Safe Motion latest thinking in keeping operators safe

Conventional
safeguarding systems tend to emphasize operator safety over
productivity. But nothing is “absolutely safe.” Thus, the quest for
productivity improvements often led operators to override the safety
system, all too often leading to accidents.

Newer strategies
on safety focus on how operators interact with the machinery. The
latest thinking is that it is more important to avoid unintended axis
movement and create safe motion through limited axis movement that
reduces the risk of operator injury. In addition, freely programmable
safety logic may increase the flexibility of a safety system.

Rexroth,
Bosch Group, demonstrates its safety approach in the IndraDrive’s
servo-drive or frequency converter’s Safety on Board feature. This
feature integrates advanced safety functions and complies with the
latest international standards for safe stopping and safe motion.
Reaction times are 400 times faster than conventional approaches that
use contactors to produce a safe stop.

Because this safe
motion technology is integrated directly into the drive, motion
controllers regardless of manufacturer can leverage safe motion
technology. The IndraDrive has enough I/O for the safeguarding logic to
interface to safety gates, panel switches, and interlock switches.
Thus, machine builders only need to learn one safety solution for an
application.