Muting Light Curtains vs. Non-Muting Light Curtains
- Post By : Zeta Group Engineering
- March 20, 2023
- No Comments on Muting Light Curtains vs. Non-Muting Light Curtains
In industrial automation and robotics, the use of safety light curtains is essential for worker safety. Light curtains are devices that use beams of light to detect the presence of objects and stop a system if a worker is detected in a hazardous area.
There are two main types of light curtains: muting and non-muting. In this blog, we will explain the differences between the two and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Muting Light Curtains
Muting light curtains are designed to temporarily deactivate the safety system when objects need to pass through the protected area. This allows the machine to continue operating, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. Muting light curtains can be programmed to recognize the difference between objects, such as parts and tools, and workers.
Muting Light Curtain Advantages
One of the main advantages of muting light curtains is that they enable a worker to move freely around a machine or robot without triggering an alarm or causing the machine to stop. This improves worker productivity and reduces risk of incidents.
Muting light curtains can also be programed to recognize the difference between objects and workers, ensuring that the safety system is only temporarily deactivated when objects are passing through the protected area.
Muting Light Curtain Considerations
However, the use of light curtain requires careful consideration to ensure that safety is not compromised. For example, muting light curtains need to be properly installed, programmed, and maintained to prevent false activations, and workers must be trained to use them correctly.
Failure to comply with safety regulations and standards can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Non-Muting Light Curtains
Non-muting light curtains, on the other hand, do not temporarily deactivate the safety system. They provide a constant safety barrier, which is not affected by objects passing through the protected area.
This ensures that the safety system remains active and operational, protecting workers from machine-related injuries.
Non-Muting Light Curtain Advantages
One of the main advantages of non-muting light curtains is that they offer constant and reliable safety barriers. These barriers are not affected by temporary objects passing through the protected area. This ensures workers are continuously protected, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Non-muting light curtains are also relatively easy to install and maintain, making them a cost-effective safety solution.
Non-Muting Light Curtain Considerations
However, non-muting light curtains can also cause downtime and reduce productivity as workers need to stop and start the machine each time they exit or enter the protected area.
In addition, non-muting light curtains can trigger false alarms if there are any objects in the protected area, which can lead to unnecessary shutdowns and further delays.
Conclusion
Both muting and non-muting light curtains are essential safety devices in industrial automation and robotics.
Muting light curtains are ideal for applications where an object needs to pass through the protected area without triggering an alarm, such as loading and unloading machines.
Non-muting light curtains, on the other hand, are ideal for applications where objects do not need to pass through the protected area often.
The choice between the two is dependent on the specific application and level of safety required. In both cases it ins important to comply with safety regulations and standards. By selecting the appropriate safety light curtains, companies can ensure worker safety while also maintaining productivity and reducing downtime.
