Scalable safety control
October 2008
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Flexi Soft – the safety controller that makes it easy.
The new Flexi Soft is a powerful, modular and easily commissioned safety controller, which can be efficiently adapted to the requirements of a wide variety of safety applications.
The modular hardware platform allows the compact safety controller to be expanded module-by-module, right up to the highest safety level; and intuitive user software makes it easy to combine function blocks and logic functions. The design of safe system solutions is thus considerably simplified.
Integration in fieldbus environments and the corresponding bidirectional communication between sensors, actuators and controllers makes Flexi Soft particularly interesting for small to medium-sized machines.
Wiring via drag and drop
The safety controller consists of a CPU that is expanded using plug-in I/O modules and gateways. Configuration is done via the user interface; the necessary sensors and actuators can easily be ‘wired’ to the previously selected Flexi Soft module using drag and drop, and then parameterised. The next step involves configuration of the safety application via the Logic Editor, which offers a large variety of logic and function blocks that allow even highly complex linkages to be created and transparently displayed. The complete configuration is stored on a separate memory plug that is connected to the safety controller using a plug-in terminal. As the power is also supplied via this plug, any device replacement required can be achieved without wiring effort – ensuring maximum possible system availability.
I/O configuration
The Flexi Soft CPU, optionally also available with two integrated enhanced function interfaces (EFIs), is designed for the connection of 12 Flexi Soft modules; defining the system I/O limit as 96 inputs and 48 outputs. Multichannel input and mixed I/O modules, relay modules and fieldbus modules are available. When using intelligent safety sensors from SICK (such as S300 or S3000 safety laser scanners, or the C4000 safety light curtain) users can select the safety controller with EFI. In this case, the electro-sensitive protection devices communicate directly with the controller; requiring only an I/O module to which the various actuators can be connected to output the switching signals.
Expansion modules
On the input side expansion modules permit the integration of numerous safety sensors. These include almost the entire sensor portfolio from SICK – ie, safety switches and safety locking devices, safety position and hinge switches, non-contact safety switches and safety operating devices, as well as almost all the electro-sensitive protective devices such as laser scanners, camera systems, light curtains, as well as single-beam and multiple-beam safety devices. It is also possible to integrate safety sensors from other suppliers, eg, pressure mats or two-hand controls.
Communication interfaces
Depending on the task, the Flexi Soft can be operated with or without bus integration. In the former case, all modules are equipped with a bidirectional communication interface.
The possibility of data transmission offers a wide variety of supplementary benefits, including comprehensive diagnosis of all control and sensor functions and display of process information. In addition to the typical process and diagnostic data that the Flexi Soft system provides to a higher order controller via an appropriate fieldbus connection, commands can also be processed in the Flexi Soft Logic Editor.
For more information contact Jendamark Automation, +27 (0)41 391 4700, [email protected], www.sick.com
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