How the Safety Systems Work
Safety applications based on certified software are programmed using function blocks such as counters, timers or speed monitors. Running on dedicated safety controllers, this replaces the traditionally hard-wired safety circuitry. Implementation of the safety application in software reduces the number of both safety components and standard I/O modules. Along with the replacement of discrete cabling by safety data transfer via the existing network connections, this greatly minimizes both costs and complexity of safety installations. Due to the use of existing network connections, varying machine layouts and options do not require dedicated safety connections. This also improves flexibility and freedom of safety application design as well as modifications of existing plants and machines during their lifecycle. Also, diagnostic signals can be transferred without any additional hardware. All in all, using integrated safety speeds up engineering and substantially shortens time to market.