What is the goal of functional safety? The short answer: to minimise the risks posed by technical equipment to people and the environment. Machining or machine tools, for example, can endanger operators or technicians through tools rotating at high speed. Functionally safe system solutions for machines and plants are based on a consistent architecture right down to the mechanical interface. This results in potential savings in terms of space, time and costs as well as expanded possibilities in application. Certified hardware and software are used to simplify the project planning and development of applications with safety solutions.
Consistent and safe communication facilitates the commissioning as well as the operation of machines and systems. The drive controllers COMBIVERT F6 and Servo Drives S6 from KEB Automation offer integrated safety functions directly in the drive. In the device variant “APPLICATION” Ethernet-based bus systems are switchable via software and thus enable a flexible fieldbus connection to the superimposed control level, for example via PROFInet. Communication via the safe fieldbus protocol PROFIsafe has now been integrated and certified in the units. This reduces the amount of wiring required in the application.
Programming: The integration of drives with integrated safety into the Siemens TiA-Portal PROFInet network takes place with the help of GSD files that have been checked for conformity in advance. Based on this, the safe fieldbus communication between different F-Devices (safety devices) is realised. With the COMBIVERT F6 and S6 APPLICATION drive controllers (with type 3 safety module), the corresponding encoder-related safety functions can be selected and used via the configuration.
The COMBIVERT F6 and S6 device series cover a wide power range from 0.75 kW to 450 kW and can be used to operate different motor technologies such as asynchronous, synchronous, synchronous reluctance, IPM, torque, linear and high-speed motors with speeds up to 45,000 rpm. The COMBIVIS 6 commissioning and diagnostic software makes it easy for customers to use the various systems. Software wizards provide support for necessary adjustments. This makes it possible to optimise the drive system for different requirements even without detailed knowledge.