Micromax Sensors & Automation announces that Banner Engineering Corp. has expanded its Ez-Screen family of safety light screens to include low-profile models, which pair a space-saving footprint—ideal for safeguarding of smaller machines—with reliable performance suited even for large power presses. The first and last beams of the new Ez-Screen Low Profile (LP) are positioned at the ends of the light screen, delivering continuous detection along the entire light screen length and eliminating the dead zones found on traditional safety light curtains.
“In many safeguarding applications, space can be limited,” said Mike Carlson, Technical Manager for Banner’s Safety Products. “In these cases, the safety light screen might need to be positioned within the frame of the machine. With traditional safety light curtains, this would result in a gap, or dead zone, in the opening of the machine that could lead to a hazardous situation.” Carlson added, “The Ez-Screen LP safety light screen solves this problem with a compact 28 x 26 mm housing and end-to-end sensing, while maximizing ease of installation and flexibility.”
The Ez-Screen LP safety light screen offers exceptional versatility with 14 or 25 mm resolution models, defined areas from 270 to 1810 mm and detection ranges up to 7 m with excellent excess gain to solve a variety of application needs. The interconnection of cascade sensors has also been optimized with no big cable loops, allowing up to four sensor pairs and an Emergency Stop or interlocking guard switches to be connected at the end sensor. Also, there are models with nickel-plated housing for ESD-safe applications, clear anodized aluminium housing or “safety” yellow powder-coat housing.
The mounting scheme includes brackets for end or side mounting with no dead zone, both styles included with each sensor. Additional mounting options include a “Universal” adapter bracket for mounting to slotted framing, a solution for mounting the sensor inside tubular framing such as P1000 Unistrut, and fixed or pivoting angle brackets to make installation of cascade sensors quick and easy.
The Ez-Screen LP offers the high performance and convenient features expected of Ez-Screen safety light screens, including simple alignment and setup, flexible wiring to allow emitters and receivers to be used interchangeably, easily configured reduced resolution and fixed blanking, and cascading. Blocked beams are identified using zone indicators, and a 7-segment display shows diagnostic information and number of blocked beams.
Applications: The Ez-Screen LP safety light screen delivers reliable safeguarding in a wide range of applications, including:
- Small assembly equipment
- Pick-and-place machines
- Power and moulding presses
- Palletisers and packaging machinery
- Roll formers
- Automated production equipment
- Lean and robotic work cells