THE MICROTECHNOLOGY INFORMATION PORTAL/THE SHOW
15.03.2022
C - Automatisation
Safe and up close to the action
Even Michael Zbinden can’t keep from smiling when asked about this curiosity. “At first glance, it may be really surprising”, says the Team Leader for software development at Schleuniger AG in the Swiss region of Thun, whose expertise lies in the innovative and economic fabrication of cables. “Because with us, the user is the central focus”, he continues, “we place a very high value on the usability and ergonomics of our systems.”
And exactly this customer promise required a different approach to the development of the new platform; a processing machine for high-voltage cables for electromobility. The modular construction enables the user to quickly adapt the machine for new tasks via exchanging individual production elements. Units that are no longer needed are simply removed and replaced with different modules.
Flexible with Wireless HMI
Since the machine, developed from the ground up, processes pure as well as prefabricated cables, its length varies depending on the production depth. “As a result, it quickly became clear that another mobile operating device was needed in addition to the main device installed,” says Michael Zbinden. The operator can have this with him at all times during production to read current data or while changing tools, enter the required parameters any time at the respective site. “Both tasks require close proximity to the action, since the machine setter must acknowledge individual process steps with a key press”, explains the software team leader.
This confirmation would of course also be possible with a cable-connected panel, so why use a wireless one? Since depending on the production level, the machine can be extremely long, it would need an appropriately long cable. However, says Michael Zbinden, this is a dangerous tripping hazard and when it gets caught somewhere, can be damaged. But using short cable would require the installation of multiple connector sockets, which for those responsible, was not a real alternative. “Each reconnection would have activated the emergency stop and required a machine reset”, explains the expert: “With the wireless version, all these problems are easily solved. The mobile WLAN panel from Sigmatek provides the operator with a high degree of flexibility and more freedom of movement. In combination with the three rotary encoders and the integrated safety functions, this is an optimal addition to our system.”
Safety Level up to SIL 3/PL e
For safety applications cable-connected solutions are actually the first choice, particularly for the cable-break detection. Nevertheless, the Safety concept of Sigmatek’s HGW panels convinced Schleuniger AG right away. This builds an exclusive point-to-point connection via the Black Channel Principle, whereby a safety protocol between the safety application and communications layer is integrated. This not only ensures targeted safety level up to SIL 3/PL e, but it also detects transmission errors and corrects them or triggers an error reaction. However, integrating the HGW 1033 required some creativity. For safety reasons, the device has a Linux-based operating system. The Schleuniger AG user interface however,
operates in a Windows-based environment. “For our application, we simply connected the main computer with the mobile panel over a VNC”, Michael Zbinden explains and highlightens the advantage thereof: “This allows us to fully operate the user interface on both devices.” Schleuniger's customers benefit from the new technology: "We can thus provide more operating comfort, expanded options and higher productivity. This added value is particularly appreciated.”