S I C K S C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E

www.sick.com
1 _ 2 0 0 9
Sensors with IO-Link
New means of communication
with automation systems
Page 08
3D Cameras Ranger E
Minimizing costs thanks to the
innovative MultiScan function
Page 19
Delivery reliability
Customers trust in
delivery on time
Page 22
> 52 new products
in 52 weeks
: Applications
2
01 2009
INNOVATION MARATHON Stage 1
Whats in store
after the crisis
Dear Readers,
One year ago, barely anyone would have declared 2009 a year of crisis. And
we would have dismissed as doom-mongering any prophecies of the great-
est economic crisis since the German currency reform. But suddenly it was
here, hitting our industry with full force a situation we do not wish to gloss
over. However, with this issue of SICKinsight, we would like to look at the
crisis from a different perspective: For every crisis offers many opportunities
and certainly, it will end eventually. Consequently, now is exactly the time
for innovation and for a determined look ahead.
At SICK, we have turned this point of view into an agenda. With our Innova-
tion Marathon, we will be present you 52 highly innovative products over 52
weeks. Thus, we are making one thing utterly clear: precisely in the present
crisis, we are committed to our fundamental values. SICK Sensor Intel-
ligence thrives on continuous innovation and reliable quality, irrespective of
the current situation. In this connection, our activities in research and devel-
opment aim at intelligent products and customer-oriented solutions that we
will measure against your requirements.
In the context of our Innovation Marathon, however, we are pushing ahead
even further. Especially in this difficult state of affairs, we would like to join
you in looking ahead to the future, following the motto, When the sea is too
rough for fishing, the fishermen mend their nets.
No doubt, the sea is rough. Hence, now is the time to invest your strength in for-
ward-looking plans, getting you in shape when the sea calms down. At that very
point, the productivity of your machinery and facilities will play a crucial role.
Therefore, let us make you an offer: Join our product and application experts
at this very moment in discussing optimizations of production, material flow,
and machine performance in your company. Let us work together, thinking
today about tomorrow and preparing individual solutions for you. Utilize our
expertise to address the question of how you can position your enterprise
well for the future. You will find some initial good ideas in this issue of SICK-
insight. We look forward to developing many more with you. Take us up on
our offer and confront us with a challenge. We are looking forward to it!
With best wishes
Markus Paschmann | Member of the Executive Board, Factory Automation
: Editorial
INNOVATION MARATHON Preview
INNOVATION MARATHON Stage 1
INNOVATION MARATHON Preview
: Applications
Hysteresis minimized, process reliability optimized 04
Intelligent identification at the Gemini Gate ........05
Encoder solutions for wind turbines
and solar power plants ..........................................06
Palletizing individually, protecting intelligently ....07
Sensors with IO-Link ..............................................08
Inspecting processing quality of camshafts .........09
Safety agenda 2010 ..............................................10
New photoelectric switch solution for Krones......11
Gantry crane optimizes removal of material ........12
Delicate solutions for delicatessen packaging ....13
Perfect portfolio for rotor spinning machines ......14
Olitalia relies on refined barcode solution ........15
TEEKANNE: No tea break for sensors from SICK ...16
Safety in the air envelope...................................17
Component detection in
transparent transport packages ...........................18
3D quality testing for IKEA wardrobes ..................19
Precision solutions for position polling .................20
: Technology
Automating in the best way with light grids..........21
: Interview
Delivery competence complets
technological competence ...................................22
: Products
Product News .........................................................24
Perfect collision protection in any weather ..........27
W4S-3 for extreme requirements .........................28
Pressure measurement for factory automation ...29
Minivation sets new standards
in safety light curtains ...........................................30
Encoders that set record highs .............................31
Product News .........................................................32
The CLV6xx barcode scanner platform from SICK ...33
Changing of the guard
among luminescence sensors .............................34
Product News .........................................................35
Safexpert updates ..................................................36
Functional accessories for top sensor performance 37
: SICK Tour
SICK opens Application Center in Singapore .......38
Subsidiary in Toronto founded ..............................38
Encoder prize game at the SPS/IPC/DRIVES .......38
Successful safetyPLUS

practice afternoons ...39

SICK as the quality brand Sensor Intelligence. ..39
Subsidiaries celebrate! ..........................................39
: Internet
sick.com with a new look .......................................40
: Info ...................................................................41
: News
03
Firm date in logistics specialists calendars
>> In the context of the series of events
called Day of Logistics (an initiative by
the German Logistics Association), at
SICK in Waldkirch experts will address,
in a variety of presentations, the wide-
ranging aspects of logistics as a com-
petitive factor.
Among other things, the lectures will
deal with an examination of regional lo-
gistics infrastructures, the optimization
of logistical processes as interplay of
humans and automation, and the utiliza-
tion of opportunities that operative logis-
tics driven by management ratios offers
against the backdrop of the current eco-
nomic situation. Of course, part of the
event program will be a guided tour of
SICKs modern Logistics Center.
More information on the Day of Logis-
tics 2009 as well as the option of online
registration is available on the Internet
at www.tag-der-logistik.de
>> Runners that cover a distance of 21 or
even 42.195 kilometers successfully pos-
sess a high degree of power, fitness, and
continuity anyway. Equipped with SICK
Innovation Marathon running shirts
that fit this years motto and with sights
set ahead, 22 employees from SICK par-
ticipated in this years Freiburg Marathon,
joining more than 10,000 runners from
50 nations. Whereas eight employees
from SICK tackled the marathon at 11:05
a.m., the other 14 colleagues crossed the
starting line for the half marathon at 2
p.m., together with the well-known athlete
Dieter Baumann. Positioned along the
marathon route, 42 bands provided the
lively tunes that spurred the runners on.
Because of the regular joint training
of SICKs Workshop Endurance, which
took place on a regular basis during the
lunch break, the runners were very well
prepared. The speaker of the workshop,
Christof J. Meyer, regretted very much
that due to an injury he was unable to
run the marathon this year. After all, in
the two previous years SICKs marathon
team won first place in the team clas-
sification of the South Baden Company
Championship held in the context of
Freiburgs Marathon.
Clocking an average time of 3:23:54,
in this years installment, Team SICK
secured second place in the company
marathon, which saw six companies
make the rankings. The team results
in the team marathon improved by 14
minutes and 20 seconds. Markus Dirr
delivered the highlight of the day: He
ran his personal best with a phenom-
enal time of 2:57:59, more than ful-
filling a long-standing dream of his. In
the half marathon, Christian Beier, who
had registered late, once again secured
the first place in Team SICK Sensor In-
telligence.
Power, perseverance, and sights set ahead clearly
during SICKs marathon year
Freiburg Marathon 2009
At SICK, marathon has become an agenda this year. On 29 March, 22 moti-
vated employees from SICK participated in the Sixth Freiburg Marathon, thus
driving home the message of SICKs Innovation Marathon. Team SICK Sensor-
Intelligence put up a united front, proving its fitness and missing the third win
in succession by a mere 38 seconds.
Now scrolling online!
www.sickinsight.de www.sick.com/
innovation_marathon
Dieter Baumann won the half marathon
: Applications
01 2009
04
Innovation Marathon Stage 1
>> KERN-LIEBERS is an international
supplier for system manufacturers in
the automotive, textiles, and consumer
goods industries. At more than 50 loca-
tions worldwide, the corporate group de-
velops and manufactures precision prod-
ucts made of flat steel and wire in the
highest quality. Here at the Schramberg
plant, we looked for a suitable sensor so-
lution for a newly developed longitudinal
transfer system, a solution with which to
detect two switching points in pneumatic
cylinders separately in very confined in-
stallation space and at merely 3 mm of
stroke, says Manuel Pfaff from Construc-
tion of Operating Equipment and Special
Machinery at Hugo Kern und Liebers
Precision solution with magnetic cylinder sensor
Hysteresis minimized,
process reliability optimized
A cylinder sensor that detects and indicates two switch-
ing points separately even at merely 3 mm of stroke for
Hugo Kern und Liebers GmbH & Co. KG, the MZ2Q C-slot
was the solution for precise positioning of work carriers on a
longitudinal transfer system.
GmbH & Co. KG. Using the switching
signal, the machine controller detects
whether each indexing bolt has reached
its end position, as a result of which the
respective work carrier is positioned on
its workstation accurately to within the
required 0.02 mm. If the indexing bolt
stops more than 0.1 mm from the prede-
termined end position, then positioning
accuracy is no longer guaranteed, and
the machine switches off.
The solution: high-precision
version of MZ2Q C-slot
The task was solved using a special ver-
sion of the MZ2Q C-slot magnetic cylin-
der sensor with minimized hysteresis.
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.kern-liebers.de
The magnetic cylinder sensor offers two
freely adjustable switching points in one
very compact device. This allows detect-
ing the starting and end positions of the
cylinder pistons. A special feature of the
longitudinal transfer system, the short
cycle times allow only cylinder strokes
of 3 mm, explains Manual Pfaff. This
eliminated conventional sensors first,
because there is no space to accom-
modate two sensors in the short C-slot
of the pneumatic cylinder; secondly, be-
cause the switching hysteresis was too
great and the controller incapable of pro-
cessing any unambiguous positioning
signals. For this reason, at SICK a high-
precision version was developed from
the MZ2Q standard sensor. It meets
the requirements of Kern-Liebers. Using
drop-in mounting, the sensor is installed
protected in the C-slot, i.e. inserted from
above and fastened with standard tools.
Now the switching points can be ad-
justed and fine-tuned in a user-friendly
way with the cylinder sensor already in-
stalled, i.e. this makes shifting the sen-
sor mechanically in the slot unneces-
sary, since this, judging from experience,
usually results in problems concerning
secure attachment, Manuel Pfaff points
to a crucial advantage. The minimized
hysteresis ensures that even with travel
of merely 3 mm, the sensor outputs only
the switching signal for one piston posi-
tion. This plus the overtravel, which is
short at any rate, plus the short response
times of the MZ2Q made it possible to
optimize the precision of work carrier
positioning and thus the performance
and process reliability of the longitudinal
transfer system, confirms Manuel Pfaff.
Incidentally, the high-precision ver-
sion of the MZ2Q is generally available,
thus representing an appropriate alter-
native solution, when the goal is high-
precision detection of two switching
points in the context of confined instal-
lation space and short strokes.
Product of the Month
April
The MZ2Q optimizes performance and
process reliability of the longitudinal
transfer system
www.sick.com/innovation_marathon
05
Innovation Marathon Stage 1 : Applications
>> In contrast to stationary conveying
systems with their defined transport di-
rections, the environment of RFID portals
in the non-stationary material flow, e.g.
involving stacker trucks in the incoming
and outgoing goods department, are sub-
jected to permanent changes or ambigui-
ties. Pallets with their own transponder
are parked temporarily near the portal
or are transported in different directions
through the portal in some cases with-
out being loaded immediately. For pro-
cess reliability in automated tracking of
goods flows, however, it is decisive to be
able to detect unambiguously whether or
not a pallet identified by the RFID portal
will be loaded onto or unloaded from a
truck otherwise successive material
flow and inventory management systems
have no chance to map the goods flow
promptly, consistently, and congruently,
says Dr. Andr Mannel, Team Leader RFID
Solutions at Dematic GmbH. Against this
backdrop, the Offenbach-based supplier
of intralogistics solutions, Dematic, and
SICK have cooperated closely to develop
the Gemini Gate.
Combined sensor technological
solution comprised of RFID system
and laser measurement
One of the two central components of
the Gemini Gate is the RFI644 a high-
performance RFID system on UHF basis
designed for logistics automation. Due to
the long range of up to 6 m and fast data
transmission, the scanning points in the
Gemini Gate can be constructed by portal
construction method. In addition to the
RFI641, the LMS100 laser measurement
system is the second central element of
the combined solution. It maps the entire
environment around the reading portal,
detecting and suppressing even complex
disturbance variables. In this way, it is not
RFID + laser measurement in the goods flow
Intelligent identification
at the Gemini Gate
The Gemini Gate developed jointly by Dematic and SICK an
RFID reading portal with integrated LMS100 laser measurement
system now allows reliable identification, position determina-
tion, and tracking of pallets all the way to the outside areas and to
the loading space of a truck or swap body.
only possible to detect the object that is
moving through the gate but to determine
its location, position, and direction, ex-
plains Andr Mannel. Moreover, by means
of reference measurements it is possible
to eliminate interfering stationary objects
from the measurements. Another advan-
tage: As opposed to conventional sensor
technology, this technology allows mea-
suring objects according to size, shape,
speed, and position as well as detecting
complete movement profiles.
RFID system and laser measurement
technology in direct interplay
In the Gemini Gate, the RFI641 and the
LMS100 exchange the relevant data di-
rectly with one another. For this applica-
tion, we have developed a special reader
program that ensures a comprehensive
processing of the readings and pre-fil-
tering of the results, while at the same
time controlling the signal generators
mounted on the gate, explains Andr
Mannel. This interplay of the sensor
technology in the Gemini Gate, self-suf-
ficient in terms of control technology, fa-
cilitates system integration and retrofits
of existing gate solutions. For instance,
start-up can be adjusted to the respec-
tive customer environment in a simple
and service-friendly way.
Evaluation of measured data and mon-
itoring of functions in Asset Manager
Since apart from the objects track, their
size and shape is measured as well, it
is possible to infer the respective type
of object. For example, it becomes dis-
cernible whether a person, lift truck
with or without load, or a forklift is mov-
ing through the gate. The evaluation of
this additional information in the Asset
Manager software a tool for tracking
pallets and other logistical units devel-
oped by Dematic provides further data
concerning the quality and reliability of
the reading. The Asset Manager per-
mits, via the new information concern-
ing object size, type and speed from the
laser measurement, additional means of
evaluation that can be used both toward
process optimization and continuous
fault and performance monitoring of the
gate, Andr Mannel points out.
The bottom line: By means of integrat-
ed detection of the environment via laser
measurement technology, the Gemini
Gate makes RFID applications and thus
processes in the supply chain safer.
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Central component of the innovative combined solution:
the LMS100 laser measurement system
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the partner:
www.dematic.de
www.sick.com/innovation_marathon
: Applications
>> When it comes to automation solu-
tions for facilities to generate energy
from renewable sources, SICK-Steg-
mann is positioned sustainably: Just
in the field of speed-controlled wind tur-
bine generation systems in onshore and
offshore operation, more than 20,000
multiturn encoders from the ATM60 se-
ries are in use today with numbers on
the rise. Added to this are tasks in solar
power systems in which rotary encoders
such as the new programmable DFS60
or the DKS40 determine paths and po-
sitions in tracking systems for photovol-
taic modules. What is at least equally as
important especially for use in wind tur-
bine generator systems is their distinct
EMC, since, on the one hand, the sen-
sors are often installed relatively close to
the rotor and thus near the generator
that converts the rotational energy into
electric power. On the other hand, due
to their construction height, wind turbine
generator systems and thus their com-
ponents are exposed to increased risk
of lightning strikes during thunderstorms.
Certainly, the rotor blades are generally
equipped with a lighting protective and
earthing system nevertheless, a rest
of electromagnetic energy remains, to
which the encoders mentioned are in-
sensitive, however.
Wind power: encoders ensure
the generation of energy at a
high degree of effectiveness
In many wind turbine generator systems,
incremental encoders of the DFS60 series
are used to measure rotor speed. Upon
reaching the maximum generator torque,
but also at the point when the system is
switched off in case of high wind speeds
with approx. force 10-12 on the Beaufort
scale to avoid damage due to mechanical
overload, the rotational speed of the rotor
must be limited or, respectively, reduced.
To this end, the aerodynamic efficiency of
the rotor blades is diminished by moving
them out of the optimum angle of attack.
In many wind turbine generator systems,
this procedure, called pitching, takes
place by means of absolute multiturn en-
coders of the ATM60 series and, in the
future, of the new AFM60 series, which
distinguish themselves by a high degree
of ruggedness and concurrently high ac-
curacy. Wind turbine generator systems
with horizontal axis of rotation featuring
variable rotational speeds and controlled
pitch have become the standard today. In
order to achieve maximum efficiency and
also because wind does not represent a
constant, it is necessary in these facili-
ties to realign not only the pitch of the ro-
tor blades but also the nacelle in accor-
Encoder solutions for wind turbines and solar power plants
Rotative is innovative
Whether the goal is to measure the rotor speed of a wind turbine
generator system, adjust its rotor blades corresponding to wind
conditions, or to track solar panels in accordance with the solar
path everywhere rotary encoders provide for efficient genera-
tion of energy.
dance with the wind direction. Installed
on the tower and rotatable horizontally,
multi-stage planetary gear sets equipped
with ATM60 or AFM60 encoders, so-
called yaw (or azimuth) drives, ensure
that the nacelle with the rotor always has
its nose turned toward the wind.
Solar power: always at the optimum an-
gle to the sun with the help of encoders
The term azimuth plays a decisive role in
efficiently converting natural energy into
electrical power not only in the sphere of
wind power but also in the construction
and operation of solar power stations. Here
azimuth means the respective current de-
viation of a solar panel from the orienta-
tion due south. This tracking of the panels
by means of so-called tracking systems in
accordance with the current position of the
sun allows the sun to hit the solar cells at
a ninety-degree angle all the time. In this
way, one can achieve the best possible
energy yield, which exceeds that of station-
ary panels by up to 40%. Depending on
the tracking system, the devices employed
for distance measurement and position
detection are either incremental encoders
of the DKS40 series mounted directly
on the shaft of the tracking systems main
drive or of the DFS60 series.
Whether wind or solar energy even
today, the encoders from SICK STEGMANN
are already proving their worth in many
places as innovative solutions for innova-
tive energies.
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
Innovation

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Innovation Marathon Stage 1
01 2009
www.sick.com/innovation_marathon
06
: Applications
>> Grsslin Automationssysteme based
in St. Georgen (Black Forest) specializes
in application-specific solutions for auto-
mated palletizing and transfer technolo-
gy. The best example of this is the PS 10
palletizing system. With respect to the
mechanical model, one can choose from
different options regarding the supplying
of tray stacks, the degree of automation
of the infeed, or the gripper and handling
solutions for trays and workpieces. The
control philosophy is modular as well:
Depending on the robot functionality,
the central drive and control design can
control up to eight servo axes for tray or
workpiece handling, also supporting in-
tegration of different handling kinemat-
ics via the controller software.
Different sensor technology integrated
Since PS-10 palletizing systems are
equipped with automated handling and
robot systems, the working area of the
machine represents a potential source of
danger in case a person reaches into the
machine during ongoing operation. For
this reason, the feeding and discharge
section of the tray stacks are monitored
with a C2000 safety light curtain. Among
other things, RE300 non-contact safety
switches from SICK are used to protect
the safety doors in the area of the robot
axes for tray and workpiece handling.
However, the added benefit for the PS
10 in terms of automation technology is
the modular Flexi Soft, because it offers
a great variety of functions and it can be
programmed easily.
Planning, configuration
and wiring on the PC
Thus, the hardware configuration of
the Flexi Soft took place by means of
the drag & drop principle via the inter-
face of the Flexi Soft Designer, which is
structured in a particularly intuitive way.
This saves an enormous amount of time
Flexi Soft does a great job as safety solution with utmost flexibility
Palletizing individually, protecting intelligently
Modularity, individuality, and quality distinguish the palletizing
systems of Grsslin Automationssysteme GmbH. So what would
fit better with these handling solutions than a safe control design,
which like the Flexi Soft safety controller from SICK supports
precisely these machine features in conjunction with functional
safety sensor technology?
when configuring the safety solution,
making it possible to copy a solution,
once defined, as many times as desired
for machines featuring the same func-
tion. Another benefit of the Flexi Soft de-
sign is the fact that the safety solution
safety controller in control cabinet 1 is
responsible for the safety monitoring of
the emergency stop pushbutton and of
the C2000 safety light curtain. Both are
connected by means of an I/O module,
just the same as three UE12 24VDC con-
trol voltage load disconnecting relays. In
terms of output, the Flexi Soft acts direct-
ly on the axes of the palletizing module:
the second Flexi Soft CPU in the upper
control cabinet is also fitted with a an
I/O module featuring eight inputs and
four outputs as well as an eight-channel
input module. The focus with respect to
safety technology is on monitoring the
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.graesslin-automation.de
lends itself to easy modification. If a new
safety-monitoring feature is added, e.g.
an additional emergency stop pushbut-
ton or an external contact, these items
are included in the software. As a result,
the safety controller fully supports the
flexibility of the machine design.
Safety solution integrated into
PROFIBUS-DP of the palletizing system
For reasons of functionality, the PS 10
palletizing system has two separate con-
trol cabinets with one safety controller
each. Both CPUs communicate via their
safe EFI (enhanced function interface)
bus interface both with one another and
with the PLC of the palletizer via the stan-
dard UE1140 PROFIBUS Gateway. The
different safety door switches. All of the
safety components from SICK are certi-
fied according to the new safety stan-
dards and thus represent trendsetting
technology.
The upshot: Just as there is not only
one PS 10 palletizing system, there is also
not merely one Flexi Soft safety controller.
Both thrive in crucial ways on the fact that
with their help it is possible to generate
easily efficient and top-quality system so-
lutions from a module-making kit.
Innovation Marathon Preview
Product of the Month
August
07
: Applications
01 2009
Innovation Marathon Preview
>> The WTB18C-3 and WTB27C photo-
electric proximity switches with IO-Link
from SICK are devices featuring different
ranges and construction designs. Due to
their special chip technology are elec-
tronically adjustable, they remain unin-
fluenced by disturbances close to the
application, e.g. electromagnetic fields
of drives on conveyor systems or ambi-
ent light sources, providing extremely
accurate and reliable detection results
largely independent of object shape or
material surface.
Two machines, two processes,
one sensor technology
When using IO-Link photoelectric proxim-
ity switches from the WT18-3 series in a
carton packaging machine, the end user
can fully automatically adjust the sen-
sors to the geometrical properties of the
cartons in accordance with the respec-
Sensors featuring IO-Link open up new possibilities of commu-
nication with automation systems. After successfully integrating
photoelectric proximity switches or magnetic cylinder sensors
from SICK into various applications, well-grounded feedback from
practical operations is now available on the question as to what
the user gets out of it.
tive packaging batch to be processed
by using either the control panel or the
stored job data. To this end, upon start-
up of the machine, an exact adjustment
of the scanning distance of the pho-
toelectric switches was carried out for
each format to be processed, using the
teach field on the touch-screen machine
terminal. During operation, the optimum
parameters, e.g. the scanning distance
of the sensor, are retrieved from the au-
tomation system, transferred to the sen-
sors, and, if required, displayed on the
panel. Mechanical readjustment of the
sensors becomes redundant more-
over, the settings of the WTB18C-3 are
100 percent reproducible from one task
to the other and thus reliable. Eventu-
ally, the communication capability of the
IO-Link sensors in this case embedded
into the existing control and Profibus DP
design of the carton packaging system
has simplified the operation of the ma-
chine to an unprecedented extent.
With respect to the operation of a
wood-processing machine, the focus of
attention is on minimizing batch-related
make-ready and adjustment times. Prior
to feeding the wood products in, hydrau-
lic actuating drives are brought into a po-
sition that allows collision-free feeding of
different sizes. In this context, the maxi-
mum travel of the actuating drives is sig-
nificantly greater than usually required in
process technology. With the WTB27-3
photoelectric proximity switches, it was
possible to minimize the respective
travel required, thus saving valuable set-
up time. In order to guide the actuating
drives into the optimum waiting posi-
tion in the respective instance, the ma-
chine controller uses the IO-Link to read
into each photoelectric proximity switch
the very value that it was taught at start-
up for the respective format and that
was saved in the controller. After each
>> Info box
IO-Link technology is characterized by a standardized, manufacturer-indepen-
dent protocol for data exchange between a sensor or actuator and the IO-Link
field module, from which data is transferred to a bus system. With respect to
data transfer, one distinguishes two categories: on the one hand, IO-Link-spe-
cific, e.g. binding on all manufacturers and concerning only data polling, e.g.
manufacturer ID, device ID, and serial number; and, on the other hand, manu-
facturer-specific, the type that made it possible for SICK to extend the data
transfer using the chip technology of the photoelectric proximity switches to
such an extent that even parameterization, e.g. remote adjustment of scanning
distance via IO-Link, became possible.
This added value is an essential prerequi-
site for controlling processes at all via the
sensor, directly out of the machine.
08
Gateway for integration of sensors
into the control unit
Serves the user right!
Sensors with IO-Link
Innovation

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format change, the value in the photo-
electric proximity switch is overwritten
by the new value. As soon as the pho-
toelectric proximity switch detects the
actuating drive in the desired distance,
it is stopped.
More flexibility, more availability
Both in the packaging machine and in
the woodworking machine, IO-Link ren-
ders the processes controllable in a
flexible way, while at the same time in-
creasing machine performance. Thus,
the technology offers end users crucial
added value as compared to tradition-
al sensor integration. Thanks to IO-Link,
it is possible to optimize the availability
of the entire machine, e.g. by preventive
maintenance. Both in the packaging ma-
chine and in the woodworking machine,
the photoelectric proximity switches in-
dicate the degree of their pollution inde-
pendently. At this time, the sensor func-
tion is still guaranteed unconditionally
but the information allows maintaining
the facility during an operating break,
thus preventing downtimes caused by
unplanned machine stoppages. Con-
versely, for scheduled equipment main-
tenance, one can poll all of the connect-
ed IO-Link sensors via the automation
system. In case of a malfunction, the ma-
chine operator is able, via this diagnostic
function, to get an idea of the possible
causes from a central location. All of the
important data, e.g. signal quality, the
status of the switching output, or a pos-
sible short circuit, are displayed on the
machines operating panel. Thus, many
errors can be fixed even by operating
personnel that has no special knowledge
concerning automation.
The upshot: for users, IO-Link opens
up new opportunities of increasing ef-
ficiency and productivity as well as re-
ducing costs. SICK is perfectly suited as
a partner for this purpose on the one
hand, because even today, a wide variety
of IO-Link devices and integration tech-
nologies are available, e.g. photoelec-
tric proximity switches, automation light
grids, magnetic cylinder sensors, or IO-
Link field modules; on the other hand, be-
cause all of the sensors and components
from SICK meet IO-Link specification 1.0,
thus ensuring full interoperability with de-
vices from other manufacturers.
>> Every year, Ford Otosan produces
40,000 engines and an equal number
of camshafts. What matters most in one
of the quality test stations is the highest
possible positioning accuracy of the cam-
shafts on the one hand, to align them
precisely for the next process step; on the
other hand, to check their surface and
polishing quality. OD Max displacement
sensors carry out both of these tasks si-
multaneously.
Detecting the highest point
and orientation
At the test station, the camshaft rotates
on its own axis at about 80 rpm. In the
first measuring step, the value deter-
mined initially is the shortest distance that
the surface of the camshaft reaches vis-
-vis the high-precision distance sensor,
explains Ilker Balgoglu from SICK Turkey.
This value is then saved in the evaluation
unit. In a second rotation run, the point
of reaching this value is then transmit-
ted to the machine control via a switching
signal. Using this procedure, it is possible
to determine and align the position of the
highest point with an accuracy of +/- 0.01
mm. Based on this positioning and with
Inspecting processing quality of camshafts
Precise to the dot
Ford Otosan in the Turkish town of Eskisehir trusts in OD Max
displacement sensors for the inspection of camshafts. Another
crucial point, though, is the presence and technical support of
SICKs sales company on location.
the help of the distance data, it is possible
to fix the camshaft for the next process
stage or, in case of insufficient surface
quality, to sort it out for reworking.
Besides the precision of the ODs,
presence on site was decisive
The displacement sensors from SICK re-
placed a mechanical system used in the
past. Apart from the high-precision, non-
contact measurement, the decision in fa-
vor of OD Max became easy for us due to
the fact that SICK provided such excellent
technical support on site, says Hseyin
Asa, the head of the Design Group at Ford
Otosan.
His statement proves one thing: Even
the best sensor only creates real cus-
tomer benefit and ultimately optimizes
the availability of equipment and plants
in conjunction with the appropriate proj-
ect support.
09
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.ford.com Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
: Applications Automotive Industry
: Applications
10
01 2009
Innovation Marathon Preview
Innovation

N
O
28
>> Todays industrial enterprises are mov-
ing in a global setting: Production sites are
shifted worldwide, machines and plants ex-
ported to different regions the world over.
Therefore, compliance with standards is
just as much a crucial factor behind the
success of globally operating manufactur-
ers as the technical safety design of their
machines and plants themselves. Produc-
tion facilities are becoming increasingly
more complex; cycle rates are rising; and
the functionalities of the machines are
becoming more and more challenging.
On the part of machine manufacturers
and operators, this results in demands for
more efficiency or, respectively, production
support as well as the easiest operability
possible.
Development of standards: Recipes
give way to home-made creations
What makes the task of coping with the
aspects of both standardization and those
of machine technology more difficult for
design engineers is the fact that both ar-
eas influence each other mutually. New
sensor solutions especially with respect
to electro-sensitive protective equipment
and new control designs permit new
concepts regarding machines and plants
that significantly enhance not only their
performance and availability but also
their operating ergonomics. Accordingly,
the standardization processes follow the
increasingly shortening product develop-
ment cycles. In this context, the trend is
toward system standards that offer solu-
tions less in the shape of recipes but
rather aim at agreement on specific pro-
tective goals. For the design engineer, this
means that concrete solutions are super-
seded by the challenge, but also the op-
portunity, of reacting flexibly to new tech-
nologies and trends. For safety experts
such as SICK, this entails serving the in-
creasing need for information in engineer-
ing departments in a cooperative, compe-
tent, and comprehensive way, e.g. in the
As of 29 December 2009, many things will change concerning
the technical safety assessment of machinery and plants, be-
cause the transitional period (DOW = date of withdrawal) for
the presumption of conformity pertaining to the EN 954-1 stan-
dard will expire. It will be replaced by EN ISO 13849-1, which is
characterized by quantitative approaches. By supplying a num-
ber of tools, SICK opens up for engineers who design machines
and plants those opportunities that EN ISO 13849 provides con-
cerning the technical safety assessment of machines.
context of EN ISO 13849-1 at the press
manufacturer Schuler in Gppingen.
Schuler: Updating standards
with the design engineers on site
In order to recognize early on the opportu-
nities offered by the new standards situa-
tion from 2010 onward and to put them
into practice constructively in the double
sense of the word , the Schuler Group
headquartered in Gppingen, one of the
worlds largest manufacturers of presses,
has decided in favor of a pragmatic path.
Together with the safety experts from
SICK, a compact training program was car-
ried out initially at the Groups individual
locations. Thus, based on specific press
applications and their technical safety ad-
justment to the contents of EN ISO 13849-
1, in the context of several workshops it
was possible to arrive jointly at a practically
oriented introduction to the complex topic
of Performance Level & Co. Together
with the experts from SICK, design engi-
neers from the different technical depart-
ments examined which influences arise
with respect to different safety functions
such as ram locking systems, gripper rail
protection, or speed monitoring in setting-
up mode. In terms of the time involved in
connection with the new standard, a differ-
entiated picture emerged: Whereas using
already pre-certified safety blocks, such
as light grids, in particular allows a simple
and thus time-saving verification of safety
functions, more complex problems require
a clearly structured approach in order to
reach the goal.
The upshot: EN ISO 13849-1 ranks
among the most important standardiza-
tion projects in the area of machine safety
in recent years by 1 January 2010 at the
latest, every manufacturer of machines
and safety components will be affected
by its consequences. Practically oriented
training courses and workshops that take
into consideration the new norm-ality will
provide design engineers with new impuls-
es to combine trends in machine and tech-
nical safety with one another flexibly, thus
becoming even more competitive interna-
tionally especially since European safety
standardization will continue to serve as a
model, being adopted by many countries
and regions worldwide.
Update for design engineers
Safety agenda 2010
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.schulergroup.com
: Applications
11
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.krones.de
>> Headquartered in Neutraubling near
Regensburg, the Krones Group plans,
develops, and manufactures machines
and complete plants for the areas of pro-
cess, bottling, and packaging technology,
as well as intralogistics. Whether the
products concerned are beer, soft drinks,
sparkling wine, or spirits every second
bottle in Germany and every fourth bottle
worldwide is filled, capped, labeled, and
packaged on facilities made by Krones,
Danuta Kessler-Zieroth, spokesperson of
the Krones Group, illustrates the market
position of the enterprise, emphasizing
this with current figures: At the five lo-
cations in Germany and the more than
50 subsidiaries abroad, Krones employs
a staff in excess of 10,000, generating
sales of 2.256 billion euros in 2007.
This success is made possible, among
other things, by the special knowledge in
machine construction and in customers
sectors, the technological lead, worldwide
service, and the cutting-edge production
facilities, e.g. at the Rosenheim plant.
This location serves primarily the manu-
facturing of packaging and intralogistical
facilities and modules, for instance, pack-
aging and palletizing robots, packing and
unpacking machines, carton processing
machines, as well as palletizing and de-
palletizing systems, explains Friedrich
Hingerl from the Department of R&D
Standardization at Krones in Rosenheim.
The task: optimizing costs,
maintaining compatibility
In order to optimize technology and costs,
we have analyzed, together with SICK, the
types of technical and economical possibil-
ities the portfolio of photoelectric switches
offers with respect to detection tasks that
we have to solve, for example, on beer case
depalletizers, says Klaus Scholz from Pur-
chasing at Krones AGs Rosenheim factory.
Taking as a starting point a sensor solution
tried and tested many times over, Krones
was interested in finding a sensor alterna-
tive at least equal in quality at lower costs,
which at the same time offered in terms
of design, installation, and service full
mechanical and electrical compatibility
with the previous model.
The solution: new technology
integrated in the existing series
Using these specifications, we devel-
oped a customer-specific special device
based on the W23-2 series, Dr. Thomas
Hfling, General Manager of SICK Ver-
triebs-GmbH in Dsseldorf, looks back.
By integrating the PinPoint technology
we managed, on the one hand, to meet
Krones technical requirements concern-
ing range, functional reserves, and vis-
ibility of the light spot. Since the series
concentrates at the same time on essen-
tial automation features, we were able
to achieve a pricing situation tenable for
both parties.
PinPoint: the technology
for more performance
PinPoint stands for a novel LED technol-
ogy in photoelectric switches and pho-
toelectric proximity switches from SICK.
PinPoint LEDs concentrate the energy
on a smaller space, increasing the light
intensity of the light spot, says Jrgen
Goller, sales representative of SICK Ver-
triebs-GmbH. For users such as Krones,
this approach simplifies, among other
things, alignment of a photoelectric
switch enormously. Friedrich Hingerl
confirms this: The PinPoint light spot
makes commissioning or readjustment
far easier. Moreover, we can use the
added range as a further functional re-
serve.
Capacity for fast reaction was decisive
With the WL23-2 SICK meets all of Kro-
nes performance requirements. Apart
from the sensor quality, one of the decid-
ing factors was that the entire project of
sensor conversion took only a few weeks.
SICK did its homework with a high de-
gree of flexibility and competence. Only
ten weeks passed from the first talks
to sampling and the capacity to deliver
a large number of pieces, Klaus Scholz
from Purchasing at the Rosenheim fac-
tory of Krones AG remembers.
However, another reason why Kro-
nes now uses the new WL23-2 PinPoint
in various areas throughout the entire
group is that apart from the technology,
quality, and price, SICKs delivers logis-
tics and worldwide service that are right
on the mark.
New photoelectric switch solution for Krones
Cost optimization through
technology orientation
A new technology for photoelectric switches called PinPoint
has enabled SICK to react quickly and cost-effectively to the
requirements of the Krones Group, a machine manufacturer.
Machine construction
Capacity for alignment of a photoelec-
tric switch was enhanced by integrating
PinPoint technology
: Applications
12
01 2009
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.holcim.de
www.erler-gmbh.de
>> The outdoor operation at the cement
factory makes high demands on the rug-
gedness of sensors. The Pomux path-
measuring systems used for positioning
the gantry as well as the crane trolley
meet these requirements just like the
LMS211 outdoor laser measurement
system that determines the level in the
pit measuring 25 m by 12 m. However,
the bulk material itself also represents
quite a challenge, says Alois Erler from
Erler GmbH system integrators, as vari-
Excavating in the right places
Gantry crane optimizes removal
of material autonomously
Where is the bulk cone the highest, where is it the lowest? Where
does bulk material need to be distributed in or retrieved from
the mine? The gantry crane at the bulk storage of Holcim (Sd-
deutschland) GmbHs cement factory in Dotternhausen knows
the answer to these questions thanks to two Pomux KH53 posi-
tion detection systems and one LMS211 outdoor laser scanner.
ous dark or reflective substitute fuels
do not exactly render detection easy be-
cause of their weak reflectance.
Feasibility tests convinced
both operator and integrator
Pomux KH35 is a very accurate but also
extremely robust linear path measuring
system. With measured lengths of up
to 1,700 mm, it is suited, among other
things, for use on cranes and rail vehi-
cles. The sensor element determines the
actual position by means of non-contact
scanning of reference marks mounted
along the drive path. These consist of
aluminum profiles with integrated per-
manent magnets, whose distance to
one another represents a fixed position
coding identified by the sensor units
magneto-resistive sensors. Because of
the non-contact technology, the system,
which is mechanically very robust, works
completely free of wear, says Alois Erl-
er. Additional praise goes to the Profibus
integration into the controller of the gan-
try crane, which allowed very convenient
start-up.
The same applies to the LMS211
outdoor laser measurement system. Us-
ing a fan-shaped laser beam, it scans
the surface of the bulk material, supply-
ing the gantry crane with the measured
values via serial interface. In order to
convince both the operator, Holcim Sd-
deutschland, and the integrator, Erler,
that the device always detects the sub-
stitute fuels reliably in the most diverse
weather conditions, appropriate tests
were carried out at SICKs application
lab in Reute successfully. Whether
in dry or wet state, in fog or snow the
LMS211 accurately detects all dimen-
sions of bulk surfaces, confirms Egon
Schlaich, the responsible project man-
ager at Holcim. The laser measurement
system allows us to work far more flex-
ibly. Moreover, the process of depositing
in and retrieving from the storage occurs
very evenly.
Since putting the automation solu-
tion into operation, Holcim Sddeutsch-
land has had absolutely no trouble at all.
Thats a good sign, says Alois Erler, as
it proves that the technology from SICK
works perfectly.
From left: Egon Schlaich, at Holcim (Sddeutschland) GmbH;
Peter Steurer, SICK Vertriebs-GmbH, and Alois Erler, of erler gmbh
Building material manufacturing
13
>> As a matter of fact, not long ago to be
precise, a so-called six-fold hand-oper-
ated workstation facility for manual salad
packaging was partly automated at this
location for the BEECK Feinkost Compa-
ny. The enterprise belongs to Deutsche
See GmbH, which, under the second-
ary name Fischmanufaktur processes
and ships to bulk buyers such products
as fresh and frozen fish, smoked fish,
matjes herring and marinades, as well
as seafood and deli salads. The BEECK
brand stands for fresh and high-quality
delicatessens therefore the company
attaches great importance not only to
delicate preparation and processing of
the products but also to environmentally
friendly packaging solutions that appeal
to customers visually. In this context,
sensors from SICK allow efficient and
smooth processes, e.g. with regard to
the capping station, online labeling, as
well as homogenous order picking, says
Michael Huhndt, electrical design engi-
neer and software developer at SES.
Cylinder sensors at the
manual workstations
At manual workstations, each of which is
equipped with a scale, the salad is por-
tioned into a dish. Once the net weight
of the package is reached, the employee
places the container onto a feed belt. It
conveys the package to a slideway. Here,
a VTF18 cylinder photoelectric switch de-
tects the presence of the container. The
photoelectric switch activates the slide-
way, which then pushes the container on
the linear indexing conveyor in such a way
that the type of salad, e.g. Exquisite Herring
Salad Red or Potato Salad Wild Garlic, fits
the respective compartment in the index-
ing chain with the appropriate electronic
coding, explains Frank Buhr from the Me-
chanical Design Department at SES.
A visit to SES-Straburg-Etikettier-Service GmbH in Buchholz /
Nordheide demonstrates how sensors from SICK ensure that
ready-made salads portioned in dishes are sealed with a lid and
labeled properly.
Content and presence inspections
at the capping device
At the moment when the filled salad dish
feeds into the capping device, a CVS1
Easy color vision sensor inspects the
contents. In fact, only properly filled
dishes may be capped with the original
lid. Because of its two-dimensional
scanning technique, the CVS1 was
the only solution capable of solving
this task appropriately from a techni-
cal and economical perspective, says
Michael Huhndt. On the inside of the
capping device, sensor solutions from
SICK dominate as well: MZT6 mag-
netic cylinder sensors detect the end
position of the automatic lid stacker,
VTF18 cylinder photoelectric switches
check the height of the lid stack in
the destacking magazine, automati-
cally signalizing to the controller when
reaching low stock. Laser photoelectric
switches from the WL9L-P series en-
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.ses-strassburg.de
Delicate solutions for delicatessen packaging
Packaging and labeling
ready-made salads reliably
Right: Frank Buhr, mechanical design
at SES; Matthias Voigt, SICK Vertriebs-
GmbH, and Michael Huhndt, electrical
design and software development
at SES (from left)
sure that in fact one lid is destacked
and applied to each dish.
Double online labeling
Once the lid is attached, the container
reaches the labeling machine located
in the exit area of the capping device.
Photoelectric switches from the WL150-
P series make sure that a sufficient
amount of labeling material is available
at all times: They signal when a new roll
of labels needs to be inserted. At the exit
area of the labeling machine, the salad
dishes are transferred to a cross indexing
conveyor, on which are installed CLV630
barcode scanners. The task they need
to solve is detecting the label and ensur-
ing that the online contents are imprint-
ed and legible, says Frank Buhr.
Automation menu: ingredients
from a single source
As varied as the tasks in SESs facility
are, it was quite practical that all of the
sensors could be obtained from a single
supplier. You really noticed that SICK
has plenty of experience with packaging
solutions for foodstuffs, Michael Huhndt
confirms in conclusion.
Food packaging : Applications
: Applications
14
01 2009
>> Rieter is a globally operating industri-
al group with headquarters in Winterthur,
Switzerland. Apart from the automotive
industry, their main area of activity is in
the textiles industry. Thus, Rieter Textiles
Systems develops and manufactures
machines and plants for the production
of yarns and non-woven fabrics. Within
this business segment, Rieter Ingolstadt
GmbH manufactures, among other items,
rotor spinning machines used to spin and
wind yarns made of cotton, viscose, syn-
thetic fiber, or blended materials onto
bobbins. The machines are used world-
wide. Clients expect trouble-free opera-
tion with over 8,500 operating hours per
year in sometimes warm and humid as
well as dusty conditions. In this context,
simple setting and maintenance are very
important. Sensors from SICK help solve
various detection tasks involved in the
fully automatic spinning processes.
Different requirements, different sensor solutions, but only one
partner: For the rotor spinning machines Rieter Ingolstadt GmbH,
photoelectric switches, photoelectric proximity switches, and in-
ductive sensors from SICK are just the right automation set.
Positioning with inductive sensors
On the robot of the rotor spinning ma-
chine, IQ10 inductive sensors are em-
ployed in a variety of places for position-
ing tasks. In contrast to the previous
model, the IQ10 offers a significantly
reduced physical size while providing the
same operating distance which for Riet-
er facilitates installation in the robot with
limited space available. An additional bo-
nus is the housing itself, which due to its
robust material can be fastened applying
increased torque. This prevents the type
of creeping loosening of screws that can
be caused by the machines vibrations.
Checking empty bobbins with photo-
electric proximity switch
The bobbins used to wind the yarn are
conveyed from the store to the individual
bobbin locations by means of a narrow
conveyor belt. During the transfer from
the store to the conveyor belt, the WT11
photoelectric proximity switch detects
whether a bobbin is lying on the belt be-
fore the next bobbin can be placed on the
conveyor by the robot.
Detection of pattern tape:
any color is recognized
In the robot, the WT18-3 photoelectric
proximity switch checks for the presence
of the sliver at the spinning point.
The sensor dependably identifies even
black sliver, which is difficult to detect.
Apart from detection reliability, in this
application the arguments in favor of the
WT18-3 were the minimal construction
depth as well as the clearly visible red
light, which considerably facilitates align-
ment of the sensor to the pattern tape.
Fine adjustment of the robot via
laser photoelectric switch
After the robot has checked for presence
of the sliver in passing by, it has to be
fine-tuned very precisely in front of the
spinning point for the following piecing
operation the piecing of the yarn end
and the transfer to the bobbin. For this
task, the WT9L-2 laser photoelectric
switch was selected. Dependably and
with great repeat accuracy, it positions
the robot in such a way that it can carry
out the piecing operation and begin piec-
ing the thread to the bobbin.
PinPoint sensors meet the
high demands for checking the
bobbin conveyor belt
The full bobbin is removed from the wind-
ing head by the robot and deposited on
the second, wider conveyor belt. Before
doing this, it is necessary to check from
a farther distance whether the space is
Automation from a single source
Perfect portfolio for
rotor spinning machines
Top: Checking bobbins with
photoelectric proximity switch
Left: Positioning with
inductive sensors
Textile industry
15
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.rieter.com
available or occupied by another bobbin.
For this demanding detection task, two
WTF27-3 photoelectric proximity switches
with high-performance PinPoint technolo-
gy and foreground suppression are used.
Since in the process, the background,
i.e. the conveyor belt, serves as refer-
ence, the photoelectric proximity switch
is capable of detecting any object on the
conveyor belt. This applies to glossy yarn,
which contingent on a flat angle of inci-
dence usually reflects the emitted light
away, just as it does to black yarn, which
due to its extremely low reflectance ca-
pability practically swallows the emit-
ted beam. In addition to range and detec-
tion reliability, the crucial feature in this
case, too, is that the very well visible red
light spots of the two WTF27-3s facilitate
alignment immensely.
Added benefits provide
Rieter with clear advantages
Where until now Rieter used devices
made by several different manufactur-
ers, today the company relies on more
efficient sensor technology from a single
source. This standardization reduces the
great variety of suppliers and simplifies
procurement, stockpiling, and service. In
addition to the comprehensive solution
competence that SICK is able to prove
in the area of the textile machine indus-
try, Rieter also benefits from being able
to handle enquiries, orders, and delivery
tracking via SICKs Partner Portal on the
Internet.
Top: (from left to right) Bernd Bahlmann,
Electro and Control; Jrgen Rothe,
Product Management; Helmut Haunschild,
Research & Development from Rieter
and Gnter Leuker, from SICK
>> The Italian Olitalia Company in Forli is
a leading producer of high-quality cook-
ing oils. The basic ingredients of refined
oil made, among other things, of sun-
flowers, olives and grape seeds derive
from nearly all countries of the Mediter-
ranean region. At Olitalia, these undergo
further processing into first-rate cooking
oils for private households and the ca-
tering trade. The different grades of oil
are shipped to 129 countries on all five
continents.
Data capture for production
and distribution
Following production, the cooking oils
are bottled and packaged on seven
lines. In the process, all of the packages
and pallets are provided automatically
with a barcode label, which in addition
to important details about the customer
also contains data regarding the pro-
duction batch and the best-before date;
these are necessary for the retraceability
of the products. The barcode scanners
of the CLV420/430 series inspect all of
the packages for presence of the label
and for readability, explains Gianmarco
Antonelli, IT service consultant at Olita-
lia. As soon as a carton or pallet cannot
be identified, the unit is extracted and re-
labeled to guarantee continuous retrace-
ability. In this way, we can ensure that
The application spectrum of barcode scanners from SICK used at the Italian
cooking oil producer Olitalia ranges from processing and bottling all the way
to shipping. The refined solution not only checks for presence and readabil-
ity of the labels but at the same time determines the manufacturing quanti-
ties of the different oil qualities as well.
only identifiable packages make it to the
forwarding department and from there
to the customer.
In addition to identification, at Olita-
lia the barcode scanners are also used
for recording the production quantity.
With the help of the match-code func-
tion of the scanners, we can collect
information about the packaged units
per grade and thus about the overall
quantity produced, says Gianmarco An-
tonelli, who offers words of praise for the
devices: The scanning reliability of the
scanners has enabled us to install a data
recording solution on every line featuring
utmost availability.
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.olitalia.it
Tracking and tracing in cooking oil production
Olitalia relies on refined
barcode solution
Food production : Applications
: Applications
16
01 2009
>> In fact, as opposed to the enjoyment
of tea as a beverage, tea production is
anything but relaxing. Depending on the
season and the brand of tea, the teabag
packaging machines at TEEKANNE
GmbH & Co. KG are working at cycle
rates of up to 400 teabags per minute,
says Horst Thoenesen, head of the Elec-
tric and Energy Department.
TEEKANNE makes the tea
SICK makes the detection around
the teabag happen
Numerous process steps are required
before the different brands of tea from
TEEKANNE with their variety of flavors
and feel-good aromas are processed
and ready-to-drink. In the teabag pack-
aging machines, the loose tea is pro-
cessed at maximum speed. The filter pa-
per, unwound from a roll, is first checked
by a WL9 photoelectric reflex switch for
any potential tear in the material and
then shaped into a tube by the machine.
Before filling, WLL12 photoelectric sen-
sors with fiber-optic cables complete an
inspection of the web edges so that after
the filling with tea, the material can be
sealed flawlessly by knurling. With the
help of the KT5 contrast scanner, the
filled filter paper web is then cut in teabag
lengths, the bottom and top shapes are
formed, and subsequently the tag string
is tied to the top part. A WT12-L laser
photoelectric proximity switch is used for
detecting the string. After this, each indi-
Just as individual as product assortment of Dsseldorf-based tea
producer TEEKANNE is, so is the range of sensors used for pro-
ducing teabags, tea cartons, and packages. However, while tea
is becoming increasingly popular as a beverage for breaks and
wellness, the photoelectric switches, camera systems, barcode
scanners, and other sensors from SICK in the machines do not
get any teatime at all.
vidual teabag receives a wrapping pouch
and e.g. in the case of black tea, rasp-
berry & chocolate is packaged in 20s
or other numbers of pieces.
Keeping track of packaging
variety reliably
Behind the carton erector, each pack-
age is checked directly after closing by
means of 2D Smart Cameras of the IVC-
2D series, so that during transport there
will not be any disruptions due to pack-
ages with defective edges, open tops, or
protruding teabags. Subsequently, the
packages are transported via a plastic-
chain conveyor system to final packag-
ing in a different workshop.
The sequence of products is not ho-
mogenous but completely chaotic: The
packages pass the conveying system as
a motley assortment. The whole thing is
disentangled on several sorting tables,
Norbert Strver, who heads the teabag
production, describes the process. In
order for all products to be transported
to the tray packaging machine as single
varieties, they are identified by means of
CLV420 barcode scanners and pushed to
a certain infeed track depending on the
tea variety. This occurs through pneumat-
ic cylinders, whose piston movements are
monitored by MZT1 magnetic cylinder
sensors. In the tray packaging machines,
WLL12 photoelectric sensors with fiber-
optic cables scan certain points of the
package, initiating an exact gluing job.
Palletizing according to
single tea variety
After further packaging of the flawless
packages in trays according to single
varieties, they finally reach the palletiz-
ing area via the plastic-chain conveyor
system. Here, four robots carry out their
tasks fully automatically. They are as-
sisted by CLV420 barcode scanners that
resolve the chaotic sequence of cartons
according to single varieties, guiding
them to the respective robot. After the
robot has closed the last tier of a pallet,
it is transported out of the fenced robot
area to a pick-up zone, whose occupancy
is detected and indicated by a DS60 dis-
tance sensor.
From teabag packaging to tray palletizing
TEEKANNE: No tea break for sensors from SICK
Inspection of the tea packages using a sensor from SICK
Food packaging
TEEKANNE and SICK the story
of an automation partnership
The internationally operating TEEKANNE
Gmbh & Co. KG is a market leader in
the tea sector, combining for over 125
years tea experience with a range of
continuously new flavor varieties. The
partnership in automation with SICK has
admittedly not been quite as long-stand-
ing, though lasting several decades al-
ready. What has developed in addition
to a series of innovative sensor solutions
is a profound understanding of the re-
quirements involved in tea production.
Immunity to dust, IP65 enclosure rat-
ing, versatile possibilities of adjustment,
teach functions, compact design, and a
wide range of space-saving fiber-optic
cables constitute features that go back
to our requirements as well, confirms
Horst Thoenesen. New product trends,
including new shapes of tea bags, the
further development of the dual-cham-
ber teabag, and new varieties of pack-
ages with innovative dispenser functions
but also progressing machine automa-
tion key word: filter roll replacement
will continue to generate new demands
on sensor solutions in the future.
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.teekanne.de
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.dbs-modularesysteme.de
>> In countless producing enterprises
active in any given industrial sector,
emissions are generated in the assembly
shops. There are clouds of smoke and
noxious smells, air pollutants, and harm-
ful substances accompanying production
are released. In an age of occupational
safety and environmental protection as
well as high demands on product quality,
innovative problem solutions in this area
are necessary.
An air envelope
Dr.-Ing. Jrgen Bayer from DBS Modulare
Systeme has developed an intelligent
system called kommula for solving
these problems. The company develops,
manufactures, and supplies modular
technology related to the process en-
vironment for manual and automated
manufacturing facilities in all sectors of
industry. By creating an air envelope
with well-directed ventilation flows calcu-
lated beforehand, the use of kommula
achieves protection of the process en-
vironment or protection of the process
itself. Adapted to the respective require-
ment and task, this approach allows de-
tecting and eliminating emissions direct-
ly at the source. The arrangement gives
The DBS Modulare Systeme Company has developed a solution to protect
processes and workspaces contaminated with emissions by means of an
envelope of air. This takes place with specially enclosed and, if required,
ventilated S3000s, which in this environment ensure safety around the ma-
chines and for operators twenty-four seven.
the encapsulated and ventilated S3000
safety laser scanner the necessary clear
view for area protection.
Safe monitoring, independent
of emissions
Since the S3000 is not designed for the
smoke pollution in a welding facility or
foundry, for oil mist in a machining cell, or
for any other environment contaminated
heavily with emissions, DBS has integrat-
ed it into a protective housing flushed
with air. By means of this solution featur-
ing an enclosure and air envelope, the
scanner has no contact with the emis-
sions that would otherwise settle on the
device, possibly impairing its functional-
ity. On top of that, the ventilation provides
an opportunity to cool the S3000 as well,
should conditions become too warm.
The same applies to all air-related
parameters such as dehumidification,
humidification, thermal radiation, as well
as any type of emissions and standard of
cleanliness.
17
: Applications Process environment protection
From teabag packaging to tray palletizing
TEEKANNE: No tea break for sensors from SICK
S3000 safety laser scanner maintains clear view of whats going on
Safety in the air envelope
Identification of products by the
CLV420 barcode scanner
Scanner protection
during machine operation
Scanning field
freed of emissions
Protected
scanning area
: Applications
18
01 2009
>> For 50 years, the sortimat Technol-
ogy company, whose principal factory
is located in Winnenden, has been de-
veloping and manufacturing systems
for automation technology. The product
portfolio includes assembly systems for
medical technology and the pharma-
ceutical industry as well as feeding and
handling solutions for machine construc-
tion and the automotive industry. Since
2006, sortimat has been expanding the
application radius of its automation so-
lutions with industrial handling systems.
At the Villingen-Schwenningen location,
the sortimats subsidiary, Handling Sys-
tems, produces pioneering systems used
to transport and singulate products for
non-pourable feed parts. This segment
includes, among other things, palletizing
and depalletizing systems for the phar-
maceutical sector, says Gabriel King,
general manager of sortimat Handling
Component detection in transparent transport packages
Detection reliability due to automatic
alignment of switching threshold
When a photoelectric switch such as the new WLG4S-3 from
SICK automatically compensates for contamination or tempera-
ture effects, permitting reliable alignment and adjustment within
seconds, it offers precisely what users like sortimat expect: fast
start-up and utmost availability even in difficult conditions.
Systems. One of their functions is to pick
small parts for pharmaceutical products
using gripper arms. Among other things,
the photoelectric switches must detect
highly transparent disposable transport
packages, for instance, of medicine dos-
ing devices or spray cans who have a wall
thickness of 600 m. For this reason, we
are making very high demands on the
photoelectric switch in term of detec-
tion. However, when it comes to instal-
lation and start-up, too, a sensor has to
prove its special operating efficiency.
WLG4S-3: a convincing sensor concept
As small as the WLG4S-3 might be in phys-
ical size, as high is its performance. This
already starts with installation: on the one
hand, based on the PinPoint technology, a
highly visible, precise light spot is achieved
that allows alignment toward the reflector
unrivalled in simplicity; on the other hand,
pressing the teach button on the device
for a mere two seconds suffices to put the
sensor into operation easily and reliably
even with respect to transparent ma-
terials. Precisely when it comes to trans-
parent packages, the WLG4S-3 offers us
the decisive added benefit concerning
availability because of its automatic ad-
justment of the switching threshold, says
Gabriel King. Sensors with potentiom-
eters, intended to solve such a demand-
ing task, often fail because in the end
the setting always remains uncertain to
some extent, which has the consequence
that temperature drifts or contamination
result in sensor failure. The WLG4S-3, by
comparison, literally never loses track of
what is going on. On top of that, the pho-
toelectric switches can be put very easily
into an insensitive operating mode with
fixed switching threshold. That is particu-
larly important when using black transport
packages, Gabriel King adds.
With their high detection reliability
and easy adjustability even regarding crit-
ical materials, the small WLG4S-3 offers
performance feature one searches to no
avail in many other large sensor alter-
natives. This also applies to availability
in harsh operating conditions. Since in
the pharmaceutical industry we are mov-
ing in a hygienic environment, the sen-
sors are often protected but thus also
inaccessible in a stainless steel hous-
ing or, respectively, mounted behind a
stainless steel plate, explains Gabriel
King. The sensors are configured prior
to the installation of the protective hous-
ing any subsequent correction of the
setting thus becomes impossible.
WLG4S-3 the series that guarantees
quick start-up and utmost availability
even in difficult conditions.
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.sortimat.com
The integrated WLG4S-3 photoelectric switches guarantee
a high degree of detection reliability
Industrial handling systems
The innovative MultiScan function of the Ranger E permits simultaneous
measurement and evaluation of several different object characteristics
19
: Applications Furniture industry
>> With up to 35,000 contour profiles
per second and over 1,500 3D coordi-
nates per profile, the camera system
from SICK sets the standard for 3D con-
tour measurement in an industrial envi-
ronment. Apart from the worlds fastest
measuring speed for 3D applications,
Ranger E also offers extremely high ac-
curacy for detecting minute details, and
a Gigabit Ethernet interface for fast data
transmission.
In addition, Ranger Es innovative
MultiScan function allows Swedwood to
measure and evaluate several different
object features such as, gray scale, sur-
face gloss, 3D, and laser scatter simulta-
Ranger E Camera helps IKEA
provide quality products
3D quality testing for
IKEA wardrobes
At the new production plant of the Swedish Swedwood
Company, every minute ten complete IKEA PAX wardrobes are
completed. Ranger E 3D cameras from SICK ensure uncom-
promising inspection of the coated panels for surface and
manufacturing flaws.
neously. The MultiScan feature provides
a cost savings when compared with the
alternative, to have a 3D camera and
several separate 2D camera systems.
Inline inspection for IKEA
The two inline inspection solutions in
Swedwoods furniture factory were cre-
ated by the Swedish system integrator
OptoNova each using the Ranger E 3D
measuring systems as central compo-
nents. At the first inspection station, the
Ranger E checks the surface quality of
the coated wooden panels. This involves
detecting scratches, cracks, or other
damage, which results in the piece be-
ing rejected before the first process step.
The second inspection station at the end
of the production run has far more com-
plex tasks to complete. Here the Ranger
E cameras check for a whole series of
features simultaneously, explains Carl-
Henrik Stenermark, responsible for im-
age processing at Swedwood. The bore-
holes are checked for correct position,
diameter, and depth. On the panel itself,
the cameras measure both squareness
and external dimensions. In the course
of the same process step, another sur-
face inspection takes place. Both mea-
surements occur simultaneously all at
a feed rate of nearly 1m/s.
Ranger E ideal for tasks in
3D contour measurement
The Ranger E cameras at Swedwood help
ensure reliable detection of even the mi-
nutest flaw. A visual, non-automated
inspection is not capable of yielding the
same test volume and the same test
quality, says Carl-Henrik Stenermark.
Moreover, only inspection using a cam-
era also offers the opportunity to docu-
ment the quality data automatically.
Many of the advantages of the Ranger E
solution that are relevant for Swedwood,
OptoNova, and IKEA can be applied to
other tasks as well. This includes, among
others
checking component parts in pick &
place processes, testing of soldering
paste or inspecting circuit boards in
the electronics industry;
robot guidance, detection of packages,
and automatic palletizing in robotics;
tire inspection;
surface inspection of tiles;
portioning meat, fish, vegetables, or
guaranteeing the quality of fruit or
baked goods in the food industry;
optimizing sawing processes or mea-
suring logs in the lumber industry.
With its unique features and benefits,
Ranger E offers many possibilities for
inline inspection solutions in the most
diverse areas.
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.swedwood.com
www.ikea.de, www.optonova.se
: Applications
20
01 2009
>> The Hamburg-based Conergy AG is
one of the major suppliers of regenera-
tive energy systems in Europe. Conergy
develops, produces, and markets com-
ponents necessary for the operation of
solar power plants. It plans, finances, in-
stalls, and operates solar power systems
in 15 countries on four continents mak-
ing it one of the worlds market leaders in
solar system integration. On top of that,
the enterprise plans, finances, and oper-
ates wind parks, bioenergy facilities, as
well as large-scale solar thermal power
plants. Since being founded in 1998, the
group has sold more than one gigawatt
worth of renewable energy. In Frank-
furt/Oder, Conergy built one of the most
up-to-date production facilities for solar
modules with a fully integrated mass
production from the wafer and the cell
to the module.
At Conergy AGs solar power systems factory in Frankfurt/Oder,
more than 40 ABB robots are able to produce photovoltaic mod-
ules capable of generating an annual output of 250 MW. On
board in this effort are IVC-2D camera systems and OD Max dis-
placement sensors.
IVC-2D takes on the visual guidance
of the soldering robots
On a total production space of 35,000 m,
every day high-performance modules are
rolling off five assembly lines. At full manu-
facturing capacity, the factory will produce
up to 250 MW worth of modules. More
than 40 industrial robots from ABB Auto-
mation GmbH are used in the fully auto-
mated production. After being transported
from cell production to the production
area for module manufacturing, the indi-
vidual solar cells are then fed to the five
autonomously operating production lines.
There, the solar cells are connected fully
automatically into a chain of cells (string)
by the by the so-called stringers. One of the
following process steps is the interconnec-
tion of individual strings into a matrix the
actual photovoltaic module. Per line, four
robots each of the IRB 1600 series take
on this task, which entails one important
thing above all: precision. Two of the four
robots are equipped with a special suc-
tion gripper, and they handle the solder-
ing blocks, insulation foils, and soldering
ribbons. The two other IRB 1600s operate
one soldering head each with integrated
IVC-2D Smart Camera. The cameras help
determine the orientation and position of
the cells and of the small soldering ribbons
on the top and bottom of the module. Only
the use of the IVC-2D enables the robots
to deposit the foils and soldering ribbons
accurately and to position the soldering
points very exactly. Apart from precision,
the features receiving praise from ABB
included the simple programming, high
immunity to ambient light, as well as the
fact that the IVC-2D does not require any
additional processor or computer support
for operation.
OD Max displacement sensor: posi-
tioning accurately to within few m
Every 100 seconds, one completely in-
terconnected module leaves the robot
cell via a conveying system. In the next
process step, a protective film made of
EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) as well as
a weatherproof composite plastic foil
are placed on the module. Afterwards,
four modules per line pass through two
laminators, where they are baked for
approx. 17 minutes into a solid, weather-
proof laminated unit. After this so-called
lamination, projecting remnants of foil
are removed. For this purpose, another
robot takes the encapsulated solar mod-
ule, puts it down, and measures, accu-
rately to a few m the edge positions
using an OD Max displacement sensor.
The resulting position data of the mod-
ule are utilized by the robot controller to
guide the cutting tools, ensuring exact
trimming of the projecting foil remnants
directly at the glass edge of the module.
Sensor technology from SICK: solution
competence for the solar energy sector
Position detection on robots is only one
example of the diverse possibilities that
SICKs portfolio for photovoltaic produc-
tion offers including solutions for iden-
tification of panels, checking for edge
fractures, or protection of machinery.
Sensor technology from SICK for
fully automatic final assembly of solar cells
Precision solutions
for position polling
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/applications
More about the customer:
www.conergy.de
www.abb.de/robotics
Renewable energy systems
21
ELG: the standard in
switching applications
If the objective is only reliable parts
detection, binary light grids provide the
user with the best possible automa-
tion benefit. This applies particularly to
the ELG automation light grid. Different
monitoring heights are available just the
same as different ranges from 0-2 m and
0-12 m, respectively. Moreover, there is
the short-range variant, the ELG1, which
is optimized for ranges up to 5 m.
HLG: high-resolution,
fast and energy efficient
The high-resolution HLG light grid lives
up to the requirements posed by de-
tecting flat objects. It offers a constant
resolution of 2 mm extending over the
entire detection area, a very low switch-
ing hysteresis, as well as todays fastest
response time among such systems of
only 2 ms. In operation, the HLG deliv-
ers convincing performance due to its
For object detection in two dimensions
Automating in the best
possible way with light grids
Detecting, measuring, inspecting, or counting objects in two
dimensions are typical tasks for automation light grids. Whether
this concerns letters, small parts, parcels, persons, or pallets
independent of the item to be detected and the requirements on
machine integration, only a complete portfolio of light grids solves
the wide range of possible applications.
energy efficiency. Using only 100 mA for
26 beams, it sets the standard in terms
of energy and operating costs.
SAS: capable of integration
even in narrow machines
One of the latest light grid solutions in
SICKs portfolio is the SAS Smart Area
Sensor a binary sensor for checking
presence, compartment occupancy, and
projections. The special feature of SAS is
that the light grid is available both as a
flat and slim variant.
PLG and SPL: correct picking
without exceptions
The Pick-to-Light light grids provide all of
the functions necessary to avoid errors
during manual parts picking from a rack.
Starting out with the access openings,
one can set the height of the light grid
and thus the size of the monitoring field
in keeping with the respective application.
The essential differences of the SPL and
the PLG concern the housing, the sensor
design, and operator guidance. The SPL
is available in miniaturized slim and flat
housing designs. Job LEDs provided for
each light beam detect not only mistaken
and missed picks into a given rack com-
partment but also indicate if, by mistake,
access occurs to another compartment
that does not belong to the job.
SGS: Detecting persons
at the automatic door
The SGS Smart-Gate Sensor from SICK is
a light grid that offers, in addition to safe-
ty for automatic doors, flexibility, easy
installation, availability, and protection
from vandalism. For instance, it is pos-
sible to implement scalable construction
sizes that permit, in any installation situ-
ation, the monitoring of entrance and ex-
it areas that is nearly free of dead spots.
MLG: measuring in terms of function,
modular in terms of construction
For applications requiring an integrated
measuring function, the MLG light grid pro-
vides a variety of possibilities for individual
device design. To many users, the feature
that is just as important as the measuring
function is the high degree of modularity of
the MLG. Thus, when ordering the device,
one can choose from different resolutions,
monitoring heights, ranges, and installa-
tion solutions. Once essential secondary
conditions of an application have been
defined, the MLG can be delivered with pa-
rameters already preset by SICK.
: Technology
21
Innovation Marathon Stage 1
Innovation

N
O
01
www.sick.com/innovation_marathon
22
01 2009
: Interview Delivery competence
Anyone using a sensor, system, or control solution from SICK al-
ways benefits from a maximum degree of technology and applica-
tion competence. What constitutes an increasingly more important
decision criterion for clients as well is the confidence in prompt de-
livery. Nikolaus Becherer, Head of the Central Unit Order Process-
ing at SICK, explains how in the context of nearly 860,000 order
items annually, one succeeds in achieving delivery reliability of 95%
and more a quantity measurable and confirmed by customers.
SICKinsight: SICKs product range in
factory, logistics, and process automa-
tion includes more than 10,000 items
produced in a decentralized way and
stored largely in Waldkirch. From this
assortment, in 2008 SICK delivered
more than 315,000 orders with nearly
860,000 items almost all of them on
time and complete. How does one man-
age to fulfill clients expectations con-
cerning punctual delivery to such a high
degree?
Nikolaus Becherer, Head of the Central
Unit Order Processing at SICK
Delivery reliability: the measurable added benefit, more important all the time
Delivery competence complements technological competence
Nikolaus Becherer: First, this has to
do with our fundamental orientation.
Delivery reliability and delivery capacity
are crucial added product benefits that
are extremely important to customers,
especially in the business related to
standard components and spare parts.
In order to meet clients expectations
reliably, the Central Unit Order Process-
ing coordinates the demands made on
the product segments, materials man-
agement, manufacturing processes,
logistics, and sales. For instance, it is
responsible for a regular revision of
the list of inventory items but also for
how to handle short-term large orders
or special device variants efficiently in
terms of order logistics. Particularly in
the current recessionary phase, this is a
challenging task.
SICKinsight: Does this mean that the
adaptation to the current market and
business behavior entails special tasks
towards the maintenance of delivery
competence?
Nikolaus Becherer: Precisely. Currently,
we are operating between the poles of
inventory optimization, delivery capac-
ity, and flexibility. By means of weekly
planning coordination, we are adapting
inventory levels to the incoming orders
23
: Interview
generally expected. At the same time,
however, we must be capable of filling
orders at very short notice, e.g. when a
machine manufacturer in turn receives
an order to be filled at short notice.
Moreover, especially these days, many
customers are searching for new prod-
uct and technology alternatives, which
they also expect to deliver fast and suf-
ficient availability. After all, large-scale
orders result in major fluctuations of
workload at different points. We from
the CU Order Processing are engaged
in permanent dialogue with all of the
people whose cooperation is required
for maintaining our delivery reliability
and delivery capacity.
SICKinsight: How do you know wheth-
er your activities are successful? Is
delivery reliability measurable; is it
possible to recognize deviations and
analyze reasons? What are the relevant
indicators?
Nikolaus Becherer: For this purpose,
SICK AG has built up special online re-
porting that maps transparently the en-
tire order processing in principle, from
our suppliers all the way to our clients
incoming orders department. In this con-
nection, we have defined two important
performance figures: delivery reliabil-
ity as delivery on the first deadline con-
firmed to the customer and the delivery
capacity i.e. delivery on the first dead-
line desired by the customer. Both quan-
tities are measured regularly and on the
level of the ordered items as well as eval-
uated in detail. In February of 2009, for
instance, we achieved a delivery reliabil-
ity of 94 %: 92.7 % of orders were deliv-
ered on the specified day, 2.1 % early. Of
the orders delayed, 59 % that is, 3.2 %
of total orders were delivered with a
maximum of two days delay. It was pos-
sible to identify individual reasons for all
of the delayed items, which can be rath-
er varied, e.g. delayed goods received,
manufacturing delay, missing order item
for complete delivery or delay in advance
payment by the customer in case of ces-
sation of deliveries. Through this report-
ing we are able to recognize weak points
and to remedy them in those respects
we can influence, optimizing processes
materials management, production, or
logistics permanently.
SICKinsight: Do the customers know to
what great extent they can trust in SICKs
delivery reliability?
Nikolaus Becherer: That is something
we can assume. On the one hand, after
all, our delivery reliability is one of the
decisive selling points, especially in the
component and spare parts business.
On the other hand, the clients them-
selves are obviously interested in improv-
ing their own course of business, which
naturally entails the evaluation of SICK
as a supplier. With the help of the ap-
propriate reporting systems, they record
a number of performance figures con-
cerning delivery reliability, quality, coop-
eration, or their cost prices. Many of our
customers provide us with the results of
their reporting automatically, data that
we will then compare with the measured
values of our reporting tool. In this way,
the clients know just how good we are;
at the same time, this ensures that with
our key indicators we are measuring and
analyzing the deciding quantities that
are important to our clients. Thus, the
feedback from the market confirms the
effectiveness of our efforts toward deliv-
ery competence.
SICKinsight: Well, in that case you are
fully prepared for tackling the 100-per-
cent mark. All the best in this effort and
many thanks for the interview!
Delivery reliability: the measurable added benefit, more important all the time
Delivery competence complements technological competence
The special online reporting allows transparent mapping of the entire
order processing as well as measuring and evaluating the criteria of
delivery reliability and delivery capacity
24
01 2009
: Products Innovation Marathon Stage 1
Flexibility with safety laser scanners
Safety expert manages monitoring variety
>> The S300 Expert is an electro-sensi-
tive protective device, approved as such
in compliance with Type3 according to IEC
61496-3, performance level d according
to EN/ISO 13849 as well as SILCL2 ac-
cording to EN 62061. The device was
designed with a scanning angle of 270
for mobile and stationary monitoring of
smaller hazardous areas with a maxi-
mum protective field radius of 2 m and
warning zones with a depth of up to 8 m.
Measuring only 105 x 102 x 152 mm, the
S300 Expert is the worlds most compact
and cost-effective safety solution based
on laser scanner technology, which on
top of that can manage up to eight differ-
ent monitoring scenarios directly in the
sensor and without limitation.
Now offering the possibility of implementing up to eight different
monitoring scenarios directly in the sensor, the worlds smallest
safety laser scanner, the S300 Expert, takes mobile transport systems, moving
workbenches, or autonomous service robots for industrial use to name but a
few not only along a safe path but also on the right economical track.
For mobile use, this means that the
monitoring functions for individual sec-
tions of the path can be designed in an
even more differentiated way. This ap-
proach allows reducing downtimes and
optimizing travel times. If both directions
of travel need to be protected, one can
also combine two S300 Experts to form
one system using the integrated EFI (the
safe device communications interface).
Inserting or handling stations, ro-
tary or lift tables, pick-up or transfer
points, are examples of stationary ap-
plication scenarios in which the S300
Expert protects personnel from acci-
dent risks when handling automatic or
semi-automatic machines. Since the
S300 features the contour as refer-
ence function, the safety laser scanner
is also approved here for use as vertical
protection.
OS2000 the worlds first outdoor safety scanner system with TV certificate
For machine safety in outdoor areas
With the OS2000, SICK presents
the worlds first safety laser scanner
system approved for outdoor use. It
combines the hardware and software
of well-tried LMS laser measurement
systems, specifically designed for
outdoor applications, with the safety
level of the certified UE4470 safety
controller.
rain, humidity (fog),
or intense light in-
cidence due to low sun. The protective
fields can be parameterized and evalu-
ated in any desired way within the safety-
oriented range of up to 20 m.
Safety spanning the
entire active chain
The UE4470 programmable logic con-
troller from SICK endows the laser scan-
ners and, respectively, the all-inclusive
OS2000 solution with the required safe-
ty level. It takes on the task of controlling
the cyclical testing of the sensors, thus
ensuring continuous monitoring of the
active chain, i.e. sensor output signals
controller.
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
Innovation N
O
03
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
>> Typical application examples of the
system solution certified by TV Rhein-
land, which complies with the require-
ments of performance level d ac-
cording to ISO 13849-1 as well as SIL2
according to IEC 62061, are access pro-
tection for doors and gates, crane facili-
ties, manned and unmanned vehicles,
shipping facilities such as bascule bridg-
es or sluice gates, rail tracks or conveyor
systems.
Outdoor sensor technology
for any weather conditions
The OS2000 can be used in any place
where hazardous outdoor areas need to
be monitored. Depending on the task,
laser scanners with IP 67 featuring
scanning angles of 100 or 180 are
available that can be used in ambient
temperatures ranging from 30 C to
+50 C. In terms of sensor performance,
they will not be impaired by either snow,
Innovation N
O
06
www.sick.com/innovation_marathon
www.sick.com/innovation_marathon
25
: Products Innovation Marathon Stage 1
Innovation N
O
07
>> The inductive sensors of the IME se-
ries contain high tech within extremely
small space. With its exceedingly com-
pact platform technology, the integrated
ASIC chip (Integrated Electronic Switch)
offers significantly enhanced manufac-
turing tolerance spanning the entire
range of devices. After the manufactur-
ing process, the sensors from SICK are
not adjusted manually per potentiometer
or laser trim but rather digitally. Storage
of the values in the ASIC guarantees a
very accurate switching point as well as
very high reproducibility and it does so
with respect to all production batches.
This facilitates not only the construction
design of machines and the start-up of
the sensors but also allows the fastest
possible replacement of devices.
Tough exterior, soft core
Inside the housing of the IME sensors,
the hotmelt used as casting compound
ensures very high shock and vibration
resistance. The robust cylinder housing
with a torque of up to 100 Nm delivers
another feature guaranteeing maximum
availability and long service life of the
sensor.
Suitable solution for any application
In recent years, SICK AG in Waldkirch
has built up a broad portfolio of proxim-
ity sensors. No matter if the requirement
is cylinder or rectangular standard sen-
sors with single, double, or triple switch-
ing distances or special sensors for EX
areas, rugged environments, or for the
food and beverage industries SICK
always offers the solution suiting your
needs.
Precision, maximum availability, long life cycle, diverse construction designs,
utmost switching accuracy, and global availability all of that is combined in
the IME series from SICK. With these sensors, there is nothing stopping auto-
mation from a single source anymore.
With the Safe Machines Guide, SICK offers, as one of the first suppliers of
solutions and services related to safe machines, safety expertise from one prac-
titioner to another in a 120-page publication. The backdrop is the updated Ma-
chine Directive 2006/42/EG as well as safety standards EN ISO 13849-1 and
EN 62061 taking effect on 29 Dec. 2009.
>> The Safe Machines Guide first de-
scribes the legal and normative principles
for machines in Europe taking effect as of
29 December 2009. There are six steps,
divided into risk assessment safe de-
signing technical protective measures
user information concerning residual
risks overall validation of the machine
selling the machine. The items explained
with the help of examples include, among
others, the application of the new safety
standard and spacing calculations, e.g.
the determination of the Performance Lev-
els (PL) or the Safety Integrity Level (SIL).
Additionally, based on typical applications,
the publication shows in practical terms
the most diverse variants of protective
devices and safety technologies spanning
the entire safety chain, from the sensor to
the actuator.
Comprehensive support
beyond the normality
As an expert for safety technology, SICK
offers numerous services concerning
the topic of safety. This includes, among
other things, customer workshops, con-
sultation and engineering services, plant
walk-throughs with a safety specialist, and
SICKs product library for SiSteMa (the
software assistant for safety of control-
lers on machines, available free of charge
from the Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health [Berufsgenossenschaftliches
Institut fr Arbeitsschutz BGIA]). On top
of that, SICK backs information events
presenting the status of standards current
at any given stage, which are organized by
professional societies and trade associa-
tions. These events are aimed at develop-
ment engineers, design engineers, plan-
ners, and those in charge of safety.
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
Innovation through new platform technology
Automating inductively =
automating intelligently
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
Standards update for safe machines and plants
SICK implements 2010 safety agenda
Innovation N
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www.sick.com/innovation_marathon
www.sick.com/innovation_marathon
01 2009
: Products Innovation Marathon Stage 1
Solve more applications with the Inspector I20
Flexibility in focus
tor I20 very convenient for both end users
and system integrators who want to solve a
large number of different applications us-
ing only one kind of device.
Flexible output
Logical output options are available in the
Inspector I20. With simple and/or logic,
multiple inspections can be combined to
give the end user more detailed feedback.
These inspection results can be used for
sorting based on defects or for detailed
control of other process steps in the pro-
duction chain, for example.
Flexible I/O functionality
Extended I/O support is available via an
external I/O box. With the I/O box, it will be
possible to extend the number of outputs
from 3 to 16. All of the outputs can be user
defined with logical operations or be used
for single inspection results. Moreover, the
I/O box enables more inputs as well. Input
selection up to 16 taught reference objects
is now possible without compromising oth-
er input functions like trigger, encoder and
teach control.
More functionality through flexibility: the
new Inspector I20 is more versatile than
nearly any other 2D vision sensor.
>> The Inspector series consists of com-
pact, easy-to-use, and reliable 2D vision
sensors with integrated lighting, image eval-
uation and Ethernet interface. The devices
were designed to solve a diverse range
of applications and they are capable of
checking parts in any orientation and posi-
tion at a predictable response time. The vi-
sion senors robust design is suited for diffi-
cult applications and its intelligent and fast
evaluation algorithms enable Inspector to
keep up with high process speeds.
Flexible field of view
Inspector I20 allows easy replacement of
the optical lenses
for different dis-
tances and fields
of view while main-
taining a high enclo-
sure rating (IP 67).
This, together with
integrated lighting,
makes the Inspec-
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
Innovation N
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>> Based on image-
processing technol-
ogy, the V300 WS is
an electro-sensitive
protective device
for operating areas
on assembly, han-
dling, and industrial robots or
testing equipment. The lighting
unit and receiver of the sensor
are integrated in a single hous-
ing the same applies to the
additional functions of reset
and EDM (external device moni-
toring). The compact triangular construc-
tion design allows installing the device in
or on the corner of the slotted bar frame
of a work station, i.e. in a place where
the sensor is largely protected from
shocks or misalignment.
Opens up possibilities
for barrier-free monitoring
Beyond that, the V300 WS now makes
it possible to secure work stations in
particularly ergonomic and process-
compatible ways. Even as a single sen-
sor, the V300 WS generates a diagonal
protective field with a maximum range of
1.41 m for protecting apertures measur-
ing up to 1 m by 1 m. With respect to
large intervention openings, there is the
possibility of linking two devices via the
synchronization input, thus doubling the
size of the protective field. Monitoring
action is also possible diagonally across
without the center brace.
Cost-effective: Safety
in the appropriate category
The V300 WS is the optimum solution for
Types 3 or, respectively, PL d and SIL2
according to IEC 61508 that are not cov-
ered by safety light curtains. This means
that the user has the opportunity of uti-
lizing a more affordable Type-3 system
for applications not requiring a Type-4
safety level according the risk assess-
ment.
The new V300 WS safety camera system is space-saving, quick, and
suited for hand protection. It is the first device of its kind for protect-
ing hazardous zones according to Type 3 in compliance with EN
61496-1 (SIL2 according to IEC 61508).
Suited for work stations and Type 3
Safety out of the corner
Innovation N
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Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
Let us introduce the newest member of the Inspector family: I20! With its
exchangeable lens concept, new output logic solution and expandable I/O,
the Inspector I20 can solve a wider range of applications.
26
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: Products Innovation Marathon Stage 1
27
Perfect collision protection in any weather
Collision prevention at the port:
no crash thanks to LMS
For crash-free container handling at ports, there is
now a particularly compact and space-saving solution: the LMS111
laser measurement system. Even in poor weather conditions, the
device achieves good results thanks to double-pulse technology
and electronic filters countering fog, rain, snow, and leaves.
against strong light incidence, e.g. by
spotlights or low sun, the new LMS111
laser measurement system offers a max-
imum amount of detection reliability. In
poor weather conditions, software mod-
ules ensure that even in rain, snowfall,
or fog, a reliable monitoring function is
guaranteed. Added is the fact that the
LMS is not only prepared for external
influences by an IP 67 enclosure rating,
but that it also features a saltwater-resis-
tant special housing for extreme cases
and may also be operated behind a glass
screen.
Precise and flexible in monitoring
The scanner of the measurement sys-
tem, actively scanning at a 270 angle,
achieves utmost accuracy due to scan-
ning frequencies up to 50 Hz and
a maximum angle resolution of
0.25. Double-pulse evaluation
of the measured reflectance in
conjunction with integrated dis-
tance measurement renders field
monitoring extremely stable, per-
mitting very precise localization
of existing obstacles. Within the
space covered by the scanner, it
is possible depending on the
size and geometry of the travel
paths and areas to be monitored
to parameterize up to ten sepa-
rate monitoring fields, retrieving
them conditional on the situa-
tion. Actuating the device via the
encoder input also allows speed-
dependent, dynamic switching of the
protective fields.
More possibilities for collision protec-
tion in the maritime environment the
LMS111 has them onboard, as standard
features!
>> Even when faced with adverse con-
ditions and dark object surfaces, the
LMS111 achieves a range of 18 m ide-
al for collision prevention on crane instal-
lations, derrick booms, straddle carriers,
and automatic container transporters.
Laser measurement,
reliable in any conditions
Independence from influences of ambi-
ent light and adverse environmental con-
ditions distinguishes the LMS111. In any
light conditions and effectively shielded
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
Innovation N
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01 2009
The new W4S-3 Inox from SICK is the extension of the W4 series for
the food & beverage sectors. The device technology in the stainless
steel housing is designed consistently toward the harshest hygiene,
cleaning, and disinfecting cycles that far exceed the demands on
IP69k. The user benefits from best-in-class performance data
documented in various tests.
>> The W4 series has established itself in
the market, impressing in terms of sensor
technology by peerless resistance to am-
bient light and reliable detection of reflec-
tive, transparent, and deep black objects.
The W4S-3 Inox is a unique combination
worldwide of superb photoelectric switch
technology tested and proven and
housing technology oriented without
compromises on the requirements of the
packaging food and beverage industry,
the pharmaceutical sector, or the semi-
conductor solar energy industry. Whether
the issue is aggressive cleaning and dis-
infecting agents, e.g. in bottling lines, the
treatment of pharmaceutical sterile boxes
with hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, or caustic
spray mist and vapors, as they occur in
wet-chemical processes during the pro-
duction of solar cells anywhere, the new
W4S-3 Inox guarantees reliable operation
for many years of use.
Forget about IP69k the new refer-
ence for ruggedness is W4S-3 Inox!
The housing technology of the W4S-3 Inox
sets the new standard with respect to ma-
terials used and construction design. An-
other noteworthy highlight is the new op-
erating concept. The sensor is configured
via a stainless steel membrane mounted
flush into the cover without gaps and
W4S-3 Inox family of photoelectric switches
for extreme requirements
Exceeds IP69k!
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
projecting plastic parts. The housing is
made of extremely resistant 14435 / AISI
316L stainless steel and approved for
contact with food. The display LEDs are
also mounted flush the same as the
SIOx-coated front screen. The M3 fixing
holes can be sealed without gaps. The
completely smooth surface of the W4S-3
Inox achieved in this way is easy to clean
as it lacks any corners and edges, thus
preventing the development of dirt of bac-
teria hotbeds. Due to its design structure
and the choice of materials, the W4S-3 can
be used long term in any known cleaning
and environmental conditions: It exceeds
by far IP69k as well as the standards set
by all test methods common today.
W4S-3: Only a device that is best in class
can meet the ultimate demands placed on
automation technology.
Product of the Month
March
www.sick.com/innovation_marathon
29
: Products Innovation Marathon Preview
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
SICK presents a new range of
products for pressure measure-
ment technology. High accu-
racy and robust design are the
common features of all the
devices.
>> In order to solve the demands made
by industrial clients on the sensor tech-
nology of their machine or plant in a
customer-oriented way and from a single
source, SICK is expanding the product
range by a series of high-performance
pressure transmitters for measuring
pressures in liquids and gases.
Pressure measurement technology
from SICK is used in machine and plant
construction, in machine tools, in hy-
draulic and pneumatic systems, for pres-
sure control, as well as on pumps and
compressors. Whether in the automotive
industry, in vehicle manufacturing, in the
electronics industry or in the packaging
industry, the product portfolio with the
innovative PBS pressure switch as well
as the PBT and PFT series of pressure
transmitters is very well suited not only
to cover the most diverse requirements
but also to provide the client with the
best possible, cost-effective solutions.
Particularly compact and flexible:
the PBS pressure switch
The PBS is an efficient and space-saving
pressure gauge. The sensor is available
with relative pressure measurement
ranges from 0 to 1 bar and from 0 to 600
bar, though it is also suitable for abso-
lute and vacuum measuring ranges. The
PBS combines several functionalities in
one device: pressure transmitter, pres-
sure switch and indicating device. Thus,
besides the up to two switching outputs,
an analog output 4 to 20 mA or 0 to 10
V is available as an optional feature.
The intuitive configuration by means of
two buttons and a display on the de-
vice is oriented on VDMAs (Verband
Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau
German Engineering Federation) Stan-
dard 24574-1 and makes operation
particularly simple: The menu is easy to
understand, incorrect inputs are practi-
cally impossible and set-up takes only a
few moments.
A special degree of flexibility distin-
guishes the PBS in terms of the installa-
tion situation. Thus, the PBS is available
with the common process connections
and therefore requires no adapters. The
electrical connection of the PBS takes
place via M12x1 circular plug-in connec-
tors. The highlight: the display and the
Solutions for a variety of applications
Pressure measurement
for factory automation
electric output can be twisted both in
relation to the process connection and
against each other, allowing an undis-
turbed view of the display and optimum
cable routing.
The attractive price-performance
ratio in conjunction with the minimized
set-up times provides the user with a sig-
nificant cost benefit.
PBT and PFT: the pressure
transmitters for universal and
special measurement tasks
Just like the pressure switch, the pres-
sure transmitters from SICK also offer
relative, absolute, and vacuum measure-
ment ranges. As a standard transmitter
for measuring liquid and gas pressures,
the PBT basic series delivers superb
price-performance ratio, covering the
majority of applications in factory auto-
mation. The available measuring ranges
for relative pressure are 0 to 2 bar up to
0 to 600 bar. Simple and fast installa-
tion, availability of all common process
connections, and the compact construc-
tion design complete the picture of these
uncomplicated and yet highly efficient
devices.
Special application fields are covered
by the PFT series. Here, the available
measuring ranges for relative pressure
are 0 to 0.1 bar up to 0 to 600 bar. Ad-
ditional optional features available, such
as higher measuring accuracy, extended
temperature range, diaphragm face
flush with the front, or the great variety
of available process connections make
the PFT a real specialist for demanding
measuring tasks.
The characteristics that are the same
for both pressure transmitters are the in-
dustrial standard output signals of 4 to
20 mA or 0 to 10 V as well as connection
via M12x1 circular plug-in connectors or
angled plug according to DIN 175301-
803 A.
The newly presented portfolio of
pressure measurement technology from
SICK is another step toward becoming
a supplier of comprehensive solutions.
The benefits for the customer are obvi-
ous: Ultimately, only innovative and high-
quality products, optimum consultation,
and custom-made product offers result
in more efficient and cost-effective solu-
tions.
Innovation N
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30
01 2009
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With the miniTwin from SICK, a new era in light curtain technology is
about to begin. For the first time, the sender and receiver elements
are accommodated in one miniature housing stick. Another new
feature is that the standalone and host/guest versions are identi-
cal. Thanks to very small resolution, blind zone-free monitoring with
minimized safety distances is possible even with respect to corner-
mounting cascaded systems. All of these benefits are available on
the highest safety level, as the miniTwin meets Type 4/PL e/SIL3.
>> Optimum integration and ultimate
flexibility through miniaturization. The
miniTwin safety light curtain is cur-
rently the smallest system of its kind.
The most conspicuous feature on the
outside is the significantly slimmer con-
struction as compared to other light
curtains. The symmetrically structured
device connection, suited for industrial
use, is screwed to the back of the mini-
Twin, with connection to the control unit
realized via the 5-pin M12 plug. The
concept has two crucial advantages:
Depending on installation conditions,
the cable outlet can be run either up-
ward or downward, with the protective
field reaching all the way to the end of
the housing. This applies to any of the
possible resolutions of 14 mm, 24 mm,
and 34 mm. In applications diagonally
across, the miniTwin maintains the
required safety distance even at the
critical corner positions. The small
Minivation sets new standards in safety light curtains
miniTwin the trick with the uniform safety stick
>> With SICKs single-housing concept on the way to the top
As an innovation leader, SICK not only banks on novel light curtain concepts
like miniTwin when it comes to safety technology, but also on safety camera
technology such as featured in the V300. Both solutions are designed for pro-
tecting partly automated workspaces and areas on fully automated manufac-
turing, handling, and assembly machines. Both solutions aim at reducing the
diversity of variants miniTwin through the concept of the sender/receiver in a
single stick, the V300 safety camera through its flexibility regarding protective
areas of different sizes. For smaller apertures and applications in Type 3 and,
respectively performance level (PL) d or SIL2, the V300 is the ideal solution.
The miniTwin is very suited for protecting higher and wider openings and with
respect to requirements in accordance with Type 4 and, respectively, Perfor-
mance Level PL e according to EN ISO 13849-1, or alternatively, SIL3 accord-
ing to IEC 61508.
miniTwin and V300 from SICK: a strong team for protecting hazardous spots
that faces up to any task.
resolution and fast response times of
the miniTwin even when setting up a
maximum of three cascaded systems
permit short safety distances for op-
timized work ergonomics if required.
The protective field heights feasible
with the miniTwin range between 120
mm and 1,200 mm they can be indi-
vidually graduated by increments of 60
mm. The range is 0 4 m.
World novelty: the uniform-stick
concept of the miniTwin
Though not noticeable from the outside,
the sensor-related design of the mini-
Twin is completely novel. One looks in
vain for a separate sender and receiver
on the new light curtain from SICK,
both sender/receiver elements are ac-
commodated in the identical Twin stick
symmetrically distributed to one half
of the housing each, and separated
by the synchronization beam in the
middle. The safety light grid is created
by mounting two identical Twin sticks
tilted at 180 to each other, causing
the sender/receiver modules to be lo-
cated opposite one another. The unifor-
mity of the miniTwin, however, does not
just refer to the sender/receiver design
but also to the cascading of several de-
vices. Which miniTwin serves as host
and which as guest is defined by the re-
spective variant of connector plug with
one or two outgoing cables.
Product of the Month
May
31
: Products Innovation Marathon Preview
Plug & play due to intelligent
mounting solutions and
automatic configuration
No other safety light curtain achieves
the plug & play level of the miniTwin.
To begin with, this is made possible by
intelligent mounting solutions. Applica-
tion-oriented L-Fix and O-Fix brackets for
face mounting as well as C-Fix brackets
to snap in the housing profile permit
fast attachment of miniTwin to the ma-
chine. Electrical wiring is realized via a
standard connection cable and a 5-pin
M12 system connector, offering full
functionality of external device monitor-
ing (EDM) and the restart interlock (re-
set). Their optional configuration takes
place after the electrical connecting
during the power-up cycle automati-
cally with respect to EDM and with re-
spect to reset by pressing the button of
the restart interlock button only once.
Moreover, the simple mechanical and
electrical integration of the miniTwin,
the automatic hardware configuration,
as well as the manifold alignment, sta-
tus, and diagnostic indicators via LED
line permit intuitive handling with the
advantages of faster start-up and in-
creased availability.
Minivation sets new standards in safety light curtains
miniTwin the trick with the uniform safety stick
Further product information:
www.sick-minitwin.com
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
The new AFS60 absolute encoder singleturn has now been sup-
plemented by two mechanical variants. Both models are now
available in blind-hollow-shaft and through-hollow-shaft design.
Another highlight is the construction depth of less than 50 mm.
>> As a result, the AFS60, which features
18-bit resolution and thus ranks as one
of the best devices in its market segment,
is suited for particularly harsh operating
conditions, where only a limited amount
of space is available for installation, as is
increasingly the case, for example, in the
handling and robotics sector.
More robust due to code disk made of
nickel and optimized shaft bearing
The AFS60 production series distin-
guishes itself by ruggedness that is ex-
traordinary for an optical system. The
component responsible for this is, on the
one hand, the code disk made of nickel.
Compared to code disks made of glass,
it is considerably more robust while offer-
ing the same resolution; in comparison
to code disks made of plastic, it has sig-
nificantly better resolution but is cold- and
heat-resistant to such an extent that the
AFS60 can be used at operating temper-
atures ranging from 20 C to +100 C.
In the AFS60, the shaft bearing, widened
to 30 mm, provides considerably more
ruggedness than in the case of encoders
with blocked ball bearings. Even at maxi-
mum operating speeds, the increased
distance between bearings results in un-
precedented freedom from vibrations and
optimum concentric running regardless
of whether the solid-shaft or hollow-shaft
variant is used.
Variants that make sense
The AFS60 series in the industry-proven
60-mm design is now available in all me-
chanical variants. In addition, the user can
choose among M12 or M23 connector
outlets, or opt for radially or, respective-
ly, axially usable cable outlets in various
connecting lengths. The shaft diameters
range from 8 mm to 15 mm (resp. 3/8,
1/2, 5/8). This facilitates installation
with very limited space available.
Programming: same look & feel
spanning the entire encoder portfolio
Already familiar from the complete new
family of absolute encoders, the AFS60
features an SSI interface. In addition, the
AFS60 is programmable using the same
programming tool that has already proven
its worth in the DFS60 series from SICK
STEGMANN. In this way, incremental, sin-
gleturn, and absolute multiturn encoders
can now be parameterized for the first
time with one programming tool.
AFS60 accurate, compact, and robust.
Minimum construction depth & high resolution
Encoders that set record highs
Two identical miniTwin sticks, each
equipped with sender/receiver elements,
make up a safety system.
Innovation N
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With the vibrating fork sensors of the LFV300 and LBV300
series, SICK extends its portfolio of level measurement
technology. The vibration switches detect level heights of liquids or bulk
materials; they can be configured appropriate to the respective processes;
they are certified for diverse fields of application; and they deliver convinc-
ing performance due to their wear-free and maintenance-free operation.
>> Typical tasks of the LFV series in-
clude use as overfill detectors or for
protecting against dry running of all
pumpable liquids. The vibrating fork
sensor of the LBV family are designed
specifically for containers holding
bulk materials or powdery sub-
stances such flour, wood pel-
lets, granular plastic material,
or rubber. Whether LFV or LBV
in both series, the piezoelec-
tric measuring principle and the
symmetrical structure of the vibrat-
ing probes ensure high immunity to
contamination, build-ups, and external
vibration influences. As well, differences
in pressure and turbulences, e.g. during
the filling of containers, foam, and the
formation of gas or bubbles have no in-
fluence on either the sensor function or
the switching accuracy.
Capable of modular configuration
Starting out with the actual sensor unit,
which consists of the vibrating fork de-
signed to be resistant against the rele-
vant substances and of the piezoelectric
element, the vibration level switches
Evaluating vibrations, detecting levels
Good vibrations
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
from SICK are capable of modular con-
figuration depending on the task in ques-
tion. Following the concept of modular
assembly, to begin with, one can choose
among process connections of differ-
ent size and design. Threads of various
dimensions are available for both the
LBV and the LFV sensors; furthermore,
the latter series can be combined with
Tri-Clamp pipe connections or flanges.
If the sensor in standard design does
not reach the desired actuation height,
it is possible to set the vibrating fork off
from the sensor housing by means of a
pipe extension or a messenger cable,
thus allowing operation on the desired
level. With respect to housings and ca-
ble glands, there is a choice of plastic,
aluminum, and stainless steel. The vari-
ants regarding the switching electronics
include a non-contact switch, a relay out-
put, or a transistor output.
New long-range ICR845-2L FlexLens code reader
Best solution by a long shot
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
When it comes to identifying 1D and 2D codes, the ICR845-2L FlexLens cam-
era code reader is the best solution by a long shot whenever the goal
is to manage reading distances up to 2 m. Short evaluation times even in
case of large reading fields and high reading reliability concerning
both stationary and moving objects open up interesting application
fields for the ICR845-2L FlexLens, particularly in car manufactur-
ing, packaging systems, and in intralogistics.
>> This applies equally to new plants and
retrofitting, since the connection system
of the ICR845-2L FlexLens and the CLV
series laser scanners from SICK is identi-
cal which permits simple switching to
the camera code reader if required.
Flexibility means versatility
Flexibility is one of the distinguishing
marks of the long-range code reader.
Interchangeable camera lenses and
varied means of lighting allow adjusting
the ICR845-2L FlexLens to nearly any
reading task. Reading distances of up to
2 m are possible which is important,
for instance, if the reading device can-
not be mounted closer to the object or
needs to be installed outside of a han-
dling area. The 1D or, respectively, 2D
codes are identified reliably in any state
of movement whether at a standstill,
in constant movement, or during braking
or accelerating by a transport system. An
additional bonus is the fact that even if
the reading device needs to detect the
code within a large reading field, the
reading result becomes available quickly
due to the short decoding time.
User friendliness means
fast and high availability
The ICR845-2L FlexLens also distin-
guishes itself by a high degree of user
friendliness. Changing the lens is a mat-
ter of seconds, involving only a few sim-
ple touches. The connecting and mount-
ing systems meet SICKs industrial stan-
dard, thus accelerating start-up. Live
Image and AutoSetup permit fast and
efficient implementation of the read-
ing task without a PC especially since
users are familiar with the operator inter-
face from other code readers made by
SICK.
With the ICR845-2L FlexLens object
identification in many applications is no
longer a question of distance.
Innovation N
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The CLV6xx barcode scanner platform from SICK offers
customized solutions all the way to the high-end segment.
Besides maximum reading results, noteworthy features include
the intuitive parameterization and user interface, as well as the
manifold possibilities for network and fieldbus integration.
>> The laser scanners comprising the
CLV6xx series offer scan frequencies up
to 1,200 Hz for conveying speeds of up
to 6 m/s, permitting a customized solu-
tion for different identification problems.
Furthermore, various CLV6xx devices are
also available as a variant with oscillat-
ing mirrors. Because of the processor
technology used the devices also feature
substantial performance reserves whose
utilization allows achieving reliably high
reading rates even with a view to de-
mands growing in the future.
CLV650 Reading everything
The new CLV650 is the high-end device in
the series. For instance, in the reading field
from 200 mm 1,600 mm, the scanner
features real-time autofocus with integrat-
ed distance measurement function, which
ensures utmost reading reliability even for
high plant throughput and the most diverse
object sizes. On the device, this is visualized
by a bar-graph display, which eliminates
the need for checking reading performance
by means of a PC. From the CLV620 fixed-
focus basic version upward, Ethernet on
Board and integrated web server function-
ality for scanner diagnosis are just as much
included in the scope of features and ser-
vices as the reliable two-stage fieldbus con-
cept with a separate connection box and
the parameter cloning option for minimized
device replacement times either using a
cloning module or, from the CLV630 up,
a micro SD card. Additional features are
the SMART decoding algorithms that have
been developed further.
Integrated intelligence
Furthermore, nearly all scanners can be
considered to be intelligent, since they
are capable of recording and saving, e.g.
contrast conditions, at the push of a but-
ton via two function keys, of activating
the required barcode symbologies, or of
reading the contents of codes in a sorted
manner and outputting them specific to
the application. For this purpose, it is
possible not only to adjust the data out-
put flexibly by means of Wizzard technol-
ogy but to process individual data seg-
ments separately and to output them via
two different ports.
Simple operation and integration
The operating concept, which is second to
none in simplicity, is based on the SOPAS-
ET software. It is an intuitive engineering
tool across device types that offers the
same look & feel for all devices from SICK
from the connection assistant for net-
work applications all the way to a diagnos-
tic window that can be activated through-
out the entire parameterization process.
The event monitor visualizes the inputs
and outputs of the CLV650, helping to vary
parameters during start-up. Access to the
device is compatible with target groups.
Depending on the complexity of a task or
the respective user, it is possible to permit
different accessibility levels to the system
parameters, e.g. for programming, start-
up, service, and maintenance. On the one
hand, this protects already parameterized
data and it reduces, on the other hand, the
number of parameters to the minimum
level required in the respective scenario.
With respect to communication, all
CLV6xxs are available with CAN-bus or
with Ethernet interface. In addition, field-
bus gateways are available, allowing in-
tegration into Profibus DP and DeviceNet
networks. Finally, the platforms offer a
Multiplexer function enabling operation
of the devices within SICKs CAN sensor
network.
Diagnostic tool supports
preventive maintenance
Due to their suitability for networking, the
scanners of the CLV6xx series provide the
opportunity of remote maintenance via
the RDT400 remote diagnostics tool. Us-
ing graphic visualization permits monitor-
ing and controlling the barcode scanners
both locally on the respective device and
centrally from a control computer or from
any place in the world. Thus, it is possible
to implement plant-specific solutions to-
ward preventive maintenance.
High reading performance, simple
parameterization, and manifold fieldbus
options the CLV6xx platform is very well
prepared for top performance in barcode
identification.
Platform completed with autofocus scanner
Top performance guaranteed
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
Product of the Month
June
34
01 2009
: Products Innovation Marathon Preview
On illuminating and luminous solutions
Changing of the guard
among luminescence sensors
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
Innovation N
O
24
>> Luminescence sensors are capable
of detecting invisible markings reli-
ably. To this end, the so-called lumino-
phores, invisible in usual ambient light,
are caused to light up when stimulated
with a source of UV light. In the field of
automation technology, luminophores
are generally added to substances, e.g.
paints, marking chalk, or adhesive ta-
pe. In the area of high-quality consumer
goods, such as champagne, invisible
markings with luminophores do not im-
pair the high-grade design of labels, whi-
le still permitting their alignment during
a labeling process, for instance.
To detect luminophores reliably under
such industrial operating conditions lumi-
nescence sensors must meet a series of
additional requirements concerning user-
friendliness, detection speed, and range.
That is the case with respect to the new
LUT8 and LUT9 luminescence sensors
from SICK. A particularly helpful feature
for adjusting the luminescence sensor is
the bar display on the device, which indi-
cates luminophore content in the marking
and thus detection reliability. In addition
to that, its optical filter allows for a dif-
ferentiation of various wave lengths and
does not suppress relevant luminescence
signals from the environment.
LUT8: The user-friendly
standard solution
Clear operating design is the strength
of the LUT8. With the help of the ope-
rating knob, the sensitivity of the LUT
and thus switching reliability can be
adjusted to the marking to be detected.
Whereas the LUT8 represents the solu-
tion for standard applications, e.g. for
detecting markings, labels, or package
inserts, the LUT9 is well prepared for
more demanding tasks.
LUT9: the solution with IO-Link
and extended detection range
Featuring an IO-Link option and a very
high detection range of 200 mm, the
LUT9 sets the new standard for lumi-
nescence sensors. Due to the poten-
tially considerable distance between
the sensor and the object, it is possi-
ble e.g. in the lumber industry to
detect markings reliably on different
thicknesses of wood without mecha-
nical readjustment of the sensors. The
teach function and the manual fine-tu-
ning allow a maximum degree of pro-
cess reliability. This is also the case
even with complex ambient conditions
as they can be found, for instance, in
wood or paper processing. Anyone op-
ting for the LUT9 version with IO-Link
can integrate the luminescence sensor
actively into the machine visualization,
parameterizing, monitoring, and using
the sensor directly from the control sy-
stem for capturing process data.
LUT8 and LUT9 their performance data
render them luminous solutions for illu-
minating markings.
Improved operating designs with bar display, increased scanning
distances and IO-Link the LUT8 and LUT9 ring in a new era in
the product segment of luminescence sensors.
P
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o
:

W
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i
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A
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: Products
35
In emissions monitoring, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are impor-
tant measuring components. However, this measurement does not
constitute the only focus of the new GM32 in-situ gas analyzer from
SICK. In process-gas monitoring, too, the analyzer takes on a major
role. Additionally, it measures ammonia in raw and clean gas.
>> All of these gases have one thing in
common: they are reactive. During trans-
port through dirty filters and sampling
pipes not heated in the optimum way, they
may react with other accompanying sub-
stances or they become bound. Memory
effects and reduced material to be mea-
sured are the consequence. Depending on
the length of the sampling pipes, consider-
able time lags may also occur because of
transport to the extractive analyzer. As a
result, the measured value is indicated
only with a delay. This time lag can easily
reach as much as one minute.
In this context, the concept of in-situ
measurement delivers convincing perfor-
mance. The GM32 uses the gas duct as
measurement path, measuring in the UV
range directly in the flowing gas with-
out sampling and transport. Another bo-
The new GM32 measures
aggressive gases without detours
Visual contact suffices
nus: probe or cross-duct measurement
achieves a far more representative mea-
surement than by point sampling with
a probe. Eliminating any time lag or un-
desired reactions during transport, the
gases are measured quickly, accurately,
and without any distortion.
GM32 tough when
the going gets tough
Obviously, this measuring strategy also
means that the analyzer system must be
installed directly at the measuring point.
As pioneers of in-situ technology we put
the main development emphasis on the
unqualified technical design of our mea-
suring devices, Dr. Volker Wilke, Head of
the Development Department in process
automation, confirms SICKs product phi-
losophy. Therefore, the GM32 is equipped
with automatic beam alignment in order to
keep the measuring beam focused in the
optimum way on the detector even when
it comes to swaying smokestacks or chang-
es through thermal shifts. Eventually, the
GM32 had to prove its stability in a tough
vibration test during the technical aptitude
test. This involved acceleration figures of
up to 12 times the standard values.
Certified in accordance with
the latest EU directives
GM32 is the first UV in-situ analyzer for
SO2 and NO tested entirely in accordance
with the new European EN15267-3
Quality Directive.
Further product information:
www.gas-insitu.com
requirements of automation, the WMF
has a lot to offer. For instance, the ro-
bust aluminum housing and the multi-
functional display visible from all sides
constitute important features for practi-
cal operation. The different construction
designs five overall with fork widths
up to 180 mm as well as fork depths up
to 120 mm, permit selection of the best
possible sensor for the most diverse ap-
plications. Automating cost-effectively to
a dot WFM is the solution.
>> The WFM complements SICKs port-
folio of fork sensors for standard ap-
plications. Concentrated on essential
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
New fork sensors in quick-start design
WFM concentrating on the essentials
The fixed factory settings as well as
simple alignment toward the object
with the help of the visible red light
make the new fork sensors of the
WFM series from SICK a fast plug
& play solution for a large number
of detection tasks, e.g. monitor-
ing parts in production processes,
checking for presence in bottling, in
intralogistical processes, or in han-
dling systems.
Product News
36
01 2009
: Products
36
Standards
>> The procedure and documentation of
the CE Safexpert 7.0 safety software corre-
spond to the requirements of the new Ma-
chinery Directive (MD) 2006/42 EC. And
SICK makes a product library available for
the SiSteMa software issued by the Insti-
tute for Occupational Safety and Health
(Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut fr
Arbeitsschutz BGIA), which allows easier
assessment of the required performance
level of safety-related machine control sys-
tems according to EN ISO 13849-1.
With the changes to the Machinery
Directive taking effect on 29 December
2009, all machine and plant manu-
facturers must design and build their
equipment in accordance with the re-
quirements in effect at that time. Even
today, it is necessary for manufacturers
to address the topic, since numerous
machines currently in the planning or
construction stage will probably be mar-
keted only after the deadline.
Considering today what will be
in effect tomorrow
With the assistance of Safexpert 7.0, both
machine manufacturers and plant opera-
Safexpert updates, product library SiSteMa integrates
Ready for the new
Machinery Directive!
tors are on the safe side. The CE software
accompanies them along the entire con-
formity process all the way to the CE la-
bel. Working with Safexpert 7.0 makes
implementation of the new requirements
easier than ever. Thus, the new Machin-
ery Directive 2006/42 EC is attached
and linked as a text in full in case ques-
tions emerge, the user is guided to the
appropriate passage via mouse click. At
the same time, all of the requirements of
the new Machinery Directive have been
edited thus clients spare themselves
the trouble of picking out passages from
the official texts. In this connection, too,
the new reports demanded by the Ma-
chinery Directive are already attached
in Safexpert 7.0. The standards man-
ager included in the software offers us-
ers the additional convenience of being
informed continuously about the current
standards situation the status of the
standards is shown with just one click;
the function also indicates which projects
are affected by the changes. Existing us-
ers can compile projects according to the
extant Machinery Directive 2006/37/EC
and, if necessary, convert projects to the
procedures of the new MD 2006/42 EC.
In Safexpert 7.0, the requirements of the
conformity processes are depicted in
keeping with the future Machinery Direc-
tive so that users receive the best pos-
sible support for maintaining a compliant
process at all times.
Safexpert 7.0 the MD insurance
Certainty instead of uncertainty, time sav-
ings instead of huge effort, flexibility and
sustainability Safexpert 7.0 offers all of
that to its users. Moreover, anyone wish-
The product library for the SiSteMa
software of the BGIA
The standards manager integrated in
the Safexpert software offers continu-
ous information concerning the stan-
dards situation
Whether machine manufacturers or plant operators anyone cur-
rently planning a facility and intending to market it in early 2010
already needs to work according to the new Machinery Directive in
order to have a compliant machine eventually. Moreover, the tran-
sitional period (DOW date of withdrawal) concerning the safety-re-
lated parts of control systems will expire. The calculation according
to category will be eliminated and the assessment according to per-
formance level will become binding. In order to make life easier for
plant manufacturers, SICK provides support for both issues.
37
: Products Accessories
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
>> SICKs mounting systems for indus-
trial sensors allow optimum installation
solutions. For instance, a large number
of standard mounting brackets are avail-
able for easy and fast installation of
photoelectric switches and photoelectric
proximity switches. In addition to mount-
ing of the sensors that is adapted to the
environment, the universal fastening
system with rod brackets guarantees the
greatest possible variability for installa-
tion and alignment. Special alignment
brackets for sensor protection or for high-
precision sensor alignment are available
as well. Also interesting to many us-
ers of pneumatic drive systems are the
mounting solutions for magnetic cylinder
sensors that allow reliable fastening of
SICKs cylinder sensors to a great variety
of pneumatic cylinders.
Maintaining the connection
under any conditions
SICK also offers a maximum degree of
competence with respect to connec-
tion systems. The spectrum ranges from
field-wired plugs and connecting or link-
ing cables of many descriptions all the
way to sensor/actuator cable terminal
boxes and plug connectors for integration
into fieldbus systems. Many solutions are
Not only is SICK technology and
market leader in many areas when
it comes to sensor technology; the
company also offers what is prob-
ably the most comprehensive range
of mounting solutions, connection
systems, and reflectors.
available in sector- or application-specific
designs, for instance, in order to meet the
high demands caused by drag-chain load,
exposure to lubricants, or use directly in
the cleaning process. The best example
is the food & beverage compatible con-
nection solutions in M8 and M12 from
SICK. Maximum leak tightness in IP69k
enclosure rating and top resistance to
aggressive chemicals, cleaning agents,
acidic and alkaline solutions due to a
choice of suitable materials such as PVC
and 1.4404/316L stainless steel guaran-
tee high durability of sensor connecting
cables and cable terminal boxes.
Reflector solutions
In the area of reflectors, too, SICK offers
a large portfolio of the most diverse sizes
and shapes as well as for different ap-
plication conditions.
The upshot: Instead of stinting in the
wrong department, a constantly increas-
ing number of users rely on solutions
from SICK when it comes to mounting
and connection systems as well as re-
flectors. The benefits are obvious: fast
availability, fully developed technology,
assured compatibility with the sensors
resulting in the potential of sensors
from SICK in their various jobs being
exhausted to the maximum. As compre-
hensive as the portfolio of accessories
may be beyond that, it still offers room
for new, customer-specific solutions that
can serve to make allowances for spe-
cial application requirements.
Who would want to stint in the wrong department?
Functional accessories for
top sensor performance
Further product information:
www.mysick.com/produkte
ing additional support concerning the safe
design of machines and plants beyond this
MD insurance may trust in comprehen-
sive services from SICK from a CE consul-
tation to assistance with the risk analysis
and all the way to the plant walk-through
and the appropriate advisory service con-
cerning safety-oriented application.
Parameter of safety sensors from
SICK usable directly in SiSteMa
Risk assessment involves defining the
control-related measure and determin-
ing the necessary PL. In SiSteMa, one
calculates whether the architecture of
the safety solution reaches the demand-
ed PL. Clearly, having the library with the
relevant values already available facili-
tates the calculations immensely.
For each product of the safety-re-
lated portfolio, all of the safety-relevant
parameters such as PL, PFHD (prob-
ability of a dangerous failure per hour),
category, B10d (the number of switch-
ing operations, in which statistically
speaking 10 % of the samples result in a
dangerous failure), are stored; so is the
permissible operating duration. This al-
lows the user quick access to all of the
necessary data, ensuring that they are
taken into consideration when assess-
ing individual safety functions. In terms
of evaluation, SiSteMa reconstructs, as
a Windows tool with integrated Wizard,
the structure of the safety-related parts
of a control system (SRP/CS) based on
the so-called designated architectures.
Using direct access to SICKs library, the
program calculates the reliability values
on different levels of detail, including the
performance level (PL) achieved.
The bottom line: As of 2010, every
machine manufacturer will be affected
by the new Machinery Directive. Without
the appropriate software tools such as
SiSteMa and Safexpert 7.0, an efficient
implementation toward meeting the
new requirements involves a lot of ef-
fort. Products from SICK will continue to
conform to all of the relevant normative
requirements in the future, thus making
an important contribution to conformity
assessment in accordance with the new
Machinery Directive. On top of that, SICK
supports manufacturers, system integra-
tors, and operators with respect to the
standardized design and implementa-
tion of their safety-relevant applications.
01 2009
: SICK Tour
15 years of SICK Poland
founded on 12 July 1994
20 years of SICK Optex Japan
founded on 1 April 1989
Subsidiaries
celebrate!
>> As a long-standing and successful busi-
ness partner, AMKO has already been con-
tributing considerably to the promotion of
SICK as an environmental brand, among
other things, with respect to analyzers for
flue-gas and dust measurement in power
stations and cement factories. Substan-
tial technical competence and customer
orientation of the employees taken over
from AMKO form the basis for targeted
further development of SICKs business in
environmental and process instrumenta-
tion in Canada. Precisely at this time, the
reinforcement of activities in process auto-
mation, a segment less dependent on the
economic situation, is an interesting op-
portunity for the SICK Group to strengthen
its position in Canada specifically and in
North America generally.
With the new Canadian subsidiary
SICK Ltd., which took over operations
from the previous project and distri-
bution partner AMKO SYSTEMS INC.,
SICK is expanding its activities in en-
vironmental monitoring on the Cana-
dian market.
Environmental monitoring
by SICK for Canada
Subsidiary in
Toronto founded
38
>> SICK would also like to congratulate
the winners of the other main prizes: an
outdoor navigation system and a back-
packers rucksack complete the equip-
ment needed for a voyage of discovery.
Visitors could gain many interesting in-
sights at SICKs exhibition stand, includ-
ing the highlights: the DT50 distance
sensor and the W4S-3 Inox miniature
photoelectric switch. A successful trade
fair all around (the world)!
New York, Rio, Tokyo on a voyage of discovery with SICK!
Encoder prize game at the
SPS/IPC/DRIVES
For Martin Linke from Siemens AG,
it was a successful visit to the SPS/
IPC/DRIVES 2008 trade fair not
least because of the main prize,
a travel voucher valued at 500,
which he won in our encoder prize
game. He was able to give the cor-
rect answer to the question Whats
the name of the new absolute en-
coder from SICK?: the AFM/AFS60.
>> In addition, the ACA offers the op-
portunity of training the companys own
staff as well as employees of customers
directly at the systems and applications
under real-life conditions.
Live tests with up-to-date technologies
The ACA provides the means to assem-
ble automation applications or solutions
in realistic conditions at different sta-
tions, e.g. at a test conveying section
or in application labs, thus preparing
the respective system for fast imple-
mentation in the clients productive set-
ting. The arrangement covers all of the
current technologies and applications
related to factory and logistics automa-
tion, such as RFID or image processing.
SICKs contact persons at the ACA clari-
fy technical questions, prepare possible
1,000 m for system solutions in factory and logistics automation
SICK opens Application Center in Singapore
Just recently, SICK has officially
opened the first Application Center
(ACA) in Asia. Nearly 1,000 m of
floor space allow assembling, test-
ing and optimizing system solutions
for factory and logistics automation
in an environment that realistically
reproduces subsequent productive
operations.
approaches toward solutions, imple-
ment them using innovative products
and solutions, and, if required, carry out
software adjustments.
: SICK Tour
Working in the morning, having lunch, and then heading for the in-house af-
terwork lectures in the afternoon the idea of the safetyPLUS

practice af-
ternoons organized by SICK on the topic of Implementing safety standards
easily enjoys great popularity in many companies.
>> In terms of safety technology, the turn
of the year will be quite momentous: the
widely known standard EN 954-1 will ex-
pire on 29 Dec. 2009, being replaced by
EN ISO 13849; furthermore, important
changes to the Machinery Directive, MD
2006/42 EC, will take effect. How will
protective measures according to the
regulations look like from that point on-
ward both in theory and practice?
Getting the picture in only four hours
The answers are delivered by SICKs four-
hour safetyPLUS

practice afternoons.
In addition to the introduction of the re-
forms and changes to the MD and the
relevant standards, a lot of attention is
devoted to the typical case studies of
safety-related tasks and approaches to
solutions. The presentation includes the
safetyPLUS

technology from SICK just

as it does the working method with the
SiSteMa software tool issued by the Insti-
tute for Occupational Safety and Health
(Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut fr
Arbeitsschutz BGIA). An aspect par-
ticularly interesting for users: SiSteMa is
supported by a product library from SICK,
which allows importing all of the safety-
relevant key numbers and data into the
safety-related calculations. At the conclu-
sion of the event, enough time is sched-
uled for questions and discussions.
Please register an event
will be held in your area as well
In the weeks ahead, too, SICK again in-
vites interested parties to participate in
the safetyPLUS

practice afternoons.
The info box below shows when and
where the practice afternoons.
To register, please visit
www.sick-safetyplus.com.
Afterwork lectures attract participants
Successful safetyPLUS

practice afternoons
>> In the future, process automation
will be operating in the market under
the umbrella brand of SICK. This con-
tributes to the increasing integration
into the groups global sales and service
organization.
SICK Sensor Intelligence. combines
great demands on quality with the solu-
tion competence in analyzers and pro-
cess instrumentation. The joint presence
on the market strengthens relations with
Offering analyzers and instrumentation systems for emission monitoring and
process-gas measurement, the groups segment of SICK process automation
had been very successful to date as a supplier of complete systems operat-
ing under the label of SICK MAIHAK. The global market presence and above-
average growth rates have made process automation an important business
segment within the SICK Group.
our clients and conveys the security of a
strong and innovative corporate group.
The legal designation of SICK MAIHAK
GmbH will remain unaffected by this, en-
suring that approvals and certifications
of the products retain their validity.
SICK as the quality brand
Sensor Intelligence.
>> The upcoming dates
Hamburg 04/30
Ingolstadt 05/12
Frankfurt a.M. 05/26
Stuttgart 06/02
Munich 06/09
Leipzig 06/23
Hannover 08/25
Berlin 09/08
Waldkirch 10/13
Dsseldorf 10/29
>> Five years ago, the Swedish IVP Com-
pany, specializing in vision products, was
acquired by SICK AG. Today, the vision
segment has become firmly established
within the SICK Group. In the future, the
vision segment, too, will do business un-
der the uniform umbrella brand of SICK
and no longer under the SICK IVP brand.
The company name of SICK IVP AB, how-
ever, will continue to exist.
One Vision
one umbrella brand
39
: Internet
40
01 2009
Group web site even more visitor-friendly
sick.com with a new look
>> With the new sick.com, it was pos-
sible to achieve the decisive milestone
for SICKs internationally uniform pres-
ence on the web.
Search functions optimized further
Web sites serve to inform. Shorter
searches, quicker finds the innova-
A short while ago, the SICK Groups new web site www.sick.com
went online. The look is new, the feel significantly improved thanks
to a new navigation structure. Featuring the content-management
system Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server, sick.com is on the cut-
ting edge in terms of information technology as well.
tive navigation structure of sick.com
makes it possible. This new navigation
structure was developed together with
SICKs subsidiaries and based on feed-
back and requirements on the part of
customers. Thus, the new web site of-
fers possibilities for a quick introduction
to clients who are either looking for spe-
cific products, wish to obtain details on
solutions, need specific sector-related
information, or simply want to find the
right product for a certain application.
In addition, all parts of the web site are
now integrated into the search func-
tion. In this way, visitors receive the
information quickly, directly, and tai-
lored precisely to their requirements.
Furthermore, the communication struc-
ture in the area of Products and Solu-
tions is arranged in the same way as
one will encounter again in all other
publications by SICK, e.g. in catalogues.
Whether print of electronic for parties
interested in SICK, this achieves a high
recall level, extending over all types of
media.
The latest content-
management technology
By using the content-management sys-
tem Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server,
SICK relies on the most up-to-date infor-
mation technology. Apart from the multi-
site management that is unique in this
form and ensures a high degree of con-
tent reusability for SICKs subsidiaries,
the web sites IT solution also allows ef-
fective change management. Visitors to
sick.com will always be presented with
the latest and most current contents
something exceedingly important, for
example, in the area of safety-related
standards or for the update of product
features.
sick.com visit the new web site to
check out the worlds leading technical
expertise in sensor, control, and system
technology.
Product or sector? SICKs new web site provides clients with the possibility of a quick introduction
S
u
b
s
i
d
i
a
r
i
e
s
Australia Phone +61 3 9497 4100
+1800 3 3480 2 tollfree
[email protected]
Austria Phone +43 22 36 62 28 8-0
[email protected]
Belgium/Luxembourg
Phone +32 2 466 55 66
[email protected]
Brazil Phone +55 11 3215 4900
[email protected]
China Phone +852 2763 6966
[email protected]
Czech Republic Phone +420 2 57 91 18 50
[email protected]
Denmark Phone +45 45 82 64 00
[email protected]
Finland Phone +358 9-25 15 800
[email protected]
France Phone +33 1 64 62 35 00
[email protected]
Germany Phone +49 211 5301-0
[email protected]
Great Britain
Phone +44 17 27-83 11 21
[email protected]
India Phone +91 22 4033 8333
[email protected]
Israel Phone +972 4 999 0590
[email protected]
Italy Phone +39 02 27 43 41
[email protected]
Japan Phone +81 3 3358 1341
[email protected]
Netherlands Phone +31 30 229 25 44
[email protected]
Norway Phone +47 67 81 50 00
[email protected]
Poland Phone +48 22 837 40 50
[email protected]
Republic of Korea
Phone +82 2 786 6321/4
[email protected]
Romania Phone +40 356 171 120
[email protected]
Russia Phone +7 495 775 05 30
[email protected]
Singapore Phone +65 6744 3732
[email protected]
Slovenia Phone +386 (0)1-47 69 990
[email protected]
Spain Phone +34 93 480 31 00
[email protected]
Sweden Phone +46 8 680 64 50
[email protected]
Switzerland Phone +41 41 619 29 39
[email protected]
Taiwan Phone +886 2 2375 6288
[email protected]
Turkey Phone +90 216 587 7400
[email protected]
United Arab Emirates
Phone +971 4 8865 878
[email protected]
USA Phone +1 (952) 941 6780
[email protected]
More at www.sick.com
Publisher: SICK AG Postfach 310 79177 Waldkirch Germany www.sick.com
Phone +49 7681 202-0 Fax +49 7681 202-38 63 [email protected]
Coordination: Stephanie Rott [email protected]
Specialist editor: TOP MEDIA Dirk S. Heyden 69469 Weinheim [email protected]
Layout: johnson][braun Direktwerbung 76133 Karlsruhe [email protected]
Translator: Dr. Erwin D. Fink 79106 Freiburg [email protected]
Printing: Dinner Druck 77963 Schwanau [email protected]
Pictures: SICK AG, www.ausloeser-fotodesign.de, getty images, fotolia
Individual contributions may be reproduced after prior consent. Please contact us at:
Phone +49 7681 202-3878 Errors excepted Subject to technical change
>> Imprint
: Info Trade fairs Imprint Contacts
>> Visit SICK at the Trade Fair!
Trade fair dates Germany
Trade Fair Location Dates 2009
ACHEMA Frankfurt a.M. 05/1105/15
TOC Europe Bremen 06/1606/18
drinktec Munich 09/1409/19
VISION Stuttgart 11/0311/05
Productonica Munich 11/1011/13
SPS Nuremberg 11/2411/26
Trade fair dates Europe
Trade Fair Location Dates 2009
Mocon s-Hertogenbosch, NL 04/0804/09
EXPO-GAS Kielce, PL 04/2204/23
easyFair Verpackung Zrich, CH 04/2204/23
MCERTS Bretby, UK 04/2904/30
HISPACK Barcelona, E 05/1105/15
Trade fair dates worldwide
Trade Fair Location Dates 2009
IRAN OIL & GAS Teheran, IR 04/2204/25
Butech Busan, ROK 05/2005/24
Korea Pack Ilsan City, ROK 06/0206/05
MIOGE Moscow, RUS 06/2306/26
Further trade fair dates with SICK worldwide at www.sick.com/fairs
SICK AG Erwin-Sick-Str. 1
79183 Waldkirch Germany
Phone +49 7681 202-0
Fax +49 7681 202-38 63
[email protected] www.sick.com
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SICK AG | Waldkirch | Germany | www.sick.com
Innovation Marathon 2009:
52 weeks, 52 innovations.
All year long: innovations to power up your productivity
Applications may vary, but requirements stay very much the same: increased productivity
and decreased costs. In 2009 SICK brings you 52 innovative sensor solutions for factory,
logistics and process automation to provide the basis for lasting effciency improvements.
Visit www.sick.com and discover the power of innovation and a new product each week!