Area Scanner
What detection principle allows the scanner to calculate distance?
Diffuse-reflection time-of-flight, where the device measures the time energy re-diffused by objects takes to return, translating it directly into distance measurements to build a 2D map.
How does the scanner signal a safety stop?
When a measurement enters a preconfigured protection zone, the scanner de-energizes its OSSD (Output Signal Switching Device) safety outputs, sending a certified signal to the downstream controller to stop hazardous motion.
What safety rating do industrial area scanners typically hold?
They are typically Type 3 / SIL 2 / PLd, Category 3, ensuring compliance with ISO 13849-1 risk graph requirements for severity, frequency, and avoidance parameters.
An Area Scanner (Safety Area Scanner) is a Type 3 certified safety device using diffuse-reflection time-of-flight laser (LiDAR) technology to construct a real-time 2D polar map of its environment. It detects objects crossing configurable protection or warning zones to trigger machine stops, ensuring safety in industrial settings.
In manufacturing and shop-floor maintenance, area scanners are mounted vertically or horizontally to define flexible protection zones around robots, AGVs, or hazardous machinery without physical fencing. They slow or stop equipment only when an operator enters the zone and resume motion once the area is clear, enabling efficient workflow while maintaining safety. This adaptability reduces downtime and allows dynamic reconfiguration of safety perimeters as production needs change.
Incorrect Safety Distance Calculation: Failure to apply the formula S = (K × T) + DDS + Z (ISO 13855:2024) leads to insufficient stopping distance, allowing a human to reach the hazard before the machine stops.
Zone Configuration Errors: Defining protection zones that ignore structural conditions or floor space causes false stops (nuisance tripping) or missed detections of personnel.
Over-reliance on Reaction Time: Using area scanners for applications requiring extremely fast response times (e.g., high-speed pressing) is problematic due to the scanner's 60–120 ms response time; light curtains or safety edges are superior.