Upgrade to a safe radar system is providing better protection for people including work in robot cells

Sick has launched a next-generation safe 3D radar system designed to enable maximum productivity with reliable safe access protection for workers in hazardous industrial areas, including robot cells. The robust radar detection principle is ideal for heavy industrial or harsh outdoor environments, which may challenge conventional optical detection systems.

Incorporating safe radar technology, the safeRS3 is an electro-sensitive 3D protective device for safe personal detection. With a higher measurement accuracy, it protects personnel in stationary applications to PLd or SIL2 in line with ISO 13849-1 and IEC 62061.

By introducing the safeRS3, Sick says it has achieved a longer 5 m protective field range, with up to a 100deg opening angle and the ability to set up to four protective fields. A safety-over-networks version has been introduced with PROFINET control for easy integration into a PROFIsafe network.

Sick believes the safeRS3 extends the versatility of safe radar to more industrial applications. As a category 3 device, the safeRS3 can be used in robotic applications in accordance with ISO 10218-2.

With the safeRS3, operators can avoid unnecessary machine downtime while continuing to safeguard personnel. A safe automatic restart function helps to ensure maximum productivity in more complex machine cells, including those with robots. The validation view helps operators to view where field infringements are in real time, so false trips can be identified quickly.

The Sick safeRS3’s 60GHz radar detection principle ensures it can filter out particles or contamination in dirty or high-humidity conditions. It is not affected by low or bright light and performs accurately despite dirt, dust clouds, woodchips, plastics particles, flying swarf or sparks or steam, heavy rain or humidity.

Operating at temperatures between -40deg C to +60deg C, the safeRS3 offers reliable protection in heavy industrial facilities including steel production, timber or plastics fabrication or in outdoor environments.

Each Sick safeRS3 radar sensor has a rugged IP67 housing and can be configured with up to six sensors. With an adjustable operating range and selectable opening angle, the system is designed to be highly adaptable to almost any environment.

With the PROFINET version, a standard Ethernet connection also enables configuration, diagnostics and Modbus integration. Alternatively, customers can purchase an economical control with local I/O and 2 pairs of OSSDS for configuration and diagnosis via USB-C.

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