Safe automation of Automated Guided Vehicles

Pilz has been supplying components, systems and services that ensure safe production processes worldwide for more than 75 years. To provide innovative solutions for the smart industry of the future, the originally German company spends more than 15 percent of its turnover on research and development. Its headquarters are located in Ostfildern, near Stuttgart, but with 42 subsidiaries and branches, they operate on all continents. Barney Bartelink, Safety Consultant at Pilz. "Safety of man and machine is naturally of great importance to every company. After all, accidents lead to human suffering, an unpleasant working atmosphere, downtime and unnecessary costs." Among other things, Pilz offers safety solutions for the automation of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV), AGV systems and mobile platforms (AMR). 

This total solution consists of sensors, control technology and security components. With extensive service equipment and years of knowledge, Pilz is able to provide users with optimal advice. From securing an application with productive room monitoring through to the security solution to prevent unauthorized access to the AGV system. Numerous certifications also show that every effort is made at Pilz to ensure faultless, high-quality products.

Safety laser scanner

The safety laser scanner PSENscan allows AGVs not only to be secured, but also to monitor their workspace productively. The scan detects obstacles on the vehicle's route and provides optimal safety even at high speeds, without affecting productivity. Bartelink: "With up to 70 protection fields, the system can be dynamically adjusted when cornering or avoiding obstacles. This adjustment of the protection fields is done through the direct processing of encoder inputs in the laser scanner." This data is available directly through the C++ library or as ROS modules, and can be integrated into the proprietary SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) algorithm. This makes it possible to create environment maps for navigation.

Cost-effective solution

The combination of the safety laser scanner PSENscan with a modular safety relay and control and signaling devices from Pilz,offers companies a cost-effective total solution. Thanks to its long range, anything that moves is detected and located, allowing safe navigation. However, the system is also protected against unauthorized use. A nice thought, especially since the recently released report from the European Cybersecurity Agency shows that the threat of cybercrime is only increasing. "Unauthorized use can lead to a lot of economic damage and accidents. Our firewall SecurityBridge prevents access to the mobile platform's internal IT network while the machines are in use."

Accessible and flexible

Complete safety solutions from one source obviously save time and money, but customers often choose a system from Pilz because it is flexible thanks to its open interfaces. In addition, customers appreciate the accessibility of the system. Bartelink explains, "There are indeed many possibilities for integrating person detection into the AGV system with the motor systems. And programming the system is easy and can simply be done using a laptop."

Standardization and training

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, users also benefit from international conformity assessment services. Think of matching the AGV application to the requirements of ISO 3691-4. Or CE marking for AGVs and, if necessary, for the
entire application.

Pilz also offers its knowledge and expertise through an extensive training program in the areas of machine safety and industrial automation. In addition, Pilz is involved in various research projects and is in close contact with various colleges and universities.