Posted to News on 25th Jan 2020, 00:00
Keeping the flaps closed
Some fundamental framework conditions had changed shortly before the delivery date, so the safety concept for a horizontal mixer had to be adapted as quickly as possible. Within a few days, Pilz worked with special purpose machinery manufacturer Herbst to incorporate the safety gate system PSENmlock, which meets the new requirements.
A mounting position had changed, suddenly rendering the existing safety concept for the horizontal animal feed mixer ineffective and potentially preventing the plant being delivered on time. Herbst worked closely with Pilz to develop an alternative, which would safeguard the flaps on the stirrer: an appropriate solution was quickly found with the safety gate system PSENmlock, which combines safe guard locking and safe interlocking in one device.
The flexibly mounted mechanical actuator on this safety gate system ensures a high tolerance compensation, even with sagging gates. What’s more, the closing tolerance of the secure safety gate system was increased by another 10 millimetres over a mechanical system. So now there is no longer an injury risk from an overrunning stirrer, should the service and cleaning flaps be opened too early. The horizontal mixer arrived at the customer just in time.
PSENmlock offered the customer a number of benefits in this particular application. It offered a solution that was flexible enough to be incorporated into some unusual mounting positions – ideal on this special purpose machinery. Further, with the application demanding a robust solution, PSENmlock provides a long service life as it is mechanically robust and features a sturdy housing. Finally, the versatile safety gate system offers safe guard locking and safe interlocking up to PL3/SIL3 in one product.
Stephan Schöning, project manager at Herbst Maschinentechnik, described the work with Pilz as “a goal-focused action based on partnership – from definition of the task, delivery of the PSENmlock through to final implementation, including assembly in conjunction with an enhanced locking mechanism. The support we received from Pilz was exemplary.”
Herbst Maschinentechnik GmbH supplies machinery and solutions in the fields of stirring and mixing technology, custom and special purpose machinery, process-controlled machinery, plant construction, handling and discharging technology and sheet metal processing.
