Systems are becoming increasingly complex and modular. At the same time, functional safety is an important aspect. For example, when using guards, systems must stop immediately if a safety gate to a hazardous area is opened. Depending on the application, individual solutions consisting of a combination of sensors, escape release and an operating and push-button unit are often required here.

The safety gate sensors PSENslock and PSENmlock form the core of the modular safety gate system from Pilz. The former offers safe position monitoring with process guard locking in one. The PSENmlock, on the other hand, can be used for personnel and process protection up to the highest safety category PL e thanks to safe interlocking and safe guard locking.

A variant with series connection is also available for the PSENmlock sensor. Depending on the application, users can select the right safety gate sensor and combine it with the components required for their application to create a customized solution.

Despite its modularity, operating a safety gate system should be simple. Commands such as activating, stopping or acknowledging the machine or system can be controlled via a suitable push-button unit on the safety gate. The PITgatebox push-button unit, for example, can be used to operate and control the safety gate sensors. Individual applications can be implemented from the preconfigured variants with different combinations of pushbuttons, key-operated switches and emergency stop buttons. Even in harsh industrial environments, the PITgatebox with its robust die-cast zinc housing works reliably as it is resistant to impact, vibration and collision. With its slim housing, space-saving installation on standard profile systems is possible.

Options for a safe escape

In a difficult situation, the worker must be able to leave the isolated danger zone quickly. The escape release takes care of this in the safety gate system. Two versions of the escape release are therefore available as optional accessories for the safety gate sensors PSENmlock: The PSENml escape release is connected directly to the base unit via a rod, while the PSENml escape release cordset is mounted on the sensor via a push-pull cord.The remote version with push-pull cord allows the safety gate system and the escape release to be mounted separately. The latter therefore does not specify where the sensor must be installed. Finally, customers can complete their individual safety gate solution with matching door handles for swing and sliding doors.

The modular system therefore enables a range of combinations for individual safety gate solutions that can be used from stand-alone machines to extensive, interlinked systems. Further possibilities arise for the safety gate sensor PSENmlock with series connection if the user combines the system with a diagnostic solution such as Safety Device Diagnostics (SDD). This makes it possible to query the status information of the intelligent sensors, read out their configuration parameters and visualize actions.