Industrial Automation Magazine India

New modular and flexible machine safety solution

Published on : Sunday 27-12-2020

The new Flexi Compact safety controller from SICK offers scalability and functionality suited for any application.

Minneapolis, Minn., December 2020 – The Flexi Compact from SICK is a new modular safety controller distinguished by its improved usability and safety engineering. It enables users of automated machines to operate more productively with the scalable performance and intelligent diagnostic functions of the safety controller.

A safety controller is the central component of every safety application. It evaluates the information from the safety-certified optical sensors and switches. Its safety function guarantees the safe response of all connected actuators. The new Flexi Compact is a safety controller for machines with medium to complex safety logic. It offers exceptional user-friendliness, flexibility, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. The Flexi Compact also integrates into a variety of fieldbuses and Industry 4.0 applications. Common applications include compact systems, robots, packaging machines, and basic motion control.

The new Flexi Compact safety controller offers users in the machine building sector improved usability in many areas. The modular hardware platform enables integration in a flexible, application-appropriate, and cost-efficient manner. If the demands on the safety controller increase, it can subsequently be adapted or extended by up to 12 modules. The Safety Designer engineering tool with its certified function blocks guarantees intuitive, fast, and easy configuration and documentation of the safety logic via drag and drop.

The application-optimised slim housing saves space in the control cabinet. Front connectors can be assembled in advance and allow simple, time-, and cost-efficient wiring. Easily coded slots offer additional installation safety. The TFT display visualises all relevant inputs and settings during commissioning and servicing, which enables fast setup as well as immediate use of the safety controller.

Protective devices with a faster response time are able to be installed closer to the machine. This reduces the installation footprint. Thanks to its fast response times, Flexi Compact supports this type of space-saving machine and safety design.

Its safety-certified high-speed backplane
Its safety-certified high-speed backplane bus is characterised by its short response times. This enables optimisation of safety distances to the machine and allows for shorter cycle times in highly dynamic processes. Gateways in commonly used fieldbus environments and automation systems allow sensor information and machine data to be continuously provided to Industry 4.0 applications.