a safe and efficient workplace.
Whether used in horizontal or vertical applications, SICK safety laser scanners offer unparalleled flexibility and maximum protection. By understanding the key features and capabilities of these devices, you can make an informed decision to select the best safety laser scanner for your specific needs, ensuring a safer and more productive industrial environment.
Significant Features to Consider When Selecting a Safety Laser Scanner
Safety laser scanners are indispensable in modern industrial settings, offering a versatile and reliable solution for safeguarding workers and machinery. These devices detect the presence of individuals and halt machinery or hazards to prevent injuries. They are particularly beneficial in situations where traditional safety measures, like physical barriers or light curtains, are impractical or ineffective.
When selecting a safety laser scanner, several critical features need to be considered to ensure optimal performance and integration.
Machine Integration
This is how the device will tie into the higher-level system. Selection may depend on the existing hardware already present in the application. The good news is that SICK has safety laser scanners with many common industry integration options to choose from.
- Safety I/O: Commonly used with Safety Relays or direct connection to a Safety PLC
- Ethernet/IP CIP Safety: Commonly used with Rockwell Safety PLCs.
- PROFINET PROFISafe: Commonly used with Siemens Safety PLCs.
- EtherCAT FSoE: Commonly used with Beckhoff Safety PLCs
- EFI-Pro: Communicate Host/Guest systems or integrate into SICK Flexi Soft Controller. SICK proprietary protocol based on CIP safety.
Field Switching
Field switching allows safety laser scanners to adapt to different operational scenarios by changing the monitored area. This feature is crucial for applications where the environment or operational conditions change frequently.
Multiple Monitoring Cases provides the ability to configure and switch between field sets based on an input condition to adapt to different safety hazards. Scanners can be programmed to have multiple field types including protection fields, warning fields or contour detection fields. This allows for flexible and customizable safety setups.
Dynamic Field Switching can be integrated based on the detected environment via static or dynamic (encoder) signals enhancing flexibility and safety. The ability to switch between different field sets dynamically allows the scanner to adapt to changing environments and operational conditions.
Safety Range
The safety range of a laser scanner determines the maximum distance at which it can detect objects or people safely. This range varies based on the model and application requirements. The safety range of safety laser scanners from SICK range from 3m up to 9m, with a wide-angle monitoring area of275 degrees. In addition, the safety laser scanners can provide non-safe measurement data up to 64m depending on variant.
Safety Distance Calculations
The ISO 13855 Standard provides guidelines for positioning safeguards with respect to the approach speed of a person. It helps determine the minimum safe distance required to stop machinery before a person can reach the hazard. By determining this requirement, you can select a safety laser scanner that best meets your specific safety and operational needs.
The safety distance (S) can be calculated using the formula: S=(K×T)+C
(K) = approach speed of the person (typically 1600 mm/s)
(T) = total response time of the system
(C) = supplemental distance(s) based on the detection capability of the scanner and environment
Depending on safety distance requirements, configurable fields can be set to trigger at different levels of intrusion, providing early warnings and immediate responses as needed.
Why Use SICK Safety Laser Scanners?
SICK is synonymous with safety, and their safety laser scanners are renowned for their reliability, versatility, and advanced technology, making them a top choice for enhancing industrial safety.
These scanners feature innovative safeHDDM® technology, ensuring high precision and reliability even in challenging conditions like dust, dirt, and ambient light. With a wide scanning range of up to 9 meters and a 275° monitoring area, they provide comprehensive coverage without safety gaps.
SICK scanners are versatile, performing well both indoors and outdoors, and are suitable for various applications, including area protection, access protection, and monitoring hazardous points. They support multiple network options (Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT) and I/O allowing seamless integration with existing systems.
Field switching capabilities enable dynamic adaptation to different safety zones, enhancing flexibility and safety. Additionally, SICK scanners are rugged and reliable, resistant to environmental challenges, and offer high EMC compatibility.
The microScan3, nanoScan3, and outdoorScan3 product families set new standards, providing tailored solutions for various applications, and increasing productivity. Choosing SICK safety laser scanners ensures a safer and more efficient industrial environment, leveraging their advanced technology, versatility, and robust performance.
