With around 730 employees, Strama-MPS develops special machines, systems and complete solutions for the production, assembly and testing of complex technical components and products at its Straubing site. In addition, the Strama Group serves customers worldwide in the electronics sector with automation solutions and bonding technology, including in the field of electromobility. As a manufacturer of standard and special solutions, Strama-MPS attaches particular importance to a uniform operating concept with a recognizable look and feel when it comes to system operability. This begins with the use of standardized solutions such as prefabricated modules in the mechanical design, Eplan macros in the electrical design and tested software modules. This modular principle offers numerous advantages, which have a positive effect on engineering times and quality levels.

Systems with complex machining processes usually require different access authorizations as well as several operating modes for automatic or service operation, setting up the application, manual intervention under restricted conditions or process monitoring. Each operating mode must be optimally adapted to the task at hand and be as safe as possible in every situation.

Safe access to the assembly line
The intelligent operating mode selector switch PITmode from Pilz stands for optimum protection. Safety and security are combined in one system. Personalized ID keys use RFID (radio-frequency identification) to ensure who has access to the plant and which operating mode the key holder is allowed to activate. "With PITmode, our customers switch different operating modes with the required release level via secure control signals. The switch's tamper protection is paramount; the safety-related switching of the operating mode can only be carried out by authorized persons with a correspondingly coded chip," says Johann Franz, electrical designer at Strama-MPS.

The compact operating mode selector switch PITmode (left) provides access authorization and safe operating mode selection in one device for Strama-MPS systems. © Mushroom

Where previously a simple key or switch could be used to switch back and forth between two operating modes without an actual control function, PITmode provides a significant increase in clarity and safety. The operating mode scales security according to the level of risk. PITmode assigns graduated authorization and security levels; the coded and personalized key cannot be easily transferred to other persons. By assigning individual control authorizations, authorized operators receive machine approvals adapted to their tasks. The universal coding ensures the greatest possible protection against manipulation.

Access and authorizations depending on operating mode
"Our control panels in the uniform Strama MPS design give the user a familiar look and feel. PITmode fits into our operating concept. The operator can clearly identify the selected operating mode and authorization level via the clear LED displays. With his RFID transponder key, he can absolutely rely on a tamper-proof evaluation of the operating mode in the control system," emphasizes Johann Franz.

The machine releases of authorized employees are stored on RFID transponder keys. When the key is inserted, the user can select the operating modes defined for them. © Mushroom

Up to five safe operating modes can be selected, such as automatic mode, set-up mode (with enabling button), manual intervention under restricted conditions (with enabling button), special mode/process monitoring (without enabling button) and service mode. Thanks to the RFID principle, PITmode is practically wear-free with a long service life. Combining several mechanical keys and passwords in one transponder key reduces the administrative effort. The operating mode selector switch is optionally available with pictograms for machine tools.

Strama-MPS also relies on the automation experts from Ostfildern in other areas. Depending on the task and requirement, a wide range of Pilz technology and solutions can be found in the machines and plants of the Straubing-based company - from simple switchgear to coded safety switches, mechanical safety switches with guard locking and the configurable, safe small controller PNOZmulti for safety-related machine control. pb