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The AZM400 achieves safety level PL e
and Cat. 4 in accordance with DIN EN
ISO 13849-1 and SIL3 in accordance with
DIN EN 61508 for both the interlock
and locking functions. The high safety
level of the locking function is achieved
by features including a two-channel
unlocking signal, which ensures that
should, for example, a cross-fault occur,
the system remains locked to prevent
unauthorised access to the hazard area.
High level of safety and maximum
plant availability
The AZM400 ensures not only a high
level of safety but also seamless
process execution for maximum plant
availability. For example: protective
doors often have dampening at their
limit stops such that, when they are
system requirements for the Spark Ti Solenoid interlock especially for large
closed, they spring back a little. As a
were mapped out at a meeting of the machining centres
consequence, the locking pin does not
engineering department of Mandelli
sit fully in the centre of the locking
Schmersal launched the AZM400
Sistemi and safety machinery experts
opening in the actuator and must
solenoid interlock in 2015. The system
from Schmersal, a leading international
overcome cross forces. If it is unable
comprises the locking unit with sensor
provider of machine safety products.
to overcome the cross forces, the
system, a motor-driven locking pin and
A safety locking system that satisfies all the actuator. The actuator contains an protective door is not opened and
of these requirements is the AZM400 encoded RFID tag and a locking opening the production process is delayed.
secure bolt retention system from into which the locking pin is inserted. The solenoid interlock AZM400 offers
Schmersal, in conjunction with Bowden As soon as the locking pin has reached the advantage of unlocking against a
cross force of up to 300 N. In
cable
release.
Mandelli
addition, the electronic system
Sistemi has been impressed
‘Protective doors must always reliably lock and unlock. combined with the sensor
by the extraordinarily high
At the same time, the safety technology must help to
system offers numerous
locking force of the AZM400
maximise plant availability. The AZM400 is, therefore,
additional functions, including
when used on the heavy
the optimal solution,’ explains Maicol Garavaldi, Safety error state identification: if
protective doors on its
Machinery Expert at Schmersal Italia.
the locking pin fails to reach
Spark Ti, but, when used in
a ‘locked’ status on the first
conjunction with the Bowden
attempt, it attempts to lock
cable, the AZM400 also offers high a sufficient insertion depth into the
again
automatically.
Only if this second
protective performance, a feature that locking opening in the actuator, the
attempt
fails
will
the
AZM400 report a
is particularly valuable in the event that safety device can be considered safely
fault. This helps to reduce the number
an operator becomes trapped in the locked.
of fault notifications and at the same
machining centre accidentally, such as In developing the AZM400, Schmersal
time, protects the device from damage.
when carrying out maintenance work. kept the special requirements of
Within the hazard area, the Bowden large machining centres in sharp ‘Protective doors must always reliably
cable can, therefore, be used as an focus, particularly the fact that most lock and unlock. At the same time,
emergency release, with the operator machining centres require very high the safety technology must help
merely having to pull on the pull rope. locking forces capable of locking heavy to maximise plant availability. The
When used outside of the hazard area, protective doors, many of which have AZM400 is, therefore, the optimal
the device can be used as an emergency motorised actuators. The AZM400 solution,’ explains Maicol Garavaldi,
unlock. The pull rope has a standard safety locking system has a locking force Safety Machinery Expert at Schmersal
overall length of 6 m and a sheath length of 10,000 N, which is an exceptional Italia.
of 4 m, thereby allowing for protection feature amongst solenoid interlocks.
www.mandelli.com
of large systems as well.
19 | may-june 2019
Global MDA Journal