3. Sensors respond fast and don’t carry additional maintenance costs
Traditional mechanical or physical safety fences require an operator or technician to manage them. In this case, responses and start-ups are slower. Plus, over time, the mechanical items suffer wear and tear, adding to maintenance costs.
On the other hand, sensors reduce the need for mechanical/physical fences altogether, allowing for more flexible workspaces and maximising the plant footprint.
With compact designs and industry-accredited software, sensors integrate into existing systems easily, ensuring a cost-effective solution.
With relatively few components, sensors do not require extensive maintenance.
4. Sensors manage production automatically
Sensors are designed to communicate directly with PLCs and robots, to adjust equipment speed and take action automatically. Stopping times are reduced, resulting in improved efficiency and productivity. Less time is wasted managing mechanical controls or re-starting equipment after personnel have accessed the danger zone, the machinery or the goods in production.
It is possible to embrace the future of robotics and automation to achieve competitive production, all while meeting safety requirements. Intelligent sensors are the cost-effective and efficient key, allowing robots and operators to collaborate.
A great example of this is SICK’s
collaboration with OpiFlex (a Swedish robot company). OpiFlex sought to make its industrial robots mobile, to allow them to move to any location (or any client) as required. Using SICK safety devices, this is now possible – the robot can be moved using a pallet forklift truck or an automated guided vehicle and plugged into a previously installed platform.
Two mini remote safety laser scanners, with the SICK Safe Robot system
(S300 Mini Remote safety laser scanners) are mounted on the robot, and detect personnel around the robot site, slowing or stopping the robot as needed. No matter where the robot is deployed, it is safe, without the need for safety fences.
For more information about SICK Intelligent Sensors’ safety solutions for your automotive plant, click
here.