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Overview of light curtains and muting September 26 2024 | Blog Post, Venus Automation As discussed in our two previous blog posts, safety light curtains from ReeR are an effective and innovative method to protect workers from hazardous environments. Light curtains create 2-dimensional planes of infrared beams that project between an emitter and a receiver. Dependent on the application, ReeR offer light curtains that are programmable, and trigger an output signal when a number of beams – consecutive or random – are obstructed. These output signals can then be used as logic input for safety PLCs and relays, such as controllers offered by Wieland and ReeR. For more detail on the general functionality of safety light curtains, read here.    For more specific applications of light curtains, where combinations of consecutive blocked beams are acceptable and do not pose as a hazard, light curtains need to discern what is permissible and what is not. This is where muting light curtains prove their value. Muting is the automated, partial suspension of light curtain beams. Light curtains, such as ReeR’s SAFEGATE, are offered with integrated muting arms. These muting arms can be oriented in either parallel or crossed patterns, such that obstructions of certain dimension/orientation can be recognised as hazardous or not. Onboard the muting arms are photocells, which project between one another to create a mutable area of the light curtain. The muting arm photocells belong to ReeR’s MICRON family of measurement light curtains, which is better explored here.     Muting will occur when the beams aboard the muting arms are blocked, effectively negating any output by the light curtain. This will allow only certain objects to pass through without triggering the light curtain’s safety output signal.    Depending on the automated process, objects passing through a light curtain may be repeatedly entering and exiting: passing back and forth through a light curtains protected area. Therefore, SAFEGATE muting arms are offered in configurations that for one-way and two-way muting. SAFEGATE light curtains from ReeR are also capable of long-range projection of up to 80 metres. Thus, they prove useful in large-scale industrial operations; safeguarding large spans of manufacturing areas without the need for additional light curtain’s in series.  Muting – Parallel or crossed beam? Muting arms onboard ReeR SAFEGATE light curtains, as mentioned before, are offered in either parallel or crossed beam configurations. These differ in that they require different conditions to trigger a muting cycle. A parallel or sequential arrangement of the muting beams triggers a muting cycle when beams are obstructed in a specific sequence. If you were to place muting beams parallel to each other, each one would need to be blocked one after another for the light curtain to recognise it as requiring muting; and its width would not be a factor in this.  Meanwhile, crossed beam muting configurations will only mute an incoming/outcoming object when both beems are blocked simultaneously. When boxes move along a conveyor, a SAFEGATE light curtain with crossed beam muting could be used discern between correctly and irregularly shaped items on the conveyor. Cross muting beams require simultaneous blocking to mute the safety output of the light curtain, and thus the width of the shape passing through the muting arms then becomes important. That means that misoriented objects (which will have an unacceptable width) will not be muted. Crossed beam muting thus adds an extra constraint to when muting will occur, ensuring accuracy, safety, and reliability of an assembly line.  How Cross Beam Muting Works Video Selecting the right light curtain – safety or measurement? It is very easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of models and options for safety light curtain, and measurement light curtain offered by ReeR. Though visually and operationally similar, there are some distinct differences in the specific applications each family of light curtain is best suited to.    Measurement Light Curtain (ReeR MICRON): Measurement light curtains from ReeR are highly versatile light curtains for industrial/manufacturing line measurement applications. They come in a variety of sizes (both length, and resolution) to effectively count and dimension objects that pass through it. In automated systems like conveyors and assembly lines, ReeR MICRON can be hardware/software configured to determine if measurements are within tolerance, objects are aligned and oriented correctly, and differentiate between different items on the line. They are offered in varying current and varying voltage output models, and one final model which has 2 antivalent outputs, and the option for programmability. ReeR MICRON measurement light curtains are NOT safety rated.    General Purpose Safety Light Curtain (ReeR EOS2, EOS4): ReeR’s EOS series of safety light curtain are a prolific and popular option for general purpose safeguarding. They come in a variety of sizes and resolutions for finger, hand and body protection (14, 30, 90mm). Furthermore, they are also offered in multi-beam configurations for access control. The EOS series are compact and straightforward to use, but do not feature any advanced control options such as muting. EOS light curtains are offered in safety categorys of Type 2 and Type 4. Thus, scenarios that call for higher standards of safety are well serviced by EOS safety light curtains.    Safety Light Curtain with Muting (ReeR SAFEGATE): ReeR SAFEGATE light curtains, as discussed in this blog, are highly capable, large scale safety light curtains. They are offered in various, often multibeam resolutions for large scale, industrial automation applications. Three of the four SAFEGATE safety light curtain models come native with integration options for muting. In applications such as conveyor belts, SAFEGATE safety light curtains will differentiate between shapes of acceptable dimensions and orientation. SAFEGATE light curtains have long range capabilities, and are well suited to creating long-distance, safeguarded areas that should not be crossed during machine operation.  Reer safegate light curtain models SAFEGATE S SAFEGATE SM SAFEGATE SMO SAFEGATE SMPO Description The SAFEGATE S series of light curtains from ReeR are a more basic, standard option for safety light curtains with muting. They come standrad with Type 4 SIL 3 safety ratings, and feature the most basic form of muting functions, two-sensor muting. The use of the SAFEGATE S is generally used for straightforward safety requirements, such as guarding dangerous areas and access points.  Specifications Voltage: 24V DC Connectivity: M12 12-pin, M12 5-pin Outputs: 2 Static PNP outputs Protected Height(s): 510-1800

SAFETY & MEASUREMENT light curtains overview SAFETY September 09 2024 | Blog Post, Venus Automation In manufacturing and automated industries, the criticality of worker safety remains prevalent; and machinery that presents as hazardous during operations thus needs to be safeguarded with boundaries put in place. Even at the best of times, an unknowing factory visitor or a simply zoned out operator who has lost focus is all that it takes for an accident to happen. Thus, ‘out-of-bounds’ areas present as crucial in keeping humans safe around machines to upkeep proper procedure, functionality, and efficiency. This is where light curtains from ReeR come into play. Offered in various configurations for a variety of applications, ReeR light curtains think safety even when humans forget to.    Utilising projection of infrared beams (of which the number and spacing is application-dependent), ReeR light curtains work to change output voltage signals which can then be used as logic inputs for safety PLCs and relays. This technology proves its usefulness in guarding humans from hazardous machinery, creating boundaries, guarding perimeters, and creating conditions that would halt machinery if an unusual object (that does not satisfy the light curtain’s conditions) is detected in an assembly line.    In automated processes, precision measurement is required to accurately detect/verify the profile and position of objects. Whether it be counting and sorting the number of different objects passing through an area such as a conveyor belt, or monitoring the levels of materials/pallets, light curtains prove their value. ReeR products such as the MICRON are light curtains with configurations dedicated to precision measurement and monitoring.    Light Curtains and their use in Industry In industrial and automation applications, light curtains provide a critical layer of safety – and can also be used for precise measurement. In safety, light curtains enable a seamless communication between the operator environment, machines, and safety relays. Utilising the projection (transmission) and reception of infrared beams across a plane of beams, the voltage output of a light curtain can be monitored and use as logical input for safety PLCs. Dependening on the configuration of the light curtain, the spacing of the beams can trigger a safety output (halting of operations), for something as small as a finger to something as large as one’s whole body.  Furthermore, measurement light curtains can be used in counting, dimensioning, and automating robots; such as an AGV (automated guided vehicle) using onboard light curtains to measure heights, distances, and widths to determine its next actions. Measurement light curtains are often found in automated, conveyor style machinery as well; where the light curtains can be used to ensure that items passing through its field are counted, positioned, and oriented correctly.  Key overview of REER LIGHT CURTAINS Purpose and Function ReeR light curtains are crucial for ensuring safety and precision in industrial environments. Concerning the safety of the automated environment, a ReeR light curtain can detect objects the size of fingers, hands, or whole bodies. These light curtains can then be placed at out-of-bounds areas that should not be crossed during machinery operating. Upon detecting an object passing through this boundary, light curtains can then signal for machinery to stop – separating humans from hazards.  Light curtains work on the principle of line-of-sight transmission. With one end of the light curtain projecting (emitter) beams across to the other (the receiver). Each beam constitutes the total voltage reading sent by the receiver via a cable, and blocking these cables will change the voltage output. The simplicity of this voltage change facilitates a rapidly available signal for monitoring via safety PLCs; enabling an effectively instantaneous action in response to a beam being blocked.  Applications ReeR light curtains are offered in several varieties. The EOS series light curtains are compact photoelectric sensors, and are used when space is a premium. Often used for machine guarding, EOS light curtains can monitor the upper, middle, and lower sections of a boundary area. EOS light curtains are also offered in a master-slave configuration, and can thus be run in series and span long distances to create large, safeguarded boundaries. Offered in two degrees of safety categorisation, depending on the application, an EOS light curtain is guaranteed to safely work and, should failure come, it will fail safe.  ReeR’s SAFEGATE series are a family of light curtains that can be operated over large distances – up to 80 metres. SAFEGATE light curtains are often used for their muting functions, which use mounted parallel or crossed beams emitted from ‘muting arms’ to permit certain objects through the light curtain without causing a trip signal. SAFEGATE are highly safe, robust light curtains that are offered in programmable variants, allowing for a customisable light curtain using a computer.    ReeR’s ADMIRAL light curtains are larger units reserved for higher-risk environments, making it suitable for demanding industrial settings. Variants of the Admiral are offered with watertight housings and can operate at long distances (depending on the variant, this is 25 or 80 metres). ReeR Admiral variants offer a dual-beam system, making it ideal for outdoor applications and harsh environments – where the dual beams will reduce the sensitivity of the curtain to avoid false-trips due to outdoor elements such as birds, leaves, and inclement weather.  features Muting: ReeR light curtains such as the SAFEGATE SMO include the option for separately sold muting arms. These muting arms work by projecting either parallel or dual-cross beams, and work with the light curtain to permit objects of certain heights and widths to pass through the light curtains without causing a fault/trip.  Safety Compliance: The majority of ReeR light curtains, such as the SAFEGATE, the Admiral, and the EOS4 are offered at a safety level of Category 4 or PL e. Beam Count/Resolution: ReeR light curtains can be fitted with a variety of beams, the spacing of these beams is offered in a variety of resolutions. Resolution is simply the number of beams there are over a given space, and are what determines the size at which an object will be detected by the light curtain. An example of this includes ReeR’s EOS4, which is offered in resolutions (beam spacings) of 14mm, 30mm, and 90mm.    Programming: Products such as ReeR’s SAFEGATE SMPO are fully programmable. They offer an IDE (integrated development environment), called Safegate Configurator –