How to Reset Light Curtains from PLC Automatically?

Question:

Greetings everyone, I trust you are all in good health. I have a query regarding the resetting of light curtains through PLC. In our setup, a robot loads and unloads parts onto a fixture which then undergoes a lasering process managed by the PLC. The laser process initiates once the robot exits the machine and the light curtains reset. The question at hand is: is there a method to reset the light curtains without manual intervention or the use of auto-resetting logic? We aim to avoid creating an auto-resetting logic for safety reasons, and we seek to eliminate the need to manually reset the logic each time. Your assistance on this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Top Replies

To comply with EN ISO 13849-1 and ensure safety, a reset PB should be located outside the light curtain, activated on a falling edge one shot. It is essential for robots that pose a risk of bodily harm to meet PLd safety standards, which includes confirming the robot is in a safe state, light curtains are clear, and a manual reset is performed. Incorporating an auto reset mechanism that is safe presents a challenge.

Perhaps implementing Light Curtain Muting technology could be a solution, but ultimately it may be more beneficial to redesign the safety system to prevent the robot from triggering it repeatedly. In some cases, the operator is required to break the light curtain, enter the cell, place a part, exit, and press a button before each cycle. This process may need to be repeated indefinitely. It is possible that this approach is necessary in your situation.

Robertmee emphasized the need for a reset push button located outside the light curtain, activated on a falling edge one shot for compliance with EN ISO 13849-1 and other safety requirements. It is crucial for most robots with potential to cause bodily harm to adhere to PLd safety standards, ensuring the robot is in a safe state, light curtains are cleared, and a manual reset is performed. Implementing an auto reset mechanism that is also safe poses a challenge. Thank you for the informative explanation and in-depth discussion on safety standards and the significance of manual reset. I will certainly implement these recommendations.

In a discussion thread, mk42 mentioned the possibility of using Light Curtain Muting to improve safety in the workplace. However, it may be more effective to consider redesigning the safety system to prevent the robot from repeatedly triggering the safety mechanism. In many systems, operators are required to break the light curtain, enter the workspace, place a part, exit the area, and press a button to ensure safety during each cycle. While exploring alternate methods such as light curtains muting, it is important to consider all options for enhancing safety measures. Your input has been valuable, and I will definitely take your advice into consideration.

Varsha mentioned that we were considering using light curtains for muting, but wanted to explore other options. Thank you for the advice, I will definitely take it into consideration. Muting can be effective, but it is important to consider the size of the area. In some cases, there may be a risk of someone reaching into the space without triggering the curtain. Our previous experience involved a process where scrap would occasionally pass through the curtain, but we were able to set up a brief blockage to prevent any harm. However, in your situation where a robot extends through the curtain, adjustments may be needed to ensure safety. Consider redesigning the position of the curtain or adjusting the robot's movements to avoid penetration.

Hello! It seems you're looking for a safer and efficient way to reset the light curtains in your setup. While avoiding auto-resetting logic is understandable for safety concerns, completely automating the process might be challenging. However, you might want to look into external device monitoring (EDM). Used correctly, EDM can automatically reset your light curtains after an interruption, provided it determines it's safe to do so. This means confirming that the lasering process has been completed and the area is clear for the curtains to reset. This adds another safety layer, ensuring the reset happens only when all conditions are met, mitigating some risks associated with auto-resetting.

Hi there! It sounds like you’re dealing with a tricky situation with the light curtains and PLC integration. One approach you might consider is using a condition-based resetting mechanism that takes into account the robot's position and the completion of the lasering process. By programming the PLC to monitor specific signals (like the completion of the load/unload cycle and the status of the laser process), you could enable the light curtain reset to occur automatically when those conditions are met, without explicitly making it an auto-reset feature. This way, you maintain safety while smoothing out the operation. Just a thought—hope it helps!

Hi there! It sounds like you're juggling both safety and automation, which can be a tricky balance. One approach might be to utilize a conditional reset method tied to the successful completion of the robot's unloading cycle. For instance, you could employ sensor feedback from the robot’s position, coupled with a timed delay after the robot clears the area, to trigger the light curtain reset automatically without directly implementing auto-reset logic. This way, you ensure a reset only occurs when it’s safe, maintaining safety protocols while minimizing manual intervention. Just a thought, but I hope it helps!

Hi there! Have you considered using a time delay circuit as an option? Instead of an auto-reset, you could set up a timer that starts once the robot fully exits the area — after a brief delay, it could signal for the light curtains to reset automatically. This way, you wouldn't have to worry about the instant reset risk while avoiding manual intervention as well. Just make sure the timing aligns with your operation sequence to maintain safety!

Hey there! It sounds like you're in a bit of a tricky situation with the light curtains. One potential approach might be to integrate a physical reset button that operators can access easily but requires them to consciously reset the system, ensuring safety while avoiding manual intervention each cycle. Another idea is to explore using a timed delay after the robot exits before the laser activates, which allows enough time for the light curtains to reset without needing an explicit action. Just make sure whatever solution you implement complies with safety standards! Let us know how it goes!

More Replies →

Streamline Your Asset Management
See How Oxmaint Works!!

✅   Work Order Management

✅   Asset Tracking

✅   Preventive Maintenance

✅   Inspection Report

We have received your information. We will share Schedule Demo details on your Mail Id.

To add a comment, please sign in or register if you haven't already..   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. Is it possible to reset light curtains from PLC automatically without using auto-resetting logic?

Answer: The user is seeking a method to reset light curtains without manual intervention or auto-resetting logic due to safety concerns.

FAQ: 2. Can the light curtains be reset without the need for manual intervention in a setup involving robot loading and lasering process controlled by PLC?

Answer: The user is looking for a way to reset the light curtains automatically after the robot exits the machine to streamline the process.

FAQ: 3. Why does the user want to avoid creating auto-resetting logic for the light curtains in this scenario?

Answer: The user aims to ensure safety by avoiding the implementation of auto-resetting logic and seeks an alternative method for resetting the light curtains.

Ready to Simplify Maintenance?

Join hundreds of satisfied customers who have transformed their maintenance processes.
Sign up today and start optimizing your workflow.

Request Demo  â†’