Innovative safety engineering protects people, machinery and processes while meeting the latest communication standards in automated production. For Euchner, this year’s automatica trade show is all about “Smart Safety” and the company’s latest innovations for communication via IO-Link, AS-i Safety at Work and common fieldbus systems. Featured trade show products include the new and compact CTS high-performance safety guard locking device and the successful MGB2 Modular safety door system, which is now compatible with EtherCAT/ FSoE and EtherCAT P/ FSoE too. What’s more, the company will show examples demonstrating all the ways users can benefit from IO-Link in industrial safety engineering. Euchner Safety Services machinery safety experts will also be on hand to present the company’s wide range of engineering services for machine manufacturers and operating organizations.

One fits all – the compact, flexible CTS safety switch
The CTS safety switch is one of the latest developments in transponder-coded safety guard locking. Measuring only 135 by 31 by 31 mm and featuring a locking force up to 3,900 N, plus diverse mounting options, this switch is versatile enough for almost any application. The CTS can be mounted in three directions to protect both hinged and sliding doors. Users can also add an escape release at any time. This transponder-coded safety switch with guard locking provides maximum safety.
The CTS FlexFunction switch also combines in a single device multiple functions otherwise available only in separate variants. With or without guard lock monitoring and with a high or low coding level for actuator code evaluation – the choice is up to the user with CTS. Functions are selected by choosing the appropriate actuator. As with most Euchner switches, the CTS also features a variety of connection options. Combining the CTS with a Euchner IO-Link Gateway gives it the additional benefit of communicating in Industry 4.0 applications.

IO-Link is the future
All Euchner Smart Safety solutions can communicate via IO-Link as standard. Reading process and device data from a safety switch is simple with an IO-Link Gateway from Euchner. Data and information are transferred to the IO-Link master in real time, and from there to the various fieldbus systems. Process data includes all status signals indicating the door or guard locking position or whether a switch is out of adjustment, for example. Additionally, acyclical services can collect environmental data such as the switch temperature, applied voltage, number of switching cycles and other values. Communicating via IO-Link enhances flexibility and efficiency in automated production. Installing or replacing devices is a snap. The data are an effective preventive maintenance tool enabling the user to increase machine availability and boost productivity.