Safety Protection Choices: Safety Laser Scanner or Safety Light Curtain? How to Make the Right Decision
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- Zoe
- Issue Time
- Jan 20,2025
Summary
For irregular protection zones, detailed object detection, or large-area protection, the safety laser scanner is the better choice. On the other hand, for simple flat-plane protection with high response speed requirements and a limited budget, the safety light curtain is the ideal solution.
Safety Protection Choices: Safety Laser Scanner or Safety Light Curtain? How to Make the Right Decision
Overview of Their Working Principles
Safety Laser Scanner:
It detects objects by emitting laser beams and receiving the reflected light. It can scan a 2D area and supports the configuration of multiple sensing zones. This allows it not only to detect whether an object enters the protective area but also to determine the object's position and shape. For example, in automated storage systems, a safety laser scanner can monitor the area around forklifts to prevent collisions with shelves or personnel.
Safety Light Curtain:
Composed of an emitter and a receiver, the emitter emits infrared or visible light, which is received by the receiver to form a light curtain. When an object blocks the light, the curtain detects it and triggers a safety mechanism. Safety light curtains are typically used to detect whether an object passes through a plane. For instance, when installed at the front of a punching machine, the light curtain will stop the machine if a hand or other object obstructs it.
Protection Range
Safety Laser Scanner:
The protection range is typically a fan-shaped, circular, or rectangular 2D area. The scanning angle and distance can be flexibly adjusted through software, with a coverage range from a few meters to tens of meters. High-end models can even achieve greater distances. This makes it suitable for scenarios requiring large-area or irregularly shaped protection zones.
Safety Light Curtain:
The protection range is a linear plane. Its length and beam spacing can be customized according to specific needs, with lengths ranging from tens of centimeters to several meters. It is commonly used for protecting machine tool operating zones.
Precision
Safety Laser Scanner:
It offers high precision, capable of accurately detecting the position and contour of objects. It can provide detailed identification of objects, such as distinguishing obstacles of different sizes. This makes it ideal for high-precision protection scenarios, such as safeguarding robotic work areas where precise monitoring of distances between the robot and surrounding objects is critical to avoid collisions.
Safety Light Curtain:
The precision mainly depends on the beam spacing; smaller spacing offers higher precision but increases costs. It is suitable for detecting whether objects enter a flat plane area, but it cannot provide detailed information on the object's position or shape.
Response Time
Safety Laser Scanner:
Since it requires scanning and data processing, its response time might be slightly longer, though it generally achieves millisecond-level response speeds. It is well-suited for scenarios where response speed is not extremely critical, such as AGV path protection in logistics warehouses.
Safety Light Curtain:
It features fast response times, often achieving instant reactions. Once the light beam is blocked, a safety signal is triggered immediately. This makes it highly advantageous for safeguarding high-speed, hazardous equipment like punching machines.
Installation and Commissioning
Safety Laser Scanner:
Installation is relatively complex, requiring detailed configuration of scanning areas, angles, and sensitivity. Additionally, environmental factors such as reflective surfaces must be considered to avoid interference. High-end models are equipped with visualized commissioning software, significantly simplifying the process for technicians.
Safety Light Curtain:
Installation is simpler. It typically involves fixing the emitter and receiver on both sides of the equipment and ensuring the alignment of the light path. Commissioning is straightforward, focusing mainly on adjusting basic parameters such as sensitivity.
Cost
Safety Laser Scanner:
With advanced technology and more complex functionality, safety laser scanners are relatively expensive. However, for scenarios requiring multiple complex safety detection functions, they offer better cost-effectiveness in the long run.
Safety Light Curtain:
Safety light curtains are more affordable and are a cost-effective safety solution for scenarios with simpler protection requirements.
Possible Solutions for You
LD-05D Safety Laser Scanner
▪️LD-05D supports up to 16 area groups.
▪️Scanning range: 5 m
▪️Scanning angle: 270°
▪️Scanning frequency: 15 Hz / 30 Hz
▪️Angular resolution: 0.1° / 0.3°
▪️Response time:
The response time varies depending on the angular resolution (i.e., scanning speed).
At 15 Hz: Range: 67 ms ~ 29,949 ms (≈ 30 s), default: 134 ms (two motor revolutions).
At 30 Hz: Range: 33 ms ~ 29,997 ms (≈ 30 s), default: 66 ms (two motor revolutions).
The Wide Scanning Range Light Curtain QT Series
▪️Maximum detection range: 45 m
▪️Response time: ≤15 ms
▪️Beam spacing options: 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 80 / 200 mm
▪️Switching signal and passive relay output
▪️Effectively filters out 99% of interference signals
▪️Protection features: polarity protection, short-circuit protection, self-diagnosis, and overload protection
▪️Widely applicable to large machinery such as presses, hydraulic presses, oil presses, shearing machines, and automatic doors, as well as hazardous areas requiring long-distance protection.
Related Safety Sensors
5m distance, A technique that uses a laser beam to measure distance and create detailed maps of objects and environments.
Sensing range 20m, A technique that uses a laser beam to measure distance and create detailed maps of objects and environments.
Beam spacing: 30mm
Number of optical axes: 42
Protection height: 1230mm
Safety light curtain outputs (OSSD)2 PNP
Beam spacing：20mm
Number of optical axes: 10
Protection height: 180mm
Safety Curtain outputs (OSSD):2 PNP