First Ethernet-compliant laser safety scanners allow monitoring from afar

RS Components has added an industry first to its machine guarding and safety portfolio: Ethernet-compliant laser scanners that dramatically simplify management of safety zones on factory floors. The Omron OS32C safety laser scanners provide compact and versatile presence detection to protect machine operators and factory staff. By integrating an Ethernet interface, the scanners allow easy configuration via a remote PC with few inputs required. Supervisors can monitor status from the desktop and analyse the causes of any emergency stops, which helps improve safety practices and reporting. Multiple OS32Cs can be connected to the LAN and monitored in turn. Each sensor allows one safety zone of up to four metres radius and two warning zones of up to 15 metres, and can generate an alarm sounder, speed-control signal or emergency stop if zone conditions are breached. It is also capable of direction monitoring, and can detect intrusion from either side thanks to the generous 270°detection angle. The OS32C comprises a detachable sensor block and an I/O block, which stores the configuration. This allows fast and easy replacement of any damaged sensors, with no reprogramming required. The I/O block is available with rear or side cable entry for extra flexibility. At 104.5mm diameter, weighing 1.3kg, and drawing only 5W active and 3.75W standby power consumption, the sensors are easy both to handle and install, says the company.