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TwinSAFE bus terminals from
Beckhoff Automation.
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TwinSAFE bus terminals are a more streamlined and cost-effective alternative for many machine automation applications because they let users add only required safety features, says Graham Harris, Beckhoffs president. The terminals cost just a little more than standard Beckhoff I/O bus terminals, so users can expect small safety systems to cost less than $500 and larger systems to cost less than $1,000. This is a dramatic cost-to-safety performance ratio when compared to safety PLCs that often are a few thousand dollars.
As alluded to by Harris, machine automation systems with TwinSAFE terminals can be implemented with standard controllers and standard digital networks, saving the expense of safety-rated components.
There are three products in the new system. KL6904 TwinSAFE bus terminal contains a safety-rated controller, four safety-rated outputs, and interfaces with Profibus and EtherCat digital networks.
KL1904 safety bus terminal has four digital inputs with potential-free contacts rated at 24 VDC. KL2904 safety bus terminal has four 24 VDC digital outputs rated at 0.5 amps.
A typical Beckhoff Automation machine control system would have a standard, non-safety rated controller communicating to standard I/O and to one or more KL6904 safety-rated controllers.
In effect, KL6904 is a distributed safety controller. It has four safety-rated outputs but no inputs, so it must be used with a KL1904 input terminal. Communication between the controller and the inputs is via the main host controller. KL1904 lets machine builders implement safety in small I/O increments and in a distributed fashion.
The result, says Beckhoff, is a low-cost control system with safety-rated components applied only as needed. For small configurations, the tasks of a failsafe PLC can be handled within the KL6904, relates Rob Rawlyk, Beckhoffs applications manager. For increased functionality, multiple KL6904s can work together. This is a far more streamlined and cost-effective alternative than a traditional safety PLC.
Rawlyk adds that TwinSAFE bus terminals extend the tried and tested Beckhoff I/O system with safety functions. Safe signals can be mixed with standard signals and are easily distinguished by terminal color because safe terminals have yellow plastic housings while standard terminals have white plastic housings, he says. Maintenance is simplified significantly through faster diagnostics and by easy replacement of components.
The TwinSAFE bus terminal system is just now being introduced in North America, but it has been in use for some time in Europe.
| Product Exclusive Contact Information |
For more information, call Beckhoff Automation at 952/890-0000, e-mail[email protected],
or browse to www.beckhoffautomation.com/twinsafe.
