Optimally integrate safety solutions

The certified FIO Safety PLC EC from Kendrion meets the highest safety standards and offers maximum reliability for safety-relevant applications. Thanks to its FPU and FSoE frame, the controller is particularly suitable for use in motion control, robotics, and AGV applications. With the optionally available ENI Studio tool, the FIO Safety PLC EC can be quickly integrated into any application, thus reducing development effort for the customer.

Modern machines must have a high degree of functional safety. With the decentralized Safety PLC EC from Kendrion, machine builders easily meet these requirements: The controller monitors light barriers and safety zones, is TÜV-certified, and meets the strict requirements of the relevant international standards (IEC 61508 SIL3/DIN EN ISO 13849 PLe). Since the Safety PLC EC features numerous PLCopen-certified safety function blocks, the effort required for the development, verification, and acceptance of safety applications is significantly reduced. The controller's function blocks include emergency stop, two-hand operation, and muting.

The Safety PLC EC is programmed and configured using the free CODESYS Development System (version 3.5.19.6 and higher), and data is transferred via EtherCAT/FSoE. The Safety Editor integrated into CODESYS also allows you to create your own safety programs/function blocks. This allows even complex FSoE slaves to be safely controlled and monitored. Complex calculations (e.g., kinematic models) can also be stored directly in the Safety PLC.

The cyclic exchange of safety-related data between the Safety PLC EC and the application is carried out via freely definable exchange variables. The optionally available analysis and configuration tool ENI Studio from Kendrion ensures optimal integration of the controller into proprietary EtherCAT master systems of AGV and robotic systems. ENI Studio determines safe data in the EtherCAT frame for the user's own EtherCAT master. This guarantees seamless integration of the Safety PLC EC into EtherCAT controllers. In addition, the tool allows for flexible use of the Safety PLC EC with various EtherCAT masters.

"We developed ENI Studio specifically for the precise localization and handling of safety data in the EtherCAT frame," explains Nico Heinrich, Product Manager for Control Technology at Kendrion. The software provides the controller with all the information contained in the ENI file to correctly initialize all devices, including the safety function blocks. This creates a complete process image that includes both standard and safety data.