“Every company needs a hierarchy. But what a company doesn’t need is hierarchical thinking”, stresses Renate Pilz, Managing Partner of the Pilz group. “That has always been my creed. And that’s how we do things here.”
Walking round the company with Renate Pilz it is obvious: her staff respect her and hold her in high regard, and vice versa: even when time is short she is prepared to listen, even to her employees’ personal problems.
That she is not only a respected but also a successful businesswoman is something that’s repeated time and time again within the industry; and it’s a fact that is supported by the company’s figures.
After her husband lost his life in a plane crash in 1975 and managers were appointed to run the company in the interim, Renate Pilz took over the management of the company in 1994. The company grew, but she recognized the potential that was not being used.
She developed Pilz from a national supplier into a company operating internationally, with 23 overseas subsidiaries in countries including USA, China and Brazil.
Pilz has been implementing the Takeda process optimization strategy. Although the company’s operations were already based on a CIP strategy (continuous improvement process), existing procedures had to be made more efficient to make the company fit for global competition. “The Takeda concept was brought to our attention by one of our very good customers, who had achieved significant improvements with it”, explains Renate Pilz.
The strategy, which Hiroshi Takeda calls “The synchronous production system” and which Pilz calls PPS, is relatively unknown. PPS stands for Pilz Production System; its aim is to involve all employees in the identification of potential improvements within the group and their subsequent implementation, and to promote customer-oriented thinking. Renate Pilz established a separate team for its implementation; the team reports directly to management and its members have in part been released from other work.
The Takeda philosophy is based on the CIP approach (continuous improvement process), but employees are much more closely involved – one reason why Renate Pilz immediately approved of the approach: “We are always searching for appropriate instruments. The concept seemed to be very good because it is a very in-depth system, which integrates people.”
Continuous process optimization is achieved through regular workshops. “The workshops stimulate the creativity of our staff”, the managing director has recognized, “and also strongly encourage interdepartmental working.”
The key difference from CIP lies in the immediate implementation of the results. “Immediate and consistent implementation”, summarizes Renate Pilz. “There are many optimization strategies where a great deal of effort goes into working something out – and then it is postponed until a suitable date can be found for its implementation”.
With PPS there is an understanding of the issue within the team, the working group is composed accordingly and deals with the issue, implementing the conclusions during the actual workshop. The groups are designed to be interdepartmental. “It is often the interfaces that are problematic, and this way they open up – purely through this type of co-operation”, says Renate Pilz. “The result is genuine co-operation, all staff members can have a say in these groups.”
The selection of workshop members depends on who is affected by the issue and whether they can contribute towards solving the problem. One example is the standardization of procedures. “With standardized procedures you can achieve better quality and greater flexibility” explains Renate Pilz. “So you can react more flexibly with the existing team, housekeeping is more readily understood – why the process must run in this way and no other.” Increased efficiency and easier work processes for staff are the result. “For example, if the workplace is made more ergonomic at the suggestion of a female staff member, thus making access to parts considerably easier, that lady’s work becomes more agreeable and she has been part of the process”, says the managing director, quoting a real example. “But first of all you need to become aware of the matter. For years she had fetched the parts from a box on the floor: nobody had the idea to simply place the box higher up – it had always been done like that.” The fact that it is her own design helps the measure to become accepted and increases efficiency and motivation, as well as improving quality.“When problems that have been recognized are resolved very quickly, then it is worth supporting such process improvements”, is the experience of Renate Pilz. “And when implementation is consistent and fast, the concept also establishes itself quickly. This doesn’t just encourage interdepartmental working, it makes it an absolute condition.”
One visible sign of this: the foreman’s office has gone. It has been turned into a team room for production, production technology, development, purchasing and the various fields. The group meets in the team room and deals with the issues there. There were no problems when the foreman’s office was removed. “The staff sees that it’s just part of the job. If there is any resistance, it is generally down to anxiety. And as executives, it is our job to ease such anxiety”, says Renate Pilz, demonstrating her approach to leadership.
The PPS strategy runs through all areas of the business. “Our aims are to substantially increase efficiency and delivery reliability, to optimize and standardize work processes and work equipment, to reduce pressure in the workplace and thereby improve quality”, says Renate Pilz. “Ultimately we are doing this to safeguard the site of course”.
She does not wish to comment on other companies abandoning their sites, but her opinion is reflected in her description of the Pilz strategy: “We don’t complain about the things we can’t do, but we do whatever is within the realms of possibility. And we do that by communicating openly with each other, internally and externally.”
That’s why customers and supplies are also included in the strategy: the former in particular set the tempo for production. “The better the information from the customer, the better we can be too”, says Renate Pilz.
Son Thomas Pilz manages the subsidiary in the USA and daughter Sabine Kunschert works as a manager in Ostfildern. “And so the foundations have been laid for a seamless transfer to the next generation”, says Renate Pilz, “and I am grateful that it all worked out so well.”
Not that she’s thinking of ending her business career just yet. She enjoys the job too much for that, despite the 60-hour week: “I get so much pleasure out of working with our staff and I have a lot of respect for what they do.”
Author:
Hajo Stotz
The Manufacturer
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Glastechnik Holger Kramp GmbH- Water Treatment Plant Solution
Glastechnik Holger Kramp GmbH based out of Stockelsdorf, Germany needed to improve the operational and environmental safety of its water treatment facility where waste water from grinding, drilling and similar machining functions is cleaned and made available again to the production process. The plant consists of several large storage tanks and containers and operate in close contact with the production facility via incoming and outgoing water pipes and pumps. The process of design started with a systematic analysis by Glastechnik Holger Kramp along with Pilz application engineers, to determine what requirements would be needed to improve the safety and reliability for both the human operators and to prevent possible environmental contamination. It was decided that two major goals had to be accomplished, develop a user-friendly and service-friendly diagnostic system, that would, in the event of a fault provide the location and cause of the fault and tips for repairing/remodeling the fault. The goal of this system was to reduce the downtime created by maintenance and safety situations. The safety aspect of the system was accomplished using a series of Pilz E-STOP pushbuttons and coded PSENcode safety switches, in conjunction with the multifunctional safety system PNOZmulti. The PNOZmulti modular safety system watches over the emergency stop devices operating both locally and across the range of machines, as well as the link between the machines and the water treatment system: A fault around one individual machine does not immediately mean that the whole plant has to be brought to a standstill. However, if the central water treatment system should fail, this must result in a controlled overall shutdown of the plant. The safety system also detects potential shorts between contacts, monitors the speed of the pump motors and guarantees that they shut down in the case of a fault. The implementation of this centralized and integrated safety and diagnostic system guarantees that user-friendly solutions are found quickly and accurately. The use of clear easy to understand event and fault messages also make the system significantly easier and faster to diagnose and repair.
Labels:
ESTOP,
PNOZmulti,
wastewater treatment
Monday, May 24, 2010
Pilz is the missing link in Link Engineering's machine safety
Link Engineering is a multinational company based out of Plymouth, Michigan that designs and provides precision test equipment to a variety of industries. Primarily focusing on the needs of the automotive industry and its part manufacturers, Link provides test equipment and a variety of testing services. Link needed to upgrade and centralize the machine guarding and safety monitoring of their automotive dynamometers, lacing machines, friction machines and more. The Pilz line of PNOZ safety relays and PSEN sensors was chosen to complete the project. They decided to use the PNOZ S4 base unit and the S7 Sigma contact expansion module to monitor safety related functions. The PSENmag is used to monitor entry into gated areas of the machinery and production equipment and monitors the position of movable guards in accordance with EN 60947-5-3. It is approved for safe applications up to, Category 4 of EN 954-1, PL e of prEN ISO 13849-1 and SIL 3 of EN IEC 62061. Because the systems are monitored through a centralized safety network, Link increased safety standards they meet while keeping their safety footprint small and operation costs low. In the dynamometer operations, Link used Pilz’s PSENmag and PSENmech switches. The PSENmag is a non-contact, magnetic safety switch used to monitor the position of movable guards. The PSENmech ensures that the safety gate is interlocked (guard locking) until the hazardous process is complete. This allows Link to reduce the safety footprint as with their other machines, but it also gives them a greater degree of flexibility to setup dynamometer configurations. Link chose Pilz due to their proven track record of high quality products and support and the flexibility, easy setup and expandability Pilz products offer and because Pilz North America L.P. is a local company response times will be quick if technical problems arise.
LINK ENGINEERING COMPANY has been in operation since 1935 with offices around the globe. LINK designs, develops, manufactures, installs, and operates a wide array of test systems for the automotive, truck, railroad, and aerospace industries. They have provided test systems for brakes, transmissions, clutches, axles, driveline components, steering systems, springs, tires, wheels, and a variety of other components. LINK also provides testing services to a global customer base. For more information visit http://www.linkeng.com/.
Pilz offers a full range of leading-edge safe automation products and services. Products include sensor technology, electrical monitoring relays, and automation solutions with motion control, safety relays, programmable safety and control systems and an operating and monitoring range. Wireless and safe bus systems are also available for industrial networking.
Pilz also provides a comprehensive range of consulting, engineering and OSHA-approved training services. Pilz performs facility safety reviews for due diligence relating to mergers and acquisitions. For more information visit http://www.pilz.us/.
LINK ENGINEERING COMPANY has been in operation since 1935 with offices around the globe. LINK designs, develops, manufactures, installs, and operates a wide array of test systems for the automotive, truck, railroad, and aerospace industries. They have provided test systems for brakes, transmissions, clutches, axles, driveline components, steering systems, springs, tires, wheels, and a variety of other components. LINK also provides testing services to a global customer base. For more information visit http://www.linkeng.com/.
Pilz offers a full range of leading-edge safe automation products and services. Products include sensor technology, electrical monitoring relays, and automation solutions with motion control, safety relays, programmable safety and control systems and an operating and monitoring range. Wireless and safe bus systems are also available for industrial networking.
Pilz also provides a comprehensive range of consulting, engineering and OSHA-approved training services. Pilz performs facility safety reviews for due diligence relating to mergers and acquisitions. For more information visit http://www.pilz.us/.
Labels:
automotive,
dynamometer,
Link Engineering,
PNOZsigma,
PSENmag,
testing
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Nuclear scientists choose PSS programmable safety
|
For more information on the products mentioned in this article please email marketing@pilzusa.com
For more information on Pilz Services please email
consulting@pilzusa.com
Thursday, March 18, 2010
SafetyEYE® Monitors KUKA’s RoboTeam
KUKA RoboTeam in a jigless cell
A team of robots comprising two process robots and two handling robots welded the car door together in one work stage. Two jigless grippers combined to perform the geometric functions. The two gripper half shells were positioned by cooperating robots. The jigless bodyshop, therefore, is an innovative plant technology, which implements the very latest robot functionalities without the classic holding and clamping technology. The cycle time can be minimized through direct "geometric coupling". Autonomous control systems provide a high degree of flexibility. Cooperation between the team robots allows for highly flexible component positioning.
SafetyEYE® protects workers in the infeed areas
These days robots almost always work behind safety fences, screened from the application operator. New safety concepts such as SafetyEYE® help to do away with the fences and barriers that come between worker and robot. From above, SafetyEYE® simultaneously protects workers in both infeed areas independently. The operator enters the transfer area, where he is detected visually. This is safely recorded and the data is transmitted to the safety-related robot control system. The aim is to avoid a collision; this can be guaranteed by the robot's reduced traverse speed, based on the distance from the operator. As a result, the operator can insert the component directly into the robot's gripper. At the same time, the operator has free access and a clear view of the process.
Safety and Economy in Harmony
The robot's drives are safely deactivated while the component is inserted. If the worker leaves the infeed area's danger zone, the robot will slowly start to operate. As soon as the worker has left the warning zone, production will run at full speed. A safe stop in the infeed area / running the robot down safely while the workers are still in the infeed area saves on cycle times. As well as safeguarding the infeed area, safe robots also guarantee personal safety within the jigless cell through the software. As the robots can now move about close to the safety fence, the production area can be reduced, allowing for a compact body plant.
KUKA Robotics is the North American subsidiary of KUKA Roboter GmbH, one of the world´s largest robot manufacturers. Since building its first industrial robot in 1977, KUKA has earned an international reputation for robotic excellence. Virtually all of the 80,000 robots installed in the field use our PC-based controller, making KUKA the number one PC-controlled robot manufacturer in the world. KUKA offers a complete range of advanced design robots, covering all common payload categories, from 3 kg to 1,000 kg. Within this range you can always get the exact robot you need for your particular solution. Our PC-based controllers are easily expandable and offer cutting-edge technologies such as remote diagnostics, Windows interface, icon editor, fieldbuses, SoftPLC, OPC server.
A team of robots comprising two process robots and two handling robots welded the car door together in one work stage. Two jigless grippers combined to perform the geometric functions. The two gripper half shells were positioned by cooperating robots. The jigless bodyshop, therefore, is an innovative plant technology, which implements the very latest robot functionalities without the classic holding and clamping technology. The cycle time can be minimized through direct "geometric coupling". Autonomous control systems provide a high degree of flexibility. Cooperation between the team robots allows for highly flexible component positioning.
These days robots almost always work behind safety fences, screened from the application operator. New safety concepts such as SafetyEYE® help to do away with the fences and barriers that come between worker and robot. From above, SafetyEYE® simultaneously protects workers in both infeed areas independently. The operator enters the transfer area, where he is detected visually. This is safely recorded and the data is transmitted to the safety-related robot control system. The aim is to avoid a collision; this can be guaranteed by the robot's reduced traverse speed, based on the distance from the operator. As a result, the operator can insert the component directly into the robot's gripper. At the same time, the operator has free access and a clear view of the process.
The robot's drives are safely deactivated while the component is inserted. If the worker leaves the infeed area's danger zone, the robot will slowly start to operate. As soon as the worker has left the warning zone, production will run at full speed. A safe stop in the infeed area / running the robot down safely while the workers are still in the infeed area saves on cycle times. As well as safeguarding the infeed area, safe robots also guarantee personal safety within the jigless cell through the software. As the robots can now move about close to the safety fence, the production area can be reduced, allowing for a compact body plant.
KUKA Robotics is the North American subsidiary of KUKA Roboter GmbH, one of the world´s largest robot manufacturers. Since building its first industrial robot in 1977, KUKA has earned an international reputation for robotic excellence. Virtually all of the 80,000 robots installed in the field use our PC-based controller, making KUKA the number one PC-controlled robot manufacturer in the world. KUKA offers a complete range of advanced design robots, covering all common payload categories, from 3 kg to 1,000 kg. Within this range you can always get the exact robot you need for your particular solution. Our PC-based controllers are easily expandable and offer cutting-edge technologies such as remote diagnostics, Windows interface, icon editor, fieldbuses, SoftPLC, OPC server.
Labels:
Kuka,
robot workstation,
SafetyEYE
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Pilz and Komet: Modern Safety and Control Concept Leads to Greater Packaging Productivity
Faster, more flexible, safer – with this objective in mind, the level of automation on plant and machinery continues to advance in all industries. Both safety and control technology take these high requirements into account. If necessary, powerful components can be combined to form complete systems, which guarantee safety on the one hand, and can increase productivity on the other. If the user can adapt technology to suit his requirements, then he has a cost-effective, tailor-made solution. In many industries, packing is still associated with manual work. Where man and machine work together, the risk of injury must be minimized to the greatest possible extent. Safety devices used to be viewed as obstructive and inconvenient, but today the
opposite is true: modern safety and control concepts make handling easier, and plant and machinery more productive.
Faster thanks to the new safety concept
The semi-automatic vacuum-packing machine feeds in the bottom foil via a roller; it is then transported via a chain drive. The foil is brought up to temperature in the forming chamber; a special compressed air/forming procedure and the appropriate tool are used to create the desired tray shape for each packaged product. Staff use both hands to insert grilled sausages into the tray-shaped plastic film, six pieces per row and per pack, before the conveyor moves on and another set emerges from the forming station. After the filling station comes the sealing station: The top film seal is fed through a second roller; a vacuum pump extracts the air and thereby the oxygen. This slows down the activity of the micro- organisms, while the inflow of nitrogen prevents the sausage slices from sticking together. Finally, the top and bottom film layers are impulse sealed under pressure in the sealing chamber. The product packaging is now secure and durable. At the machine outfeed, longitudinal and transverse cutters separate the packaged product into individual trays, which are then fed into transport crates via conveyor. Two coils wind up the residual film cut from both sides. Sprinter is the name of the latest development from Komet, manufacturer of semi and fully automatic vacuum packaging machines. The company is based in Plochingen,Germany, and has its roots in the butchers' trade. It's in this field in particular that Komet's table-top units are used, as they provide an airtight seal for everything that needs to be kept fresh and preserved. Even in the butchers' industry there appears to be an irresistible trend away from the skilled producer and towards industrial production; customers increasingly ask for ready- packed goods, so Komet is increasingly focusing on semi and fully automatic machinery. Flexible and quick to convert, they can pack items in up to eight parallel trays, depending on the packaged product and the size, with or without automatic infeed. Even non-food goods can be packaged and sealed efficiently using automated packaging machines.
Another reason why the machine is called Sprint is because, in comparison to the previous model Quickvac 2000, it can convey products to their packaging more quickly, using a less complicated procedure. That's because of a modern safety and control concept, which Pilz developed for Komet. Designed for maximum compatibility: sensor technology, evaluation device and visualization o n the Sprinter, the multifunctional safety system PNOZmulti configures simpler, safer interaction between man and machine. The safety system has a modular structure and can be used flexibly to suit the application. Instead of wiring, the user configures the needed functions simply, in a configuration tool. This saves time, space and money because there is no longer any complex individual wiring and all the safety related functions are located in one housing. PNOZmulti is cost effective when monitoring four or more safety functions and can also undertake standard control tasks. By comparison the safety devices on its predecessor were simplistic and mainly based on individually wired switches and contactors. Large covers safeguarded wide-ranging potential danger zones such as the forming and sealing stations via switch contacts. The infeed area in between was narrow and only allowed a one-up arrangement.
On the Sprinter, the cover on the forming station is reduced to a minimum. Instead, an advance security slide ensures that it is impossible to reach into either the forming or the sealing station from the filling station. If the slide switch is not closed, the safety system will prevent the bottom film from being formed and stop pressing and heat-sealing in the sealing station. Propulsion drives and valves are switched off; the central PMI operator
terminal (Pilz Machine Interface) receives an error message, stating the cause and the source. Magnetic safety switches, PSENmag, monitor the mobile protective hood over the sealing station, the longitudinal and transverse cutters, and the lower positions of the lift cylinder plus the security slide on the forming/sealing station. The PNOZmulti also monitors the E-STOP and the enablers that control the heaters and valves (pneumatic + hydraulic). The risk of injury from the packaging machine, therefore, is kept to a minimum, both during operation and in setup mode. "With PNOZmulti the machine has a flexible safety concept which is really easy to adapt to our requirements. Now the infeed area has a three-up arrangement, so assembly is quicker and easier, plus the machine is more productive", says Harald Janke, Technical Manager at Komet.
Solution for safety and standard
A modern control solution also fell within the scope of the cooperation between Komet and Pilz. The standard control technology on the Sprinter also comes in useful for automatic operation and setup mode. "People at Komet were unhappy with the existing control solution and were looking for an efficient alternative", recalls Ralf Kessler, Applications Engineer at Pilz. Now they are using a PMI operator terminal in conjunction with a Profibus Master. A soft PLC runs under the Windows CE operating system. The standard I/O modules are logged and controlled via the PSSuniversal. The Pilz centralized control platform covers the whole I/O periphery as one system and is universally applicable. Users have three options: pure safety applications, combined safety and standard applications or exclusively conventional/standard control functions.
With the grey, standard head modules it is possible to use analog and digital standard inputs and outputs on the fieldbus systems, without a functional connection to the safety technology. On the Sprinter, the head module of the PSSuniversal is also connected to the PMI via Profibus-DP, just like the PNOZmulti. Due to the system's modular design, the PSSuniversal can be individually adapted specifically to meet the respective requirement. If any adaptations are required, modules can simply be expanded or exchanged.
Benefitting from expertise
Pilz was also contracted to complete the electrical design, prepare the circuit diagrams and carry out the programming, including commissioning. "As a small company with around 30 staff we are reliant on competent, reliable partners for our electrical design and programming; we need partners who know what's happening and know what's important to us", says Janke, "Here we found Pilz to be a suitable partner, their technical advice was superb and the collaboration with the Pilz staff ran smoothly." The competence of Komet in terms of automation technology, combined with Pilz's expertise in matters of control technology and safety, jointly produced a new vacuum packing machine that operates more productively and is therefore of greater value.
Pilz is a global company, as such, not all standards and information will be applicable worldwide. Please check with your local Pilz office to ensure your factory and/or machines meet local standards.
opposite is true: modern safety and control concepts make handling easier, and plant and machinery more productive.
Faster thanks to the new safety concept
The semi-automatic vacuum-packing machine feeds in the bottom foil via a roller; it is then transported via a chain drive. The foil is brought up to temperature in the forming chamber; a special compressed air/forming procedure and the appropriate tool are used to create the desired tray shape for each packaged product. Staff use both hands to insert grilled sausages into the tray-shaped plastic film, six pieces per row and per pack, before the conveyor moves on and another set emerges from the forming station. After the filling station comes the sealing station: The top film seal is fed through a second roller; a vacuum pump extracts the air and thereby the oxygen. This slows down the activity of the micro- organisms, while the inflow of nitrogen prevents the sausage slices from sticking together. Finally, the top and bottom film layers are impulse sealed under pressure in the sealing chamber. The product packaging is now secure and durable. At the machine outfeed, longitudinal and transverse cutters separate the packaged product into individual trays, which are then fed into transport crates via conveyor. Two coils wind up the residual film cut from both sides. Sprinter is the name of the latest development from Komet, manufacturer of semi and fully automatic vacuum packaging machines. The company is based in Plochingen,Germany, and has its roots in the butchers' trade. It's in this field in particular that Komet's table-top units are used, as they provide an airtight seal for everything that needs to be kept fresh and preserved. Even in the butchers' industry there appears to be an irresistible trend away from the skilled producer and towards industrial production; customers increasingly ask for ready- packed goods, so Komet is increasingly focusing on semi and fully automatic machinery. Flexible and quick to convert, they can pack items in up to eight parallel trays, depending on the packaged product and the size, with or without automatic infeed. Even non-food goods can be packaged and sealed efficiently using automated packaging machines.
Another reason why the machine is called Sprint is because, in comparison to the previous model Quickvac 2000, it can convey products to their packaging more quickly, using a less complicated procedure. That's because of a modern safety and control concept, which Pilz developed for Komet. Designed for maximum compatibility: sensor technology, evaluation device and visualization o n the Sprinter, the multifunctional safety system PNOZmulti configures simpler, safer interaction between man and machine. The safety system has a modular structure and can be used flexibly to suit the application. Instead of wiring, the user configures the needed functions simply, in a configuration tool. This saves time, space and money because there is no longer any complex individual wiring and all the safety related functions are located in one housing. PNOZmulti is cost effective when monitoring four or more safety functions and can also undertake standard control tasks. By comparison the safety devices on its predecessor were simplistic and mainly based on individually wired switches and contactors. Large covers safeguarded wide-ranging potential danger zones such as the forming and sealing stations via switch contacts. The infeed area in between was narrow and only allowed a one-up arrangement.
On the Sprinter, the cover on the forming station is reduced to a minimum. Instead, an advance security slide ensures that it is impossible to reach into either the forming or the sealing station from the filling station. If the slide switch is not closed, the safety system will prevent the bottom film from being formed and stop pressing and heat-sealing in the sealing station. Propulsion drives and valves are switched off; the central PMI operator
terminal (Pilz Machine Interface) receives an error message, stating the cause and the source. Magnetic safety switches, PSENmag, monitor the mobile protective hood over the sealing station, the longitudinal and transverse cutters, and the lower positions of the lift cylinder plus the security slide on the forming/sealing station. The PNOZmulti also monitors the E-STOP and the enablers that control the heaters and valves (pneumatic + hydraulic). The risk of injury from the packaging machine, therefore, is kept to a minimum, both during operation and in setup mode. "With PNOZmulti the machine has a flexible safety concept which is really easy to adapt to our requirements. Now the infeed area has a three-up arrangement, so assembly is quicker and easier, plus the machine is more productive", says Harald Janke, Technical Manager at Komet.
Solution for safety and standard
A modern control solution also fell within the scope of the cooperation between Komet and Pilz. The standard control technology on the Sprinter also comes in useful for automatic operation and setup mode. "People at Komet were unhappy with the existing control solution and were looking for an efficient alternative", recalls Ralf Kessler, Applications Engineer at Pilz. Now they are using a PMI operator terminal in conjunction with a Profibus Master. A soft PLC runs under the Windows CE operating system. The standard I/O modules are logged and controlled via the PSSuniversal. The Pilz centralized control platform covers the whole I/O periphery as one system and is universally applicable. Users have three options: pure safety applications, combined safety and standard applications or exclusively conventional/standard control functions.
With the grey, standard head modules it is possible to use analog and digital standard inputs and outputs on the fieldbus systems, without a functional connection to the safety technology. On the Sprinter, the head module of the PSSuniversal is also connected to the PMI via Profibus-DP, just like the PNOZmulti. Due to the system's modular design, the PSSuniversal can be individually adapted specifically to meet the respective requirement. If any adaptations are required, modules can simply be expanded or exchanged.
Benefitting from expertise
Pilz was also contracted to complete the electrical design, prepare the circuit diagrams and carry out the programming, including commissioning. "As a small company with around 30 staff we are reliant on competent, reliable partners for our electrical design and programming; we need partners who know what's happening and know what's important to us", says Janke, "Here we found Pilz to be a suitable partner, their technical advice was superb and the collaboration with the Pilz staff ran smoothly." The competence of Komet in terms of automation technology, combined with Pilz's expertise in matters of control technology and safety, jointly produced a new vacuum packing machine that operates more productively and is therefore of greater value.
Pilz is a global company, as such, not all standards and information will be applicable worldwide. Please check with your local Pilz office to ensure your factory and/or machines meet local standards.
Labels:
Komet,
Packaging,
PNOZmulti,
Profibus,
PSSuniversal
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Keeping it Safe: Pilz Keeps an Eye on Robots
This year Ford kicked it up a notch at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The exhibit was 48 percent larger than last year with 24 interactive displays, including; Active Park Assist Technology, the Control Blade Challenge and touch-screen digital displays. With all of the excitement in the booth, the highlight of the show was the EcoBoost Engine display. The center of attention, ABB robots “Eco” and “Boost” showed off the components of Ford’s new engine technology. EcoBoost can deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy, 15 percent lower CO2 emissions, and improved driving performance when compared to larger displacement engines. The two robots from Cleveland Stamping Plant #1 took on lives of their own while interacting with the audience and product specialists. How was visitor safety ensured? Pilz Automation Safety L.P. provided the display with SafetyEYE™, nicknamed “eyes in the sky” to ensure nothing entered the area over the cell. The robot control ran with an ATI tool changer end effector safety monitored by PSS 3000 to pick up parts and engines to present them to the audience. The Pilz PSS3000 was connected to the I/O proximity switches which sensed the part position to provide safe handling of the parts. The Pilz PLC was utilized as the main controller for both safe and standard functions controlling and ensuring all safety device functions. PITmode and PSENslock from Pilz were integrated into the PSS3000 to provide access control to the cell doors. PITmode was utilized as a multifunction HMI for switching between manual and automatic modes, resetting errors, starting up robots and request to enter and lock/unlock the gate. The PITmode is an operating mode selector switch which provides two functions in one unit, the selection of operating mode and authorization control for machine access. The PITmode was the result of a joint effort with Ford Powertrain Engineers and Pilz Development. “In the real world of a plant SafetyEYE™ could have eliminated hard guarding, in this case the glass fencing. ABB’s Safe Motion technology in conjunction with SafetyEYE™ provides a comprehensive robot cell that eliminates the use of standard guarding. This is really a great partnership for all parties involved,” said Rick Pryce, business development manager for Pilz Automation Safety L.P.
For more information about Pilz Automation Safety L.P. or any of the products used in the display visit www.pilz.us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)




