Safety light curtains

Security and free access to machines

Safety light curtains are electrosensitive protective devices. They stop the movement of a machine when one of the light beams is interrupted. Light curtains help protect personnel without the use of mechanical protectors. This greatly simplifies access to machines and contributes to reducing the time required for loading, inspection or adjustment activities.

Safety light curtains

Security and free access to machines

Safety light curtains are electro-sensitive protective devices. They stop the movement of a machine when one of the light beams is interrupted. Light curtains help protect personnel without the use of mechanical protectors. This greatly simplifies access to machines and contributes to reducing the time required for loading, inspection or adjustment activities.

What is a safety curtain and where is it used?

A light curtain is a popular component of machine safety systems, most often used to alert of an intrusion into a dangerous or restricted area. It consists of two components - a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends beams of infrared light, which are received by the receiver. In the event of a beam interruption, and consequently the receiver fails to detect the signal, a low signal is given to the OSSD outputs.

 

An OSSD (output signal switching device) is usually a solid-state or transistor output, as opposed to the mechanical contacts of other typical security system components. Semiconductor technology allows fast response, even with high frequency, which is very valuable for optical sensors. Therefore, traditional contact or relay connectors would not be applicable here.

 

Safety light curtains are used in machines, installations or tools where the use of a guard is impossible or uneconomical, such as at robotic workstations. The light barrier works well where there is no space for a fence or interference in the work of a robot is frequent. Light curtains are also used as protection for conveyor belts.

What is a safety curtain and where is it used?

A light curtain is a popular component of machine safety systems, most often used to alert of an intrusion into a dangerous or restricted area. It consists of two components - a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends beams of infrared light, which are received by the receiver. In the event of a beam interruption, and consequently the receiver fails to detect the signal, a low signal is given to the OSSD outputs.

 

An OSSD (output signal switching device) is usually a solid-state or transistor output, as opposed to the mechanical contacts of other typical security system components. Semiconductor technology allows fast response, even with high frequency, which is very valuable for optical sensors. Therefore, traditional contact or relay connectors would not be applicable here.

 

Safety light curtains are used in machines, installations or tools where the use of a guard is impossible or uneconomical, such as at robotic workstations. The light barrier works well where there is no space for a fence or interference in the work of a robot is frequent. Light curtains are also used as protection for conveyor belts.

Types of light curtains

There are different types of light curtains. Due to the area they cover, we distinguish:

  • POC light curtains - provide protection in an area the size of a single part of the human body, such as an arm or leg. They are used in areas where the required range of protection is not large.
  • PAC light curtains - cover a much larger area, at least the entire human body.

 

Another division of curtains concerns the safety standards they support and looks as follows:

  • Light curtains of category 2 - they are used in machine systems with a low degree of danger.
  • Light curtains of category 4 - are designed for the most advanced and rigorous machine systems.

 

In addition, the curtains may differ in the distance between the receiver and transmitter, response time, height of the device, degree of protection, master/slave mode of operation. Some curtains may additionally be equipped with a muting function, allowing the device to be temporarily suspended.

Types of light curtains

There are different types of light curtains. Due to the area they cover, we distinguish:

  • POC light curtains - provide protection in an area the size of a single part of the human body, such as an arm or leg. They are used in areas where the required range of protection is not large.
  • PAC light curtains - cover a much larger area, at least the entire human body.

 

Another division of curtains concerns the safety standards they support and looks as follows:

  • Light curtains of category 2 - they are used in machine systems with a low degree of danger.
  • Light curtains of category 4 - are designed for the most advanced and rigorous machine systems.

 

In addition, the curtains may differ in the distance between the receiver and transmitter, response time, height of the device, degree of protection, master/slave mode of operation. Some curtains may additionally be equipped with a muting function, allowing the device to be temporarily suspended.

Light curtains XUSL2 and XUSL4 - learn more about our products

dynamotion kraków automatyzacja maszyn pakujących astor kurtyny bezpieczeństwa bezpieczeństwo maszynowe machine safety safety light curtain XUSZWPE050 XUSZWPE080 XUSZWPE091 telemecanique sensors curtain safety curtain light curtain telemecanique kurtyna bezpieczeństwa kurtyna bezpieczenstwa kurtyna safety kurtyny bezpieczenstwa kurtyny safety

XUSL2 and XUSL4 safety light curtains are used to detect fingers, hands, body and various objects in the near of devices that may pose a threat, such as:

  • robotic systems,
  • assembly and packaging lines,
  • turret punch presses,
  • palletizers,
  • packing machines,
  • assembly machines,
  • welding equipment,
  • handling equipment (rollers, winders, and unwinders),
  • machine tools,
  • equipment for the agri-food industry,
  • mechanical and hydraulic presses.

 

XUSL2 and XUSL4 safety light curtains comply with numerous standards and are certified by cLUus, EAC, RCM and TϋV.

dynamotion kraków automatyzacja maszyn pakujących astor kurtyny bezpieczeństwa bezpieczeństwo maszynowe machine safety safety light curtain XUSZWPE050 XUSZWPE080 XUSZWPE091 telemecanique sensors curtain safety curtain light curtain telemecanique kurtyna bezpieczeństwa kurtyna bezpieczenstwa kurtyna safety kurtyny bezpieczenstwa kurtyny safety

XUSL4E14F031N

is a light curtain type 4. Its resolution is 14 mm, it is designed for finger detection. It can operate at temperatures from -20 to 55°C. The service life of the device is 20 years.

dynamotion kraków automatyzacja maszyn pakujących astor kurtyny bezpieczeństwa bezpieczeństwo maszynowe machine safety safety light curtain XUSZWPE050 XUSZWPE080 XUSZWPE091 telemecanique sensors curtain safety curtain light curtain telemecanique kurtyna bezpieczeństwa kurtyna bezpieczenstwa kurtyna safety kurtyny bezpieczenstwa kurtyny safety

XUSL2E30H046NWC

is a type 2 light curtain for hand detection. Secured by a sealed IP 69K protective tube, it is resistant to acidic and alkaline cleaning agents and aliphatic hydrocarbons.

dynamotion kraków automatyzacja maszyn pakujących astor kurtyny bezpieczeństwa bezpieczeństwo maszynowe machine safety safety light curtain XUSZWPE050 XUSZWPE080 XUSZWPE091 telemecanique sensors curtain safety curtain light curtain telemecanique kurtyna bezpieczeństwa kurtyna bezpieczenstwa kurtyna safety kurtyny bezpieczenstwa kurtyny safety

XUSL4MA30H031N

is an advanced type 4 light curtain with built-in muting function. It can be configured via wiring or software. The response time at a protected height of 310 mm is 8 ms.

Safety light curtains - XUSL2 vs. XUSL4

Safety light curtains of type 2

We offer:

  • Standard curtains with a resolution of 30mm and more, with a detection distance selectable by a switch of 0-4 or 0-12 m and with different protection heights.
  • Curtains with sealed IP 69K protective case, with 30mm resolution and 0-3 or 3-10m detection distance. Possible heating system.

Safety light curtains of type 4

We offer:

  • Standard curtains with a resolution of 14mm, 30mm and more, with a detection distance of 0-3/1-6 m or 0-4/0-12 m, with different protection heights.
  • Curtains with increased detection distance, resolution of 30 mm and more, detection distance of 0-10/3-20 m and with different protection heights.
  • Master/slave curtains with standard detection distance, resolution of 14 mm, 30 mm and more or with detection distance of 0-3/1-6 m or 0-4/0-12 m.
  • Curtains with sealed IP 69K protective case, resolution of 14 mm, 30 mm and more, detection distance of 0-2/1-5 m or 0-8/3-17 m. Possible heating system.
  • Curtains with built-in muting function, configurable via wiring or software, resolution of 30 mm or more, detection distance of 0-4/0-12 m.

Why is it worth choosing XUSL light curtains?

Easy access

Giving up mechanical restraints in favor of a curtain allows free access to the machine, reducing loading time, inspection or adjustment activities.

Diversity

A wide range of safety curtains, equipped with additional features, allows you to choose the option best suited to your needs.

Compliance with standards

The XUSL2 and XUSL4 light curtains comply with the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, as well as many other EU standards.

What to look for when selecting a safety curtain?

The most important parameters to pay attention to when choosing curtains are:

  • Resolution - often referred to as "detection capability." It is the distance between individual light beams, that is, between transmitters and receivers in light curtain modules. Also important in its determination is the radius of the light beam. An object with a width equal to or greater than the resolution will always be cut by the beam, but if its width is smaller it may end up between the beams and not be detected.
  • Field of view - is the maximum distance to which the transmitter is able to send an effective beam of light that will be correctly received by the receiver.
  • Aperture angle - is the maximum angle at which the beam can reach the receiver. It protects the receiver from receiving false reflections. In light curtains of higher categories this angle is much smaller than in devices of lower categories.

Find out more about safety light curtains

Go to course
Open PDF version of product catalog

Need help selecting components?

Contact us