Electro-sensitive safety equipment protects hazardous points on machines and is capable, in many cases, of enhancing their flexibility, operating ergonomics, and economic efficiency. With the new IP69K housing, SICK now makes these benefits accessible to the area of food & beverage as well. Resistant materials, the construction suitable for food and cleaning processes, and an IP69K enclosure rating of the protective housing allow using the C2000 and C4000 micro safety light curtains as well as the M 4000 multiple light beam safety device even in the harshest conditions – without a best-before date but with maximum availability.

Whether the C2000, C4000 micro, or M2000 – in addition to machine safety, electro-sensitive protective equipment such as that produced by SICK offers the benefit that the respective machine is easily and ergonomically accessible for operating, cleaning, or resetting purposes. Thanks to the new IP69K housing, it is now possible to realize the extra productivity that results from doing without mechanical protective barriers, e.g. doors and hatches, even in the harsh operating environment of the food & beverage sector.

Reliable availability due to certified resistance

Filling plants in breweries, dairies, and at beverage producers, cutting and processing machines in the meat industry, or production and packaging facilities for pasta, baked goods, and other food items – in these and many other areas of the food and beverage industries, external cleaning prevails, i.e. cleaning and disinfecting of external plant elements with highly effective cleansing and disinfecting agents. Accordingly, the compact and space-saving IP69K housing from SICK, designed for this operating environment, stands out due to its food-compatible construction on the one hand. All of the components are designed gap-free in accordance with the safety and hygienic requirements for food equipment, EN 1672 -1 and –2, thus facilitating cleaning work and reliably preventing inaccessible dirt deposits. Beyond that, independent certificates from Ecolab and Johnson Diversey confirm the high resistance level of the materials used, including PMMA for the Plexiglas tube and stainless steel V4A for the end caps. In the latter, PreVent® membranes made of Gore-Tex® prevent the formation of condensation inside the housing that might result in the Plexiglas fogging up. Another point worth highlighting is the fact that as a complete system this IP69K housing solution features an IP69K enclosure rating – i.e. of the housing including the special connection cable used. As a result, it can withstand even high-pressure washers up to 100 bar and water temperatures up to 80°C, thus guaranteeing maximum availability of the protective equipment on the machine.

Safety and availability without best-before date

The IP69K housing makes it possible to install and integrate the mentioned safety light curtains and multiple light beam safety devices from SICK easily into machine or plant control systems. Operators benefit not only from machine safety without a best-before date but also from countless operating advantages on the machine; they optimize its flexibility and productivity, thus ensuring more economic efficiency.