Posted to News on 6th Jun 2025, 10:09
Repackaging delicate items simply and safely
When A + F Automation und Fordertechnik faced the challenge of finding a safety solution for its complex Sortpacker packaging system, a solution that would both protect the operator and guarantee efficiency, it turned to Pilz.
The key issue was that the solution was to have a hybrid structure, so that plant manufacturers and operators can change the process parameters of the higher-level controller at any time, without affecting the safety controller. The focus was also on the productivity of the different process steps.
With a modular hybrid safety solution, consisting of the safety controller PNOZmulti 2, the decentralised field distributor PDP67 and the safety locking device PSENslock 2 from long-standing partner Pilz, A + F has found a complete solution that's economical and functionally coherent.
Modular solution secures the Sortpacker
Protective devices secure feed and removal apertures, cardboard and cutting magazines, as well as gates and covers on the 25-metre-long Sortpacker. The PNOZmulti 2, in conjunction with intelligent sensor technology PSEN, ensures the protection of the individual process steps as well as operating personnel: the safety locking device PSENslock 2 secures twelve gates on the A+F machine with a locking force of 1000 N each. The operator requests access when required.
Because the Sortpacker's grippers automatically move to the home position, the system does not have to be laboriously moved back to the start position. That makes the process more efficient. What's more, the safety locking device is connected to the decentralised input modules PDP67 via plug and play. The safety controller PNOZmulti 2 evaluates which gate is "open/locked", for example. This allows faults to be rectified quickly via plain text diagnostic messages on the PNOZmulti 2 display - for more productive processes.
"With a strong reputation in the packaging industry and worldwide support, Pilz is our customers' preferred supplier for Safety and Security," says Michael von Zmuda, Head of Engineering at A+F Automation + Fordertechnik. "Actually, Pilz is the only place we have found such a convincing, complete solution, which perfectly combines safety, configuration and usability, as well as diagnostics and cabling."
