PILZ, a record year. And a lot of safety

The company presents new electric locking devices, pushbutton units and safety light curtains: safety and security at the forefront.

PILZ is known throughout the world for products, systems and services for the safe automation of plant and machinery. The German company, which in 2023 managed to increase its turnover by 7.3%, reaching 433 million euros, a record in its 75 years of history, presented at SPS a number of important new developments aimed at the world of packaging.

Reliable safeguarding where space is limited. The new PSENmlock mini electric locking device is one of most significant new developments. It has a compact structure of only 30 x 30 x 159 mm and is, therefore, very suited to applications where space is limited, like small-sized doors. It has the power-to-unlock guard locking functionality, but can also operate with bistable guard locking.

«The bistable guard-locking principle - they explain in PILZ - ensures high safety. In the event of a power failure, the latest status is maintained and the safeguard remains closed and locked or open. This principle reduces energy consumption: the locking is powered by the electric current only if the safeguards are locked or unlocked. The level of safety is high thanks to the dual-channel operation of the solenoid; in the event of breakdown/error, the OSSDs are switched off but the safeguard remains locked ».

The safe holding force of this electric lock is up to 1950 N, with a peak of 3900 N. It can be connected to any safety device, in particular the new PDP67 multiple socket, which in turn can be connected to the PNOZmulti2, PILZ’s historical configurable small controller.

Continuous evolution. Also important, again in the field of safety sensors, is the new PSENslock 2 solution, a product fully compatible with less recent ones but furnished with improved functionalities. The previous model was available in two versions, with 500 and 1000 N. The new device has a safe holding force of 1000 or 2000 N and it’s also possible to regulate the residual holding force: this goes from 30 to 110 and 200 N. The new series can dialogue with other devices via SDD (Safety Device Diagnostics): this makes it possible to control a series of electric locking devices. In this way, you can manage the diagnostics, and therefore know which electric locking device is open, and manage the locking and unblocking of the locking devices

IO-Link Safety was also under the spotlight: it’s a system which, thanks to safe and standard point to point communication, makes it possible to integrate the sensors, immediately and quickly, right into the field.

«In this complete system, which goes from the master to the field, we also present two new devices which can connect into IO-Link Safety» Marco Pellizzaro, Divisional Manager Components, points out. «The first is the PITgate Box pushbutton unit, which can be connected also with electric locking devices. The second is a safety light curtain with advanced muting and blanking functions».