Press releases

Optimally safeguarded – Nr. 8/2009

Baumüller presents flexible safety solutions

Nuremberg. Seldom has the automation industry been so active in the area of safety engineering. The reason for this is the new Machinery Directive which will come into effect as of December 29, 2009. In order to meet the stringent requirements for machine and equipment safety, Baumüller is offering safety solutions that can be adapted for the respective application.

Baumüller’s integrated and PLCopen Safety-compliant safety concept comprises centralized, modular decentralized, and hybrid automation structures and is reflected in every part of the application. Baumüller integrates its safety concept into all automation components – the main component being the new b maXX-safePLC safety controller in connection with a drive system with integrated functional safety.

The concept of integrated safety engineering concentrates on the exact point where all machine sequences are coordinated: the automation system. While traditional concepts rely on additional safety components, such as conventional safety switchgear, Baumüller prefers a holistic solution. This requires hardware components that can be equipped in a scalable manner, ranging from simple to demanding safety functions. These functions are incorporated into the standard automation system, while continuing to use the existing infrastructure and resources.

The integration of safety programming conforming to Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3 in the Baumüller ProMaster engineering framework means that comprehensive safety applications can be implemented at the complexity level of a standard automation. The secure ProSafety IEC programming environment is an integral component of ProMaster and accesses the same project database. It was developed in conformance with the requirements of IEC 61508 and covers the entire range of safety requirements up to and including SIL 3. Thanks to ProSafety, scalable safety functionalities can be comfortably integrated into standard automation applications.

Implementation of high-quality safety functions as an add-on solution

Baumüller’s product portfolio includes the SMX series, which satisfies the market demands for customised safety concepts. Its modular structure allows the user to integrate additional functions as required and to respond flexibly to new safety requirements.

The high safety level of this product series, up to and including SIL 3 according to EN 61508, as well as additional integrated safety functions, such as emergency shutdown, standstill monitoring, and monitoring of position area and maximum speed, ensure the safe function of drive axes with dangerous motions. This also ensures easy and safe programming and parameter assignment. The safety controller, which is equipped with an interface for safe (e.g., PROFIsafe for PROFIbus) and standard fieldbus systems, has a programming tool that enables the user to easily select and parameterize the connected input and output devices in a configuration menu. All common control devices can be accessed as ready-made elements by means of an icon.

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