If there is one area where applications are becoming ever-more complex, it's safety engineering and industrial safety engineering specialist Euchner (UK) Limited has not only kept up with this trend with its Multifunctional Gate Box (MGB) safety door system, but has gone a step further by employing modular design to make its latest version, the MGB2 Modular, fully customisable for maximum optimisation. So, more than simply providing safety door protection, thanks to its modular design the MGB2 Modular lets you implement numerous additional functions including locking modules, extension modules and submodules.

Following its market firsts in PROFINET and EtherNet/IP connection, launch of the the new MBM bus module from Euchner is available in a version that connects to EtherCAT P, which means that every function of the MGB2 Modular can also be used with EtherCAT P. 

The MBM bus module coordinates all the safety, non-safety and diagnostic communication signals between the fieldbus system and MGB2 Modular system components – connected to the MBM directly or via M12 standard cables – with the MGB2 Modular connection technology able to operate up to six locking modules on one MBM bus module for communicating both safety and control signals. Besides fewer devices, the user also requires less on-machine cabling and PLC I/Os, ultimately saving on costly failsafe PLC capacity in the control system.

The locking modules can be equipped with controls including pushbuttons, selector switches, key-operated rotary switches or emergency stop buttons. Submodules allow up to six different control elements in the locking module, with add-on expansion modules available where additional user-controls are required, eliminating the need for separate localised operator control stations and their associated costs and complexities.

Comprehensive diagnostic information in the form of EtherCAT messages and the integrated web server provide a rapid and detailed overview of the device status without having to have specialist software or programming knowledge; and straightforward parameter assignment means that even system replacement during servicing is a simple task requiring only a few minutes to complete. 

Industrial safety engineering specialist Euchner (UK) Limited will use its stand (G120) at this year’s Drives & Controls exhibition to showcase its extensive range of guard locking products available for bus connection networking using protocols including EtherCAT, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP.

One machinery safety solution the company is keen to highlight at the show is Euchner’s MGB/MGB2 (Multifunction Gate Box) which, by integrating modules including the CKS key systems, can go from being a simple interlocking/locking device, to a small control terminal.

Commenting, Euchner’s UK&I Country Manager David Dearden says: “The combination of MGB2 and CKS can be used across multiple sectors and for numerous applications to ensure process efficiency, create access rights flexibility, increase personnel and process safety, safeguard product quality and create transparency and traceability.”

The MGB2 is a unique interlocking or guard locking system for the protection of safety doors on machines and systems that, thanks to its modular approach, is more than simply a safety switch or bolt and offers a vast array of safety functionality. By incorporating additional safety modules to the MGB2, machine builders can include numerous functions, including guard locking, escape release, start/stop, emergency stop, etc. Its modular design also means the MGB2 can remove the additional need for a separate operator panel.

By integrating a CKS (Coded-Key-System) key system module, Euchner’s MGB2 can be used for electronic access control and access management as an alternative to standard, easily-manipulated key switch or password-based systems. For more complex access control or traceability, Euchner offers the EKS (Electronic-Key-System) where each Electronic-Key from the EKS transponder-based read/write system can be setup using the Electronic-Key adapter and loaded with information on specific key owners and their rights/privileges. This allows them to control specific machine functions or contain encrypted process parameters for an installation.

The MGB2, CKS and EKS systems are just three examples of the safety devices available from Euchner. For further information on these and other machinery safety solutions, the company’s technical and product support team will be on stand G120 at Drives & Controls 2022 from 5^th to 7^th April.

Alternatively, please contact Mark Staples on +44 (0)114 256 0123 or mark.staples@euchner.co.uk.

With over 600,000 workers injured in workplace accidents in the UK annually, equivalent to over 2,300 injuries per working day, the cost estimate to the UK in relation to these accidents in 2020 was over £5.6bn!

In a bid to play its part in reversing these statistics, industrial machine safety specialist Euchner (UK) Limited has launched Euchner Academy, a portfolio of machine and operator safety courses that has been designed with its customers in mind.

Commenting, Euchner’s UK Sales & Services Manager Mark Staples says: “By bringing Euchner Academy to the UK and opening our new Safety Technology Centre in Chesterfield, we can continue to help manufacturers and users meet legal safety requirements at every stage of machine and installation life cycles.

“Customers can strengthen their skills, knowledge and understanding of machine safety engineering via Euchner Academy’s comprehensive and interactive machinery safety training courses, which cover aspects including Risk Assessment and Safety Design, PUWER Inspection, UKCA/CE Marking and Safety Control System Design, as well as bespoke courses to suit individual employee and organisational requirements.”

Machine operators attending Euchner Academy approved training courses will strengthen their skills, knowledge and competency of industrial machinery safety. In addition to the theory, there’s a range of Euchner courses that are supported by hands-on, practical sessions that lead to a greater level of understanding compared to other purely academic programmes. As well as gaining the valuable skills required for their role, operators attending Euchner training courses are also helping to promote a safer workplace for everyone.

Standard training courses can be delivered at a customer’s own site or preferred location, or at the all-new Euchner Academy safety technology facility in Chesterfield, with machine safety courses covering subjects including:

PUWER Training

A one-day course covering the content and application of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). This course covers the regulations and basics of risk identification and assessment. On successful completion of the course delegates will have an understanding of their legal obligations under PUWER and how to practically apply the legislation in the workplace.

UKCA Marking Training

This one-day course covers the UKCA Certification according to the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, including the CE to UKCA transition. It covers the contents of the regulations and the implementation of harmonised standards. On successful completion, delegates will have an appreciation of the legal framework involved and an understanding of the route to conformity.

CE Marking Training

A one-day course covering the requirements to obtain CE Certification according to the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, including the relevant documentation when importing/exporting equipment. This programme covers the contents of the directive and the implementation of harmonised standards. Delegates completing the course will gain an appreciation of the legal framework involved and an understanding of the route to conformity.

Machinery Risk Assessment Training

This one-day course provides practical knowledge and experience on how to conduct a machinery risk assessment in accordance with the relevant standards. The course provides advice on how to identify, quantify and document machine related hazards using suitable templates. A structured risk-reduction methodology is introduced using the principles of ALARP resulting in a thorough knowledge of the process and solutions needed to deliver a comprehensive risk-reduction programme in the workplace.

Safety for Control Systems

A practical one-day course providing hands-on experience of safety-related components and circuits. The course is designed to give the delegate an invaluable understanding of the overall functionality and potential shortfalls of any given safety scheme, resulting in a sound appreciation of the key principles to be used when designing or modifying hard-wired safety-related control circuits.

Safety System Design & Verification

This two-day course will give the electrical designer a thorough understanding of the requirements of the safety standard BS EN ISO 13849-1:2015 – Safety of Machinery. Safety-related parts of control systems. General principles for design and BS EN ISO 13849-2:2012. At the end of the course delegates will have the confidence to design, verify and validate a machinery safety-related control system as well as the knowledge to use the SISTEMA software suite to verify and document their design.

Machine Safety for Operational Personnel

Ideal for occupational health and safety professionals as well as other stakeholders within the company, this one-day course is intended to provide the delegate with a basic appreciation of machinery safety legislation including its importance in the workplace. Course attendees are provided with the knowledge to be able to manage machinery safety through the implementation of safe operating procedures and working practices, to complement existing engineering risk reduction procedures in place.

Euchner Academy also offers bespoke safety training courses to suit the individual needs of your organisation, machinery and personnel. The training delivered during tailored safety courses can cover a broad spectrum of topics, be it exploring machinery safety for specific applications or industries or examining standards and regulations.

For 2022, the Euchner Academy machine safety training calendar is available to download from the company’s website. Delegates wanting to book courses can email services@euchner.co.uk, call +44 (0)114 256 0123 or via Eventbrite at https://lnkd.in/dTDKXbuv.

For further information on our machinery safety engineering training courses visit our training pages at www.euchner.co.uk.

The CTM transponder-coded safety switch from industrial safety engineering specialist Euchner (UK) Limited features evaluation electronics, a bistable locking function and is capable of the control of guard locking via IO-Link communication, future-proofing the device for Industry 4.0 and meaning no separate wiring is needed for the control of guard locking, because the existing communication connection is used.

Commenting, Euchner’s UK&I Country Manager David Dearden says: “As a safety device, the CTM is smart, compact, safe and features everything you need from a guard locking safety switch. However, the IO-Link version brings further benefits to the CTM range by adding the ability to lock and unlock the device over IO-Link communications, coupled with the comprehensive diagnostic data provided by the IO-Link protocol.” 

The evaluation electronics integrated within the CTM allows for simpler wiring and a greater level of detection for connection faults, short-circuits and errors. Additionally, it allows the guard locking safety switch to be wired separately or in series whilst maintaining high levels of performance, up to and including Category 4/PLe according to BS EN ISO 13849-1 and BS EN ISO 14119, ensuring the highest safety level category despite the CTM’s compact size.

The bistable locking function can prevent the deactivation of the activated guard locking in case of a power failure, ensuring that guard locking remains in its current state if the power fails or the installation is switched off. It can also prevent personnel from unintentionally locking themselves inside a potentially unsafe area if the safety door is open in the case of power failure or if the machine is switched off, meaning no additional escape release is required.

The highly compact IO-Link version of the CTM is suitable for numerous safety applications including the protection of personnel and processes, with a hygienic version consisting exclusively of food-safe materials also available for the packaging and food sectors. Featuring a locking force of 1,000N (and integral adhesive force of 25/50N) and an innovative safety ball actuator, the CTM is ideal for discreet installation on small, lightweight doors and flaps with a pivoting radius from 150mm.

For further information on the new IO-Link version and other models from the CTM guard locking safety switch range visit Euchner.co.uk, email sales@euchner.co.uk or call the technical and product support team on +44 (0)114 256 0123.