SECURE SYSTEMS
Plugging instead of soldering
The developers have implemented central
functions of the gate controller using clas-
sic PCB terminal blocks and PCB connec-
tors. In order to allow additional functions
such as brake choppers and relays, rotary
transducers, or thermal switches, ASO re-
lies on SKEDD direct connectors: until now,
electronics manufacturers had to connect
the connection technology to the PCB in
an irreversible soldering process.
With SKEDD direct connection tech-
nology, this mounting process is no
longer necessary. Only the corresponding
bore holes need to be provided during
the PCB manufacturing process. The
connectors are inserted directly into the
plated-through bore holes of the PCB by
hand, without soldering, and interlocked
with body-bound rivets, which makes them
reversible. In this way, the PCB does not
become thermally loaded again. “This
allows us to add certain components after
the fact or simply omit them in fi nal as-
sembly, depending on the device design,”
explains Dennis Mettner.
Plugging instead of soldering
–
and reversibly at that!
480
gate controller variants are possible
with SKEDD direct connectors.
The basic idea behind developing the new control system
was to achieve the most transparent hardware scaling
possible, the benefi ts of which our customers can immediately
understand.” The respective hardware equipment carries
out central functions of horizontally or vertically opening
gates, depending on the features. These include controlling
frequency converters and three-phase motors to open and
close the gates, safety functions such as photoelectric barriers
or dead man’s switches, and additional features such as
thermal switches, wireless receivers, position encoders, or
“Our vertical range of manufacturing is one of our argu-
ments that wins us customers,” reports Mettner. “It is precise-
LC displays. And of course, this area also includes possible
electronic access control in numerous variants.
ly this that allows us to respond individually to every custom-
er request. Our customers are mainly from industry and the Gentle thanks to the module option
manufacturing sector, where custom-made products are quite The more sensors a gate controller has, the more sensitively
commonplace.” it reacts to signals from the operator. Mettner and his
It is precisely this fl exibility that is also the focus of the ex- development team use SKEDD direct connectors from
change between the two experts and the Phoenix Contact ex- Phoenix Contact to connect the drive-relevant functions.
perts. The gate controls are available in different performance The modular system includes a total of nine different PCB
classes with correspondingly scaled functional equipment. layouts, enabling developers to scale the scope of functions
“The upper performance range we offer includes gates that are of their gate controller precisely. Hundreds of combinations
used very frequently, such as those with several drives, induc- are possible, which the automated doormen from Lippstadt
tion loops for control when starting up conveyor vehicles, or are supposed to make more and more precise. The more
with our own signal light system,” explains Pewny. “The more gentle the entrance, more secure and comfortable the user
complex the overall system is, the more important safety-re- feels. (lo)
lated functions become. The functionality of the controller
must keep pace accordingly.
asosafety.com
The Phoenix Contact innovation magazine
UPDATE 4/20
29