Link Engineering is a multinational company based out of Plymouth, Michigan that designs and provides precision test equipment to a variety of industries. Primarily focusing on the needs of the automotive industry and its part manufacturers, Link provides test equipment and a variety of testing services. Link needed to upgrade and centralize the machine guarding and safety monitoring of their automotive dynamometers, lacing machines, friction machines and more. The Pilz line of PNOZ safety relays and PSEN sensors was chosen to complete the project.
They decided to use the PNOZ S4 base unit and the S7 Sigma contact expansion module to monitor safety related functions. The PSENmag is used to monitor entry into gated areas of the machinery and production equipment and monitors the position of movable guards in accordance with EN 60947-5-3. It is approved for safe applications up to, Category 4 of EN 954-1, PL e of prEN ISO 13849-1 and SIL 3 of EN IEC 62061. Because the systems are monitored through a centralized safety network, Link increased safety standards they meet while keeping their safety footprint small and operation costs low. In the dynamometer operations, Link used Pilz’s PSENmag and PSENmech switches.
The PSENmag is a non-contact, magnetic safety switch used to monitor the position of movable guards. The PSENmech ensures that the safety gate is interlocked (guard locking) until the hazardous process is complete. This allows Link to reduce the safety footprint as with their other machines, but it also gives them a greater degree of flexibility to setup dynamometer configurations. Link chose Pilz due to their proven track record of high quality products and support and the flexibility, easy setup and expandability Pilz products offer and because Pilz North America L.P. is a local company response times will be quick if technical problems arise.
LINK ENGINEERING COMPANY has been in operation since 1935 with offices around the globe. LINK designs, develops, manufactures, installs, and operates a wide array of test systems for the automotive, truck, railroad, and aerospace industries. They have provided test systems for brakes, transmissions, clutches, axles, driveline components, steering systems, springs, tires, wheels, and a variety of other components. LINK also provides testing services to a global customer base. For more information visit www.linkeng.com.
About Pilz: Pilz offers a full range of leading-edge safe automation products and services. Products include sensor technology, electrical monitoring relays, and automation solutions with motion control, safety relays, programmable safety and control systems and an operating and monitoring range. Wireless and safe bus systems are also available for industrial networking.
Pilz also provides a comprehensive range of consulting, engineering and OSHA-approved training services. Pilz performs facility safety reviews for due diligence relating to mergers and acquisitions. For more information visit www.pilz.us.