Loading
Magazine

Integrate Pneumatic Safety Devices into Controls

See how engineering-in safety has changed in the last several years because of new components and systems.

Share This:

LinkedInLinkedIn
XX
FacebookFacebook
PrintPrint
EmailEmail
Integrate Pneumatic Safety Devices into Controls hero image

By Sean O'Grady, Product Manager – Valve Terminals and Electronics, Festo Corp.

Editor's Note: This article is adapted from a comprehensive white paper, "Integration of functional pneumatic safety devices into control systems." Visit http://goo.gl/XIr0kg to download the free, full white paper with additional information about reversing a movement on pressing (metal stamping) applications.

Suppliers and OEMs must establish closer communications to achieve optimum safety through new functionally integrated systems. Let's look at two common safety concerns and see how integrated safety solutions can help solve them. The following examples focus on pneumatics, but the same principles apply for electronic actuation.

Example 1. Remove Power from Pneumatic Valves

On its face, this seems like the simplest of applications. As a basic requirement of existing Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) regulations, the ability to remove output power from a valve manifold without interrupting bus communications has been a common feature of valve manifolds for many years. However, two new requirements are emerging.

The first is the finer level of granularity. In the past, it often was acceptable or even desirable to remove power from the entire manifold at once. Modern safety applications often benefit from the ability to remove power only from the valves that are pertinent to a specific segment of the application.

Modern valve manifolds that can segment output power allow the engineer to greatly simplify this common task. A single valve manifold can be supplied that segments output power into several zones. This allows the entire manifold to share a communication adapter (EtherNet/IPTM, DeviceNetTM, etc.) as well as plumbing and mounting elements. Integrated diagnostic feedback also will allow the controls engineer to determine which segment of the valve manifold has power and which does not.

Another common consideration in the application of valve terminals into modern safety machinery is the requirement to be able to remove power at both the 24VDC connector and the 0VDC connector. As simple as this sounds, many common valve terminals share the 0 volt pin between valves and the power for the communications adapter.

True galvanic isolation between these two elements of the system allows for reliable communication during these safe shutdowns. A valve terminal that can combine this feature with the ability to be divided into multiple power zones has the potential to save a design engineer a great deal of time, energy and money.

Main Image

Example 2: Prevention of Unexpected Start-Up

Various methods exist for preventing unexpected start-up of pneumatic systems. A simple yet elegant solution is to simply shut off the pilot air to the valve manifold. Most modern industrial valve manifolds include a facility for plumbing pilot air to the manifold through a separate galley.

Some enterprising engineers realized that by installing a solenoid valve upstream of this supply, they could effectively disable any movement by the valves on the manifold. Historically, this required an additional solenoid valve to be mounted separately from the manifold with all the additional layout, plumbing and electrical connections needed to accomplish the function.

Valve terminal manufacturers have started to integrate this function directly into select manifold products. In addition to simplifying the realization of this function, safety is enhanced by a sensor integrated into the valve to feed actual spool position back to the PLC. The integration of a sensor to positively indicate the spool position gives an added level of security that the valve has achieved the proper position. The valve also features a dedicated port to sense pilot port pressure as an additional feedback channel.

Editor's Note: This article is adapted from a comprehensive white paper, "Integration of functional pneumatic safety devices into control systems." Visit http://goo.gl/XIr0kg to download the free, full white paper with additional information about reversing a movement on pressing (metal stamping) applications.

Festo Corp. is a participating EncompassTM Product Partner in the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork™. Based in Hauppauge, New York, the company manufactures automation components that include safety valves, pneumatic valve controllers, pneumatic valve interfaces and machine vision systems.

Rockwell Automation Encompass Partner Program

Topics: Chemical Water Wastewater
Subscribe

Subscribe to Rockwell Automation and receive the latest news, thought leadership and information directly to your inbox.

Subscribe

Recommended For You

Loading
  1. Chevron LeftChevron Left Rockwell Automation Home Chevron RightChevron Right
  2. Chevron LeftChevron Left Company Chevron RightChevron Right
  3. Chevron LeftChevron Left News Chevron RightChevron Right
Please update your cookie preferences to continue.
This feature requires cookies to enhance your experience. Please update your preferences to allow for these cookies:
  • Social Media Cookies
  • Functional Cookies
  • Performance Cookies
  • Marketing Cookies
  • All Cookies
You can update your preferences at any time. For more information please see our Privacy Policy
CloseClose