SICK (UK) is extending the benefits of its innovative miniTwin light curtain technology to a much wider audience, with the launch of the miniTwin 2, a cost-effective solution that meets level 'd' / SIL2 safety requirements.
The latest addition to the miniTwin family, the miniTwin 2 incorporates sender and receiver elements in a single miniature housing for continuous end-to-end field coverage.
SICK (UK) safety specialist, Seb Strutt, commented: “The miniTwin 2 provides a unique solution where traditional light curtains would be too big and awkward to install. It means that light curtain protection can be extended to a wide range of new applications and configurations, at a competitive price point.”
The new modular SICK miniTwin 2 units are 120mm – 1200mm long and can be cascaded or daisy chained end-to-end to 3600mm without any blind spots. Rapid response times permit safety monitoring with reduced reach distances for operators and therefore smaller machine footprints. Field coverage is continuous between adjacent units without loss of resolution or requiring special mountings or physical protection between curtains.
The miniTwin 2 units may be configured to protect L- shapes, V-shapes or even U-shapes, combining easy access to a work piece or to change tool bits or jigs, while offering complete protection. They are ideal where all round accessibility and visibility is required which is otherwise restricted by fixed barriers. Variable field lengths are possible to suit locations.
Each miniTwin 2 unit includes both send and receive functions and the inbuilt controls and LED status indication means any two identical units operate as a light curtain, without any requirement for an extra control unit. This is a unique feature for this size of light curtain and allows spares to be stocked as single units rather than in send/receive pairs.
The range of the miniTwin 2, up to 4 metres, slim 15mm by 32mm cross-section and choice of three object resolutions, from 14 to 34 mm, offer the best combination of safety to suit the application and work practice.
Configuration and alignment tools of the miniTwin 2 are automatic and built-in, with full status and diagnostic LED displays. The universal fixing brackets ensure rapid secure installation and the rotating connector, with standard M12 5-pin plug, will accommodate any orientation.
The miniTwin 2 is designed to meet performance level pl ‘d’ according to BS EN13849-1, or alternatively SIL2 in compliance with IEC 61508 or the sector standard BS EN62061.
In 2009, the miniTwin 4, part of the miniTwin series, won several international accolades, including both reddot and IF design awards.
For more information on the SICK miniTwin 2 please contact: Ann Attridge or Andrea Hornby on 01727 831121 or email ann.attridge@sick.co.uk or andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk.
