Press releases

Increased safety – No. 16/2006 (20.7.2006)

b maXX inverters take safety certification to the next level

Nuremberg. In mechanical engineering, the subject of safety is an increasingly hot topic. The Baumüller Group is playing its part in pushing forward developments in this area. Baumüller b maXX 4400 servo controllers, frame sizes 1 to 6, now feature a Safe Stop function certified in accordance with Category 3 (single-channel stop) as defined by standard EN 954-1. Baumüller achieved certification for the Safe Stop function in accordance with Category 4 (two-channel stop) as defined by standard EN 954-1 for frame sizes 3 to 6 of its b maXX 4400 range back in July 2005.

It has already been three years since the Baumüller Group started to increase its focus on safety in the context of development. The automation solution supplier, which is based in the German city of Nuremberg, presented the Safe Stop function at SPS/IPC/Drives 2003. Since then, requirements from customers in the plastics sector have been pushing forward developments in respect of safety: Back in July 2005, Baumüller achieved certification for its Safe Stop function in accordance with Category 4 (two-channel stop) as defined by standard EN 954-1 for frame sizes 3 to 6 of its b maXX 4400 range; this has been followed, in 2006, by certification for the Safe Stop function in accordance with Category 3 (single-channel stop) as defined by standard EN 954-1 for frame sizes 1 to 6 of the same range. The obvious benefit for customers is that they now have access to a cost-effective route to implementing safe solutions in accordance with Categories 3 and 4 as defined by EN 954-1.

Custom-configuration of drive systems is made possible by the modular structure of Baumüller’s b maXX range. Plug-in modules mean that users can add new functions to their loop controllers as they please – new control functions, for example, or additional interfaces. Thanks to a universal hardware and software platform, drives can easily be customized to meet prevailing needs at any time. The b maXX also supports access to numerous bus systems in the automation sector, including, for example, EtherCAT, CANopen, CANsync, PROFIBUS-DP and Sercos. All controllers in the b maXX range are parameterized using WinBASS II.

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