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A SIMPLE APPROACH TO SAFETY: ASIsafe networks simplify the traditional approach to safety circuits by integrating both standard and safety relevant devices onto the same two-conductor cable allowing for reduced machine costs, improved machine availability and simplified maintenance.

OEM’s and end users are realizing the benefits of going away from hard-wired safety with the multitude of wires going back to the cabinet and are now in favor of a single cable wrapped around the machine. This single cable carries the power and data for standard sensors, actuators, indicators and safety relevant devices. AS-Interface networks have been characterized as the simplest to apply and have the lowest cost vs. other networks.

Open and Scalable:

Since AS-Interface is an open standard, products are designed to work hand in hand with over 300 different supplier’s products. Your existing PLC will work with AS-Interface as well. The scalability options are vast for AS-Interface network masters and gateways. In fact, we see many installations connected to Rockwell PLC’s and DeviceNet ™ .

Reduce machine costs:

OEM’s in particular are realizing the savings offered by AS-Interface networks with safety. With rising wire costs, reducing the wire content and number of wire terminations not only saves in material costs but saves electrician labor costs. Reduced commissioning times have also been reported. OEM savings for electrician and commissioning labor range from 20% to 72% depending on the application.

Improve machine availability:

Improving machine availability and thus the output of the machine is the goal of every manufacturing firm today. An ASIsafe system achieves a higher degree of availability by integrating the control and signaling into the bit level packets of data that are transmitted over the AS-Interface cable. Communications then are seamless to the PLC whether you use a PLC master card or alternatively, connecting the AS-Interface network to a higher level network via a gateway.

Getting data from lower level I/O devices allows machine operators and maintenance personnel to identify device faults immediately via an HMI. The need for waiting on maintenance personnel with their ohm meters and walkie talkies is greatly reduced since the diagnostics are mapped directly to the PLC.

Simplified Safety:

Parallel circuits are no longer required thanks to ASIsafe. By adding a Safety Monitor and safety rated input modules to the network, safety relevant devices can be easily connected to the network for applications up to category 4 (per EN954-1) and SIL 3 (per IEC 61508). The safety monitor is an intelligent safety relay which monitors the safe inputs, combines them with configurable logic and ensures safe shutdown. Safety monitors are available in either single or dual channel switching and allow either dependent or independent zone control. Configuration of the monitor is accomplished with the Windows ® based ASIMON software which utilizes a simple library to drag and drop device icons into a configuration. Special logic functions and on-off time delays are included for more complex safety circuit functions. The main advantage of ASIsafe is that a safety rated PLC is not required.

Conclusion:

With more than 10 million nodes sold, AS-Interface and the ASIsafe technology have seen tremendous acceptance in all market segments. From automotive and machine tools to conveyor systems and robotics, the benefits of AS-Interface continue to simplify safety and add dollars to the bottom line’s of OEM’s and End Users. The many benefits of an AS-Interface system follows:

Further information is available on the Internet at: http://www.automation.siemens.com/cd/as-interface/index_76.htm