IEN: Where are strides being made in ease of integration, including flexibility/scalability; safety management; and safety design?
Guajardo: Safety network devices have added increased reliability, productivity, and safety by offering unprecedented monitoring, preventive maintenance, and diagnosis information that is not possible without the network capability. They also decrease potential downtime as a result of the improved monitoring and communications capability. Safety network devices will significantly reduce the overall amount and complexity of wiring, facilitate management of the safety control information and related data, and add unprecedented flexibility to the overall control system. (Omron''s F3SN self-contained light curtain, picutred, is controlled by a handheld programmer.)
IEN: Where do you see innovations in machine safety; protective technology; safety equipment and systems; and software?
Guajardo: Safety PLCs, smart safety controllers with semiconductor outputs, safety controllers that incorporate logical connections, safety controller software that allows users to define and set various configuration parameters, as well as safety I/O devices that include DeviceNet, Ethernet, and/or USB ports are all clearly becoming more prevalent in the safety arena. These devices all offer users increased flexibility and possibilities that were not available only a year ago. (Shown here, Omron''s F3SX safety controller, through a single central module, integrates the monitoring and functioning of individual safety devices such as light curtains, safety doors, and emergency stop buttons.)
IEN: Please comment on the extent to which companies can integrate safety systems into other industrial systems.
Guajardo: Using the latest advances in safety system technology, manufacturers are able to incorporate traditional safety components on an open network platform alongside traditional "non-safety" control devices. Doing so simplifies the arduous task of incorporating properly selected and implemented safety solutions within potentially hazardous work cells.