All-inclusive security
PILZ Italia at SPS 2023 with products, systems and services for the safe automation of machines and plant, but also for the health and safety of workers. All the new developments in the field of industrial cybersecurity were presented by the company.
The Italian subsidiary of the German group PILZ GmbH brought to the stand set up in the Parma trade fair dedicated to automation the results of its continuous research aimed at the innovation of automation solutions which, besides meeting international safety standards, also comply with aspects linked to security.
From sensors to control and drive technology, to access management, PILZ-brand products allow customers to avoid costly and time-consuming interventions, focusing on the development of successful designs for maximum security in the factory.
Components divisional manager of PILZ Italia
Safety and security in a single system
IAM (Identification and Access Management) is the solution conceived with the objective of providing a holistic approach that takes into equal consideration safety, that is, the protection of personnel regarding the machine, and security, meaning the protection of company data (protecting, therefore, the machine from voluntary or involuntary human intervention). Numerous possibilities are offered by the company in the field of Access Management. Through RFID keys, it’s possible to carry out activities ranging from a simple authentication to a complex management of machine accesses, from the selection of functionally secure operating modes to electronic lockout/tagout, and to the securing of data and networks from hacker attacks.
«Our aim has been to ensure that only skilled operators with the necessary authorisations and adequate expertise are able to access the machines to carry out certain types of operations» explains Marco Pelizzaro, Components divisional manager of PILZ Italia. «In addition, the “key in pocket” solution guarantees that the machine cannot be restarted while there are people detected in the dangerous zone. The result is a totally electronic protection that makes mechanical interlocking devices and warning signs unnecessary».
Also dedicated to industrial security is the SecurityBridge proposal, a firewall developed according to the IEC 62443-4-1 standard, capable of protecting industrial automation networks from non-authorised accesses and possible tampering. In this way, risks of espionage and tampering are avoided, ensuring the safety of personnel and the availability of the machines. These solutions confirm PILZ’s commitment in the field of security, an attention that is clearly evident in the motto adopted by the company, “The Spirit of Safety”.
Safety also in the packaging
The new PILZ solution (TÜV SÜD-certified for PL d/ SIL 2) for the safe monitoring of the cardboard storage unit on packaging machines, is composed of compact PNOZmulti 2 control systems or myPNOZ safety modules in combination with two O300 optical sensors. How does it work? The sensors detect if in the cardboard feeder there is sufficient material for the packaging; otherwise, the safety system deactivates the machine which remains in stop status until sufficient cardboard has been loaded.
«The solution for monitoring the cardboard storage unit makes it possible to reload the machine also while in operation, so as to avoid inappropriate stoppages, thereby improving the plant’s productivity» Pelizzaro adds.
Compact configurable modules: the new PNOZ m C0
On display at SPS there was also the new basic stand-alone device, the PNOZ m C0, belonging to the family of PNOZmulti 2 safety modules which offers numerous functions in a compact casing. 8 safe inputs and 4 safe semiconductor outputs that control the safety functions of small-size machines are contained in a width of 22.5 mm.
Emergency stoppages, mobile guard controls, photoelectric barriers or bimanual commands: using the PNOZmulti Configurator to configure it is easy, immediate and flexible and adapts perfectly to every kind of safety requirement. High flexibility and ease of configuration are the main advantages of the device
«because - Pelizzaro points out – those involved in safety planning need to be able to adapt the solution to their machine in zero time».
A complicated but very positive 2022
Despite the difficult global scenario that characterised all of 2022, the PILZ group managed to achieve really exceptional economic/financial results, exceeding for the first time the threshold of 400 million euros (403.3) with an increase of 15.8% on 2021. The growth was particularly marked in Asia, even though the most important market remains Germany. 2023 has started in the best possible way, enabling the group to confirm its investment plan to 2025: around 38 million euros are to be allocated mainly to the production sites of Ostfildern (Germany), Betschdorf (France), Bad Ragaz (Switzerland) and Jintan (China). In 2023, moreover, PILZ will arrive at 75 years of activity, an important milestone which it will be celebrating together with its 42 branches and 2,500 employees.
