Machine builders are aware of the critical need to design safety-related circuits, but this task no longer needs to be time-consuming or complex. Thanks to a revolutionary online tool developed by SMC’s expert team, you can now create a fully compliant pneumatic safety circuit in mere minutes.
Richard Driver, Technical Manager at SMC European Technical Centre, explains: “PneuSAFE is the name of our unique online tool. With a comprehensive list of functions and applications, it provides a streamlined way to quickly access the safety circuits you need. Every circuit has been verified to meet ISO 13849 standards and TÜV Rheinland certification for the required category and performance level.”
SMC’s PneuSAFE also offers additional product and circuit-related information, giving users all the tools they need for safe, efficient machine design.
The Value of Safety in Machine Design
Safe machine design does not just enhance operational control – it also boosts productivity and delivers several competitive advantages. While some of these benefits are obvious, such as minimising the risk of workplace accidents, others are more nuanced. Accidents, for example, carry both direct and indirect costs.
Simplifying Safety with SMC’s PneuSAFE
Fortunately, machine builders now have a way to streamline safety system design. PneuSAFE simplifies the process, which is invaluable when dealing with circuits containing multiple components. Additionally, all the circuits in SMC’s PneuSAFE are from established designs successfully executed in real-world applications.
The interface is extremely user-friendly, offering options that cover most typical machine safety functions. For those with technical knowledge of machine safety, you can quickly select the required safety functions, including:
- Safe venting
- Safe stopping and closing
- Safety-limited speed
- Prevention of unexpected start-up
- Safety-reduced pressure
- Safe brake control
- Safe direction
- Two-hand control
- Safe last position
- Safe pressure monitoring
- Residual pressure release
- Safe equilibrium of force
Clicking on any of these functions takes you directly to your choice of either single or dual-channel architecture, followed by the available circuits.
Alternatively, the applications menu guides you to the most appropriate solutions for your specific needs. Whether you are working with pick-and-place systems, clamping, machine doors, conveyor stopping, or other non-machine-specific tasks, PneuSAFE offers instant access to the relevant safety functions. The tool also provides detailed Safety-Related Parts of Control System (SRP/CS) information, including the Category, Diagnostic Coverage, maximum Performance Level, and more, making it easy to calculate your system’s actual achievable Performance Level.
Instant Results with SMC’s PneuSAFE
Once you have selected the appropriate safety function and application, PneuSAFE immediately generates a comprehensive circuit description, a bill of materials with all product references, and a TÜV-certified circuit report. It also provides practical guidance for correct implementation.
For those requiring detailed safety-related data, such as B10D values, SMC offers a SISTEMA library. SISTEMA, developed by the IFA Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Germany, is a free software tool that assists in evaluating machine safety systems. It provides a detailed report for inclusion in your technical documentation.
Why PneuSAFE?
PneuSAFE is more than just an online tool; it is a gateway to SMC’s extensive knowledge in pneumatic safety, helping you design compliant circuits in just minutes. Want to see how easy it is? Try PneuSAFE for yourself at https://etools.smc.at/pneusafe/
Like SMC, at BPX we understand the commercial pressures on today’s businesses. To meet the expectations of the market, we have adopted a customer-centric approach to our factory automation and industrial control business. Most important of all, we can help you make a difference.
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