Pilz has expanded its range of hardware, but at the same time made sure that every automation function – from the simple to the complex – can be configured universally and uniformly with just one software package.
A small PNOZmulti
The PNOZmulti Mini is the latest addition to the hugely successful PNOZmulti range; with a width of just 45 mm it is considerably smaller than the 134 mm wide PNOZmulti. And it is 100 per cent compatible, which means that it can also be configured using the proven software tool, the PNOZmulti Configurator.
The PNOZmulti Mini was developed mainly for use in stand-alone machines in all areas of engineering. In addition to monitoring safety functions such as emergency stop, safety gates or light beam devices, it can also perform machine control tasks thanks to its logic functions. The PNOZmulti Mini is an attractive economic solution as soon as there are more than two functions to monitor.
The display on the front panel shows information on all signal states as well as error stack entries. Clear, easily understandable diagnostic messages reduce troubleshooting and increase availability. What’s more, the user program’s CRC check sum and creation date can be read simply by pressing the rotary knob. That way you can quickly detect any changes made in the interim. This increases security against manipulation, which is difficult to achieve via the wiring on classic solutions. As with the PNOZmulti, the user program is stored on a chip card, so it can easily be transferred from one unit to another. This is of particular interest when servicing, as no software tool is required when exchanging units.
From simple to complex – universal hardware for every automation requirement
In 2002 Pilz launched the first freely configurable safety relay on the market with the PNOZmulti: compact, modular and with configuration software that was child's play to operate. Over the past seven years it has been developed into a configurable control system, thanks to numerous suggestions from users. Now the PNOZmulti series alone offers four different base units: the starter version PNOZmulti Mini, an expandable and networkable version plus two industry-specific types. The latter are designed with appropriate software blocks, specifically for use on presses and burner controls. There's also a wide range of special modules, to detect and monitor speeds, for example. PNOZmulti has proved itself in many areas of automation technology – there are now more than 100,000 base units in use.
And the Swabian family business is continuing the success story of the PNOZmulti with its new automation system PSS4000. PSS4000 can be used to implement all machine control and safety technology functions, including motion control, diagnostics and visualisation. What’s special about it: you can use all the benefits of a decentralised control structure without increasing the complexity, which has been the problem until now. For this is where the software platform PAS4000 comes into play. With this system, users can not only maintain an overview of a decentralised automation system with distributed control functions, but can also create applications quickly and easily.
The range of hardware includes control systems in various performance ratings, for both safety-related and standard control functions. In future one of these will be the PSSuniversal multi, a networked control system for standard and safety, which will provide local safety functions and can be configured via the graphics editor PASmulti. That's why we continued to develop the PNOZmulti Configurator and integrated it into the Pilz Automation Suite (PAS) 4000.
Pilz Australia is the Australian branch of PIlz.