A guide to safety light curtains

Light curtain application

The Safety Light Curtain is relied on to protect the safety of factory personnel all over the world. Yet, though the technology was developed more than 65 years ago, many applications may still not be making full use of its capabilities, according to Dr Martin Kidman, safety specialist with SICK UK Ltd.

Is it time to re-appraise what light curtains could be contributing to your machinery safety, factory control and productivity? The light curtain has become so ubiquitous, that it is all too easy to regard it as a simple on/off device – a fail-safe, fit-and-forget substitute for protective fencing. An expanding and versatile range of light curtains has evolved to perform multiple functions. They can contribute positively to productivity and integrate with factory LANs to support better plant-wide automation…