Type 4 light curtains driving for greater safety and higher productivity
The interference prevention function and the high level of resistance to disturbance from extraneous light which have been used with such success in the previous SF4-A series have been carried over into the SF4B series, along with a variety of new features that further enhance productivity, such as more compact machine tool size due to a reduction in the safety distance and a built-in muting unit function.Also, the unit length equals the protective height, so that no dead zone can occur in the interfaces between light curtains when units are connected in a series. This feature makes for more efficient mounting. Errors can be spotted easily thanks to its built-in digital indicator lights.

For your safety
In using the light curtain, please establish the control system to satisfy below items in order to ensure safety with the total system.

Conforming to Machine Directive & EMC Directive	Approved Listing

FEATURE

3 types of light curtains available

3 types of minimum sensing object light curtains are made available.
Select the type most appropriate for your equipment.

Finger protection Type	Hand protection Type	Arm/Foot protection Type

Safety distance greatly shortened to improve productivity!

The finger protection type can detect very small objects with diameters of as small as 14 mm 0.551 in, so that the safety distance based on the ISO 13855 international standard has been shortened from previous models to a maximum of 122 mm 4.803 in. With production machinery becoming more compact,this helps contribute to improved productivity and more efficient utilization of space.

Unit length = protective height, so mounting is possible with no dead zone.

Unit length = protective height, so that no dead zone can occur in the interfaces between light curtains when units are connected in series. The equipment can be used with confidence because there are no dangerous openings resulting from dead zone.

A muting control function is provided to increase both safety and productivity.

The light curtain is equipped with a muting control function that causes the line to stop only when a human body passes through the light curtain, and does not stop the line when a workpiece passes through. The muting sensors and muting indicators can be connected directly to the light curtain, so that a special controller is not required for muting. This both reduces costs and increases safety and productivity.

*Avoiding line stoppages when a workpiece passes through The light curtain has a built-in muting function that causes the light curtain to ignore workpiece when two or more of the four muting sensors are interrupted simultaneously as a result of a workpiece passing by. This prevents the line from stopping when a workpiece passes through the light curtain, thereby maintaining productivity. When a person passes through the light curtain, two or more of the muting sensors are not interrupted, and so the muting function is not activated.

Reduces malfunction due to mutual interference and extraneous light

The light curtain is equipped with the ELCA (Extraneous Light Check & Avoid) function which has already gained strong approval in the marketplace for its powerful suppression of mutual interference between sensors. Because it automatically shifts the scan timing of the light curtain in order to avoid interference, it is not necessary to wire interference prevention lines between machineries, so that the sensors can be positioned with much greater flexibility.

A double scanning method and retry processing are two new functions exclusive to SUNX that have been established in the workplace as being effective in eliminating the effects of momentary extraneous light from peripheral equipment. The reduction in operating errors caused by extraneous light reduces frequent stopping of machinery and helps to prevent losses in line operating efficiency.

Equipped with a digital error indicator so that error details can be understood at a glance!

The system constantly checks the light curtain for problems such as incorrect cable wiring, disconnection and short-circuits, and also for internal circuit problems and incoming light problems. If a problem should occur, the same output (OFF signal) as when the object was detected is maintained in order to ensure safety, and the details of the error appear on the digital display. The error details can be checked at a glance without the inconvenience of the previous method of counting the number of LED blinks, so that smooth support is possible if problems occur at startup and during maintenance operations, even if assistance is given via telephone.

The beam-axis alignment indicators that incident light position can be seen at a glance

Beam-axis alignment indicators display the beam channels of the light curtain in four blocks. When the beam channel at the bottom edge (or top edge) that is used as a reference for beam-axis alignments correctly aligned, the LED blinks red. After this, each block lights red as the beam channels successively become aligned, and when all beam channels are aligned, all LEDs light green. The display also has a stability indicator (STB) added so that setup can be carried out with greater stability too.

Supports both PNP and NPN polarities in a single model

The SF4B series combines PNP transistor output and NPN transistor output in a single model. Overseas equipment that uses PNP, replacement with NPN sensors, factories that are positively grounded, and transfer of equipment overseas are all situations where the control circuits for a single model are suitable for use worldwide.

Courtesy of Sunx