>> Like its “big brother” the PLS Short Range is used for the horizontal safeguarding of hazardous areas. Experience gained from countless applications involving short-range mobile and stationary monitoring was taken into account during the conception of this device. The aim of this development was also to promote the use of this technical principle in those applications that are particularly price-sensitive and can manage with performance data that are well below those of the standard PLS.

Other requirements are valid at short range

The new scanner was designed specifically for this use: particularly noticeable in the PLS Short Range protective field range that has been reduced to 1.5 m and the lack of a data interface for the Laser Scanner Interface (LSI). These limitations are of no relevance for the specified applications: functionalities such as the connection of several scanners, their automatic selection, or the activation of different protective fields, are often unnecessary for use on small vehicles or for monitoring small stationary areas. For cost reasons there is no restart interlock – with the PLS Short Range the user can choose between an immediate restart or a delay of two seconds. Finally, for the same reason, the output current of the safe electronic switching outputs has been limited to 150 mA. On the other hand, the warning field function has been retained – a tried-and-tested advantage that can also be made use of at close range.

The price enables replacement of bumpers and small barriers

The PLS Short Range is a Category 3 non-contact safety device conforming to EN 954 and Type 3 according to IEC/EN 61496. Thus, the device does not cut back on safety – only on the price. The laser module with reduced transmission power, with application- specific optimised optics, with cheaper components because of the reduced output current, and lacking the LSI interface, offers cost benefits reflected in its price. The PLS Short Range scanner offers far-reaching advantages if one compares its flexibility and its purchase and operating costs with those of tactile bumper systems or mechanical barriers. So it is no wonder that we have already received the first large orders from customers – during its market introduction!