SICK Optic-Electronic, Inc. is happy to announce the release of a new family of Safety Interlocks to complement your safeguarding applications.
Given the high level of industrial integrity of these new switches, they will be able to address a multitude of your safeguarding applications. This product line includes everything from light duty plastic interlock switches, to standard heavy duty interlocks, to extra heavy duty interlocks switches.
SICK Safety Interlocks include single unit switches with attached roller or lever actuators and two piece switches with removable blade style actuators. Also introduced is a new technology radio encoded non-contact interlock switch that is rated for type 4 safety applications.
Interlock switches are rated by their mechanical make up. Category 1 interlocks are switches where the switch element and the actuator form a whole constructive and functional unit, such as the single unit switches mentioned above. Category 2 interlocks are switches where the switch element and the actuator are separate units and are brought together to complete the switching action. This is not to be confused with the Safety Category rating under the risk assessment per EN 954.
The new T4000 non- contact interlock switch is the top of the line. It comes in three parts, the evaluation unit which houses the contacts and controls the sensing head (second part) and actuator (third part). When the actuator is moved towards the read head and the switch-on distance is reached, power is supplied to the actuator via the inductive read head and the data is transferred by radio frequency.
This is similar to the remote control locking systems seen on today's automobiles. The code is stored in the actuator and is learned by the evaluation unit at first power up. A new code can be applied up to eight times. SICK safety interlock switches come with switching elements from one normally closed up to two normally closed and two normally opened contact arrangements. The elements can be slow-action and open or close at the speed of the actuation; or snap-action, which opens or closes independent of the actuation speed.
SICK safety interlocks can incorporate mechanical or electrical locking systems. The locking solenoid operating voltage can be 24 V DC or 230 V AC with 115 V AC operations available on special request.
The actuator styles range from attached roller levers and plunger to separate actuators in a blade style with many configurations. Straight, angled, hinged, right side, left side just to name a few. The actuation direction can be changed in 90 degree increments. Accessories include lock out bars and an E100 enabling switch.
