Safe test rigs at Schüco

Complete solutions for safe test rigs at Schüco, comprising sensor, control and drive technology

“We were looking for a competent automation partner with wide-ranging solutions expertise and opted for Pilz. Not just because we already have a long-standing, fruitful relationship that binds us, but because the products, solutions, the quality of the advice and Pilz’s holistic approach prove convincing, time after time.” That’s the view of Michael Kaumkötter, Service and Maintenance Manager at Schüco Alu Competence.

Schüco meets quality and safety standards

Schüco has its headquarters in Bielefeld and manufactures products in the metalworking, plastic and "new energies" sectors. It is market leader for innovative building envelopes with windows, doors, facades and solar solutions. Before windows and French windows leave the company, a combination test rig for window fittings examines every product in accordance with DIN EN 13126-8. Schüco uses Pilz to ensure that the operators involved in the process are safe.

Integrated, overall solution from Pilz

The combination window test rig is enclosed by a safety fence; emergency stop pushbuttons are installed to guarantee an immediate safe stop if necessary. The safety gates are protected using a safety gate system with magnetic guard locking, PSENslock. The system offers secure safety gate monitoring combined with non-contact magnetic interlocks.

Over the course of the test procedure, the servo amplifier PMCprotego D is used in conjunction with the safety card PMCprotego S to pivot windows and French windows around 90 degrees, tilt them and close them again some ten thousand times. No additional hardware is required to monitor safe speed; the standard feedback from the servo motor PMCtendo AC3 is used. In doing so the configurable control system PNOZmulti Mini has every safety-related function in its sights: as well as overseeing the sensors that monitor the safety gates and E-STOP/reset buttons, the control system, which has 20 digital inputs, 4 digital semiconductor outputs and 2 relay outputs, also monitors the operating mode selector switch and servo amplifiers.

User benefits

Safety functions are easy to implement thanks to the safety card Protego DS

Flexible solution, as applications are open for various fieldbus systems

Fast, user-friendly parameter setting and commissioning thanks to the configuration software PASconfig S Drive