Increased productivity through powerful fault diagnosis

The Schmersal Group is launching a new variant of the SD gateway for its SD bus. The user benefits in particular from the improved fault diagnosis that the new SDG Fieldbus Gateway enables. This makes it possible to increase the productivity of machines and plants by minimising downtimes and simplifying commissioning and maintenance. It is also user-friendly and easy to install.

Electronic safety sensors and solenoid interlocks with SD interface can transmit comprehensive status and diagnostic data to a higher-level machine control system.

The data from the series-connected safety switching devices is sent to the SDG fieldbus gateway via the SD bus and from there to the machine control system via fieldbus.  In this way, for example, error messages - such as overtemperature, incorrect or defective actuator or invalid combination of actuators - can be forwarded.  

The diagnostic information is transmitted separately from the safety signals. Warning messages enable a controlled shutdown of the process and targeted maintenance without interrupting the process. The new version of the SD gateway also offers a web server and has a microSD memory card and thus offers the following features:

• Event logs can be evaluated live via the web interface.
• The complete diagnostic data of all connected safety switchgear is displayed in plain text in the browser.
• Guard locking devices and control panels, for example, can be controlled directly via the web interface.
• The microSD card allows the event logs to be exported for evaluation and long-term storage.
• The configuration of the series connection is stored on the microSD card, so that a smooth device exchange is also ensured in the event of a fault.

In the near future, Schmersal will further expand the functionalities of the SDG Fieldbus Gateway so that the data of the connected safety switchgear can be transmitted via the common fieldbus protocols PROFINET, EtherNet /IP and Modbus in addition to EtherCAT. In addition, the networking options are to be expanded via the connection to the communication systems IO-Link and OPC UA.

Another advantage of the SD bus system, which should not be underestimated, is also retained with the new gateway: By connecting sensors and guard locking devices in series with the SD bus - an SD gateway can communicate with up to 31 safety switching devices - this safety solution enables very lean wiring and saves costs without sacrificing performance levels (series connection for applications up to PL e). The setup and commissioning of an SD installation are designed to be as convenient as usual: All devices are automatically addressed by the gateway.