The introduction of EN 954-1 and IEC 61508 regulations, which govern machinery safety and electrical controls, open up opportunities for users of networked control systems.
Legislation reduces bus-based automation costs The introduction of EN 954-1 and IEC 61508 regulations, which govern machinery safety and electrical control technology, open up enormous opportunities for users of networked control systems. It is now possible for networks such as AS Interface (ASi-Bus) to carry both control logic and safety data across the same bus line. Siemens Automation and Drives recently launched its own Safety Integrated initiative, which includes everything from failsafe PLCs and I/O modules to emergency stop buttons and light curtains.

Based around ProfiSafe, which is the new safety network developed from Profibus DP, and the AS Interface derivative, ASi-Safe, the new networks can be used to provide complete machine control or site-wide communication.

The reduction in both installation and material costs, thanks to the acceptance of the internationally recognised control bus protocols AS Interface and Profibus DP, as part of a safety integrated system, is bound to improve automation systems in factories and machine shops.

Both ASi-Safe and ProfiSafe are completely compatible with existing AS Interface and Profibus DP networks and network components.

This means that there is no need for any hardware or software changes to be made to existing control architectures.

Neither is there a requirement for users of automated control systems to invest in new programmable controllers (PLCs).

In addition, all solutions are fully backward compatible with either existing AS Interface or Profibus DP installations.

'The reduction in cabling and installation costs alone will save considerable costs.' explains Siemens Automation and Drives' Product Manager, UK Networks Paul Hingley.

'The ability to use standard, industry recognised components such as Simatic PLCs and Sinumerik machinery control means that systems integrators and end users can now obtain a complete, safe data and conventional I/O data solution from one supplier.'