New S300 smallest device of its type in the world

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 13, 2006

Laser safety solution offers power, compactness and flexibility

The smallest device of its type worldwide, the new S300 from SICK (UK) is the most flexible safety solution for monitoring small hazardous areas.

With a maximum protective field radius of 2m and a full overview of 270deg, this compact and reliable safety laser scanner can economically address numerous applications.

Thanks to the flexibility offered by three variants, users can easily create a made-to-measure solution.

The Standard, Advanced or Professional variants make the S300 range suitable for a variety of applications.

These include the replacement of safety mats, space saving point-of-operation protection or as personnel protection equipment for mobile transport systems or service robots.

The S300 is also an innovative solution for entry-exit applications where light curtains are difficult to install.

Moreover, by offering Type-3 approval in compliance with IEC 61496-3 and SIL2 according to IEC 61508, the S300 range meets the most up-to-date standards.

Upholding SICK's renowned ethic of innovation and product development, new scanner technology was used throughout the range's development.

From the outset, it was designed to address applications where space, weight and power consumption are real issues.

As a result, the S300 is particularly suited for use on small manoeuvrable transport vehicles and for maintaining gaps on telpher lines (suspension hanger conveyors).

Even though low unit cost played a major part in its design, no corners were cut in its development.

Thanks to the clever integration of numerous advanced features, even greater economies can be realised by plant engineers and installers.

These features include plug-and-play configuration memory in the connection plug and a seven-segment display for rapid commissioning, diagnosis and maintenance.

In addition, the Enhanced Function Interface (EFI) data connection allows access to one of many safety bus modules available.

Maintaining a familiar look and feel was also important, and to promote this feature, the S300 can also be programmed using CDS software - a uniform software suite used by all SICK safety systems.

Of particular interest to users of compact transport vehicles and service robots, is the S300's 270deg angle of view.

When the scanner is corner-mounted it will not only simultaneously monitor the sides, but also offer all-round protection removing the need for bumpers and control wires.

Further flexibility is also available thanks to the ability to modify the protective and warning fields.

This permits dynamic adaptation to the particular velocities and spatial conditions.

Offering both horizontal and vertical protection, the Standard, Advanced and Professional variants offer different levels of functionality, enabling users to select a unit that meets their exact needs.

All variants offer adjustable object resolution of 30 or 70mm, 270deg scanning angle and a programmable 8m warning field and 2m protective field.

They offer 1, 2 and 4 field sets respectively and the Professional model can also be used with incremental encoders for applications that require speed-dependent protective field switching.

The Advanced and Professional variants also offer an EFI interface for the bus interface and for linking two S300 units.

With so much capability packed into such a compact unit, the S300 is an ideal solution for applications where great importance is placed on safety and economic efficiency - especially in small areas.