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Americanmachinist 3087 Guarding10101png00000000722
Americanmachinist 3087 Guarding10101png00000000722
Americanmachinist 3087 Guarding10101png00000000722
Americanmachinist 3087 Guarding10101png00000000722

Optoelectronic devices

Sept. 1, 1999
Laser scanner The new FF-SE series safety laser scanner from the Micro Switch Div. of Honeywell Inc., Freeport, Ill., combines radar and laser principles to scan computer-defined areas around machinery. Capable of making 300° sweeps
Laser scanner
The new FF-SE series safety laser scanner from the Micro Switch Div. of Honeywell Inc., Freeport, Ill., combines radar and laser principles to scan computer-defined areas around machinery. Capable of making 300° sweeps

while detecting objects of 1.8% minimum reflectivity (a black target), the scanner can pinpoint intrusions to within 0.5° deflection. It can locate objects with an accuracy of ±400 mm at maximum range.

Access and perimeter guarding
The Access-Guard Mini-Screen from Banner Engineering Corp., Minneapolis, generates an eight-beam, horizontal screen of infrared light. When a beam is broken, the system automatically sends a stop signal to the guarded machine.

Designed to guard the entrances of robot work-cells, palletizers, and other large machines, the system consists of a 4.5-in. Mini-Screen safety light screen, mirrors, brackets, stands, and hardware. The standard system has a range of 15 ft; a long-range version has a 40-ft range.

Sensing with light
Designed for perimeter guarding, the PSD-600 series of light curtains detects the intrusion of a person or equipment into a hazardous area. Made by Rockford Systems

Inc., Rockford, Ill., the PSD-600 series light bar pairs come in a 24, 36, or 40-in. field of coverage.

Modular light curtain
The PJ-V safety light curtains are comprised of 80-mm-long expansion units that plug together. The system's operating range is 7 m, with a maximum detection zone of 1,260 mm. The curtains are manufactured by Keyence Corp. of America, Woodcliff, N.J.

Safety in a small package
The FGS light curtain is a small, self-contained unit that needs no factory-supplied control unit. The curtain, made by Sick Optic-Electronic Inc., Bloomington, Minn., consists of a sender and receiver pair. The pair create a protective field that, when interrupted, signals a machine to stop.

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