SICK: customized user-friendly machine safety

With the Flexi Compact, SICK presents a new modular safety controller that is characterized by an improved user experience in handling and safety engineering. At the same time, users can operate automated machines more productively thanks to the safety controller’s scalable scope of performance and intelligent diagnostic functions. The Flexi Compact can be integrated with various fieldbuses and Industry 4.0 applications. Compact systems, in robots, packaging machines and basic motion control applications thus benefit from maximum future-proofing.

In every safety application, the safety controller is the central element. It evaluates the information from safety-certified optical sensors and switches. Its safety functions ensure a safety-oriented reaction of connected actuators. As a safety controller for machines with medium to complex safety logic, the new Flexi Compact is particularly user-friendly, flexible, efficient and economical.

Improved usability

The new Flexi Compact safety controller offers users in the machine construction industry improved usability in many respects. The modular hardware platform offers a flexible, application-oriented and cost-efficient design. If requirements increase, the safety controller can be subsequently adapted or extended by up to 12 modules. The Safety Designer engineering tool with its certified function blocks ensures intuitive, fast and simple configuration and documentation of safety logic via drag-and-drop. The application-optimized, slim housing saves space in the control cabinet. Front connectors can be pre-assembled and enable simple, time- and cost-efficient wiring. Codable slots offer additional installation safety. The TFT display visualizes all relevant inputs and settings during commissioning and service: This enables fast set-up and direct usability of the safety controller.

“Faster safety” for more productivity

If safety devices react faster, they can be installed closer to the machine. This reduces their installation area. With its fast reaction times, the Flexi Compact supports such a space-saving machine and safety design. Its safety-certified high-speed backplane bus impresses with short response times. This allows safety distances at the machine to be optimized and shorter cycle times to be achieved in highly dynamic processes. By means of gateways in common fieldbus environments and automation systems, sensor information and machine data are consistently available for Industry 4.0 applications.

Intelligent real-time diagnosis for more availability

Some troubleshooting comes close to the famous tracing of a needle in a haystack. In operation, this not only costs nerves, but also time and money. Not so with the Flexi Compact: it reads out diagnostic data in real time for specific applications and makes it available for condition monitoring. This makes it easy to find and analyze errors quickly. Evaluations of sensor information for predictive maintenance are also available more quickly. In this way, the Flexi Compact makes an effective contribution to minimizing downtimes and production losses.

Safety for a wide range of applications

Increasing miniaturization in mechanical engineering is leading to a growing demand for space-saving safety controllers. Accordingly, the Flexi Compact is used in compact systems, on robots and in packaging machines. Furthermore, in combination with the Flexi Loop safe series connection, it is ideally suited for machines with decentralized safety paths.

For more information, please visit: https://www.sick.com