The Smart non-contact safety sensor SRF from Altech is designed to protect machine operators from potential injury by monitoring movable separating protective devices, such as doors, gates, panels and hoods, and shutting down or preventing startup of a machine when a device is not properly closed. The Safety RF (SRF) sensor integrates an intelligent diagnostic system, which collects data for early detection of machine faults and allows for timely maintenance fixes. Sensors are available with diagnostics function that can be monitored with IO-Link supporting Industry 4.0 implementation and smart-factory operations. SRF sensors are 36.5 x 26.2 x 15 mm and designed to suit any application where safety switches (Type 2) or sensors (Type 4) would be used. Data for up to 20 different switch conditions can be monitored for each individual sensor, even when they are connected in a series for monitoring multiple access points. Critical data is stored in the sensor with a time stamp and can be reviewed even in the event of a power failure. The collected data can be viewed on a computer via IO-Link or displayed on smartphones via NFC technology. Two levels of diagnostics, basic PNP and extended daisy-chain, are available. Up to 32 SRF sensors can be connected in series using standard four-wire unshielded cables with M12 connectors.
