Leuze electronic submits "SPG" for handling award 2019

Leuze electronic submitted its "Smart Process Gating" (SPG) muting process, which functions without signaling sensors, for the handling award 2019 in the 'automation' category.

Owen, June 14, 2019 – 2019 marks the sixth time that the 'handling' editorial team has called for submissions to the handling award in four different categories. This contest is for manufacturers of mechanical, electrical, and mechatronic solutions for industrial automation and the optimization of internal processes. The award recognizes outstanding and compelling technologies from the areas of handling technology, assembly technology, linear systems, hoists, industrial trucks, transport and conveyor systems, storage technology, intralogistics as well as logistics software, warehouse systems, drives and automation components.

Leuze electronic has submitted its new Smart Process Gating (SPG) process based on the MLC safety light curtains in the 'Automation' category. The SPG process makes access guarding with material transport more cost-efficient, simpler, and safer. SPG is used, for example, in intralogistics as well as in the automotive and packaging industries, where material locks on conveyor lines often have to be protected against unauthorized access by means of optical safety sensors. Previously, muting processes with muting sensors were required in order to clearly identify when transported goods are approaching a protective field and to bridge the passing of these goods through the protective field at the correct moment. The Smart Process Gating developed by Leuze electronic is an innovative alternative, and it eliminates entirely the need for signal-emitting sensors. Based on the MLC safety light curtains, conveyor systems can thus be made more compact. The risk of misalignment or damage to the sensors is eliminated as are the costs for their maintenance and servicing. Furthermore, the purchasing costs, the wiring and risk of manipulation are reduced which increases the availability of the safety device and overall system. With SPG, the first muting signal comes from the process control (PLC), while the second muting signal is generated by the protective field itself. Smart Process Gating requires a detailed knowledge of the process so that the necessary PLC control signals are made available in the expected time window. The MLC 530 safety light curtain variant with SPG is TÜV-certified for safety. The achievable performance level of the solution is attained in conjunction with the system control that is used: PL d (with standard control) or PL e (with safety control). The TOP 3 in each category will be selected by an independent panel of industry experts. In addition to novelty and innovation, the evaluation criteria are customer benefits, sustainability, and the marketability of the submitted applications. The winners of the handling award will be announced in October 2019.