Safety light curtains are one of the many innovations that have greatly improved the workplace, providing a safety net for workers involved in the manufacturing and industrial fields. But how do they work? In this article, we’ll explain the science behind the device and other key components that contribute to the safety of the workplace.
What are safety light curtains, and how do they work?
Safety light curtains are a type of optoelectronic device that detects objects and other foreign matter in hazardous areas through light beams. This helpful innovation prevents accidents from happening by discouraging workers from entering hazardous areas and halting machine operations once it detects something entering the hazard zone. Turck safety light curtains in Australia offer different kinds of safety lights tailored to your needs, ensuring that you have the right device that’s a perfect fit for your project’s requirements.
What are the integral parts of a safety light curtain?
Simply put, safety light curtains operate on transmitting beams of light that get interrupted once a foreign object enters within their parameters. At the heart of this device lie three key components, namely:
Transmitter and receiver. As the name suggests, it consists of a transmitter and receiver unit. The former produces a series of infrared light beams over a certain area, whereas the latter detects the said light beams and is positioned opposite the transmitter.
Beam interruption. When a foreign matter, like a hand or object, enters the protected area and interrupts the light beam, the receiver is quick to classify this as an interruption.
Safety signal. Finally, the interruption sends a signal to the machine’s operating system, causing it to stop as a safety response. The reaction time of the machinery is usually immediate to avoid potential injuries and accidents.
What are the key features of advanced safety light curtains?
Safety light curtains come in basic and advanced types, but what’s important to know about the two is that the newer models come with a few advanced technological features that boost their performance and reliability.
Self-monitoring and diagnostics. Many advanced models have self-monitoring and diagnostic features, which check the integrity of the system by checking for any potential malfunctions or internal faults.
Beam coding. As part of the system’s increased reliability, the advanced units use beam coding to prevent interference from external light sources. This means that the light beams emitted are modulated with certain patterns and specific frequencies that only the receiver unit can recognize. This also minimizes false triggers and machine downtime.
Blanking and muting. These two new features work hand in hand, with blanking allowing the intentional interruption of specific light beams so objects or tools can pass through without halting the automated machine. Muting, on the other hand, temporarily deactivates the material for a time, like when there’s a need to load or unload.
High-speed processing. Faster signal processing and response times lower the risk of injuries and accidents, even during high-speed operations.
Safety light curtains offer a lot more features, especially the new and advanced models, but the basic model works just as fine. To find out which type of safety light is appropriate for your project, you have to assess the potential hazards and requirements in your workforce and understand the nature of how safety light curtains work. Using these devices also shows your commitment and compliance to work environment safety, allowing workers to focus on their tasks and enhance productivity.