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Failsafe design a priority on light curtains

A Panasonic Electric Works UK product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 30, 2001

Matsushita's Category 4 UZKA2 safety light curtains ensure that fault conditions such as internal circuit failure, cable breakage, short circuit, or even abnormal ambient light are detected instantly.

Safety light curtains are used to protect workers in potentially dangerous situations.

Typical applications would be guarding of pick and place robots on assembly lines, presses or any other industrial equipment.

Should the light beam be broken, the sensor activates the emergency stop circuit and prevents potential injury.

Matsushita Electric Works' Category 4 UZKA2 safety light curtains incorporate a highly reliable fail-safe design which enables the user to operate the device with absolute confidence.

Two independent self-monitoring microprocessors ensure that any possible fault condition such as internal circuit failure, cable breakage, short circuit, or even abnormal ambient light are detected instantly.

Should any of these conditions occur, the UZKA2 will shut down the machine automatically.

With a beam-pitch of just 20mm (about the size of a hand) and a response time of 20ms, the UZKA2 is both fast and responsive in alerting the user to any breach in safety.

Matsushita Electric Works' offer a wide variety of types, with sensing heights ranging from 220mm to 1.58m.

Most areas can therefore be safely monitored using only one UZKA2, whilst larger areas can be safeguarded by linking up to twelve of the sensors.

All types have a maximum sensing distance of 10m and are available with two PNP transistor outputs for connection to a safety relay.

The microprocessor is fully contained within the sensor_s body, thus eliminating the need for a separate controller.

This makes for reduced wiring and straightforward installation.

One of the smallest and most robust sensors in its class, the UZKA2 safety light curtain has a cross-sectional size of just 35 x 35mm.

The beam spread angle is narrow, thus reducing interference from extraneous light and reflection.

This ensures that the light curtain is not only small but also extremely reliable.

The UZKA2 series is available with a full range of accessories including slit masks, extension cables and mounting brackets.

Founded in 1981 as SDS-Relais Limited, Matsushita Electric Works UK Limited today has over 40 employees with sales staff and technical engineers strategically located throughout the UK and Ireland.

With its UK head office in Milton Keynes and with branch offices in Livingston and Dublin, Matsushita Electric Works is recognised as a global leader in electromechanical and solid state relay technology.

This reflects the company position elsewhere in the world where it is a clear _number 1_ supplier in its chosen sectors of technology.

The introduction to the UK and Ireland of new automation systems technology such as machine vision systems, programmable logic controllers, sensors and inverters has proceeded successfully.

In late 1999 with the adoption of its new company name, MEW UK began to develop activities into new areas such as GPS antennae and lighting components as well as other high technology sectors.

Matsushita Electric Works UK Limited products are sold under the "NAiS" global brand name.