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Light curtains are also called light screens, optical guards, and presence sensing devices. Light curtains emit a "curtain" of infrared light beams in front of the hazardous area being protected. A stop signal is sent to the machine being guarded when any of the beams are blocked. Light curtains guard areas many meters wide, and can be diverted around corners using mirrors. Application areas include perimeter guarding for industrial robots and machinery, and point of access guarding for automated machine assemblies. A photoelectric transmitter projects an array of synchronized, parallel infrared light beams to a receiver unit. When an opaque object interrupts one or more beams, the light curtain controller sends a stop signal to the guarded machine. The transmitter unit contains light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit pulses of invisible infrared light when energized by the light curtains timing and logic circuitry. Light pulses are both sequenced (one LED after another) and modulated (pulsed at a specific frequency). The receiver unit contains phototransistors and supporting circuitry to detect only the specific pulse and the frequency designated for it.

There are several important parameters to consider when specifying light curtains.  These include spanning distance, protection height, sensitivity or resolution, response time, and operating temperature.  The spanning distance is how far the transmitter and receiver can be separated and properly function.  The transmitter and receiver must be able to function reliably within this minimum to maximum range of separation. Using mirrors reduces the operating range up to 25% per mirror. (Example: 6 inches to18 feet.)  Protection height is the dimension of the active sensing field (correlates to the number of beams required).  Sensitivity or resolution is the smallest sized object that will be positively detected by the light curtain.  The response time of the light curtain is the maximum time between actuation of sensing function and the output relays.  Operating temperature is the full-required range of ambient operating temperature.


Products & Services Related to Light Curtains
Emergency Stop Switches
Emergency stop switches are devices that users manipulate to initiate the complete shutdown of a machine, system, or process.
Intrinsic Safety Barriers
Intrinsic safety (IS) barriers are devices that limit the current, voltage, and total energy delivered to a sensor in a hazardous area or flammable environment in order to prevent an explosion.
Mechanical Safety Interlock Switches
Mechanical safety interlock switches couple a moveable guard door with the power source of the hazard. When the guard door is opened, the power is isolated, ensuring that the machine does not pose a hazard while an operator requires access.
Noncontact Safety Interlock Switches
Noncontact safety interlock switches couple a moveable guard door with the power source of the hazard. For noncontact actuating interlock switches, the guard door is linked to the control circuit contacts via a magnetic or electronic field.
Safety Edges and Safety Bumpers, Pressure Sensitive
Pressure-sensitive safety edges and safety bumpers are machine safeguarding devices that sense changes in pressure.
Safety Mats
Safety mats are presence-sensing devices used to guard a floor area around a machine or robot.
Safety Relays and Control Modules
Safety relays and control modules differ from conventional relays in that they have force-guided or positive-driven contacts.

Other Topics You Might Be Interested In
On January 26, 2007, maintenance staff at New Jersey International and Bulk Mail Center (NJI&BMC) located in Jersey City, NJ, confirmed that retrofitting existing air-curtains successfully resolved... (Read More)
Multiple sides of a machine or manufacturing cell can be guarded with a single light curtain using reflecting mirrors to bend the light beams around the corners … provided that the performance... (Read More)
“Protected height” is the length of the light curtain’s active sensing area… that is the distance from center of the first beam to the center of the last beam in the light curtain’s... (Read More)

Engineering Web: Light Curtains
Pages: 1 - 3 of 938
Safety Light Curtains: Overview
Light Curtains Perimeter Access Guarding Laser Scanner Mats Contact Strips & Bumpers Interlock Switches Force-Guided Relays Safety Systems &
See Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc. Information
Light Curtains, Light Curtains Manufacturers, Light Curtains...
Processing Equipment > Machine Safety Products > Light Curtains · Light Curtains · Machine Guards · Safety Mats
Safety light curtains from Carlo Gavazzi
Carlo Gavazzi light curtains, in conjunction with our safety modules, are suitable for use in applications up to category 4. Features include fixed

Part Numbers for Light Curtains

Part # Distributor Manufacturer Product Category Description
3RG78483TK PLC Radwell SIEMENS Not Provided LEXAN TUBE 1200MM 3RG7844 LIGHT CURTAINS
3RG78483TE PLC Radwell SIEMENS Not Provided LEXAN TUBE 600MM 3RG7844 LIGHT CURTAINS
3RG78480EQ PLC Radwell SIEMENS Not Provided LIGHT CURTAINS REFLECTOR 1650 MM
440LM8100 PLC Radwell GUARDMASTER LTD Not Provided PROGRAMMABLE INTERFACE FOR SAFETY LIGHT CURTAINS
1016513 PLC Radwell SICK OPTIC ELECTRONIC Not Provided PERIMETER SAFETY LIGHT CURTAINS

More >>
See more product announcements for Light Curtains
New Light Curtain Design from TAKEX America

New Light Curtain Design from TAKEX America
Takex America, Inc.


Fail-safe Sensors SIMATIC FS

Fail-safe Sensors SIMATIC FS
Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.


Light Curtains

Light Curtains
Pilz Automation Safety L.P.


11 See more product announcements for Light Curtains

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