Material processing
Dust and chip generation
Sawing, milling and other processes that fill the air with particles, where an optical device would trip on contamination rather than on a person.
ConfirmConfirm dust type, density and the zone geometry.
Safe radar sensor
PSENradar
Optical protective devices lose availability when the air is full of dust, spray or sparks. PSENradar monitors a protection zone volumetrically using frequency modulated continuous wave radar, so the same contamination that disturbs a light curtain or scanner does not disturb it.
FMCW radar technology24 – 24.25 GHzVolumetric monitoringEthernet, PROFIsafe, FSoEUp to SIL 2 / PL d / Cat. 3
SIL 2Up to, per
PL dCat. 3
24 GHz24 – 24.25 GHz band
PSENradarSensor shown with controller; the system also requires an analysing unit
SIL 2Up to, with PL d and Cat. 3
24–24.25 GHzOperating frequency
FMCWSensing principle
RetrofitEthernet, PROFIsafe, FSoE
Why it is specified
Radar sensing changes
The advantages are environmental rather than geometric. Radar is chosen when optical sensing cannot hold availability, not because it detects better in clean air.
Unaffected by airborne contamination
The manufacturer states high availability despite dust, dirt, rain, light, sparks or vibrations.
Volumetric monitoring
The protection zone is monitored as a volume rather than as a plane or a flat field.
Suited to robot applications
The SIL 2, PL d and Category 3 capability is often what robot applications require.
Retrofit-friendly interfaces
Ethernet, PROFIsafe and FSoE interfaces make the sensor straightforward to add to an existing installation.
Applications
PSENradar is used
The manufacturer positions the sensor for rugged environments — outdoors, in heavy industry and in material processing such as woodworking.
Outdoor plant
Rain, spray and sunlight
Installations exposed to weather and direct light, where ambient conditions vary through the day and the season.
ConfirmConfirm mounting, exposure and temperature range.
Robot cells
Zone monitoring in heavy industry
Robot applications in foundries, forging and similar environments that need Category 3 protection but defeat optical devices.
ConfirmConfirm reach envelope and required integrity level.
Technical data
Selection parameters that matter
publishes the sensing principle, frequency band and capability for the system. Ranges, field sizes and device combinations are configuration-dependent and belong to the current documentation.
The radar system comprises the sensor together with an analysing unit; both must be specified.
| Sensing principle | FMCW — frequency modulated continuous wave radar |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | Volumetric protection zone monitoring |
| Operating frequency | 24 – 24.25 GHz |
| Capability | Up to SIL 2, PL d and Category 3 |
| Interfaces | Ethernet, PROFIsafe and FSoE |
| Environmental tolerance | High availability despite dust, dirt, rain, light, sparks or vibrations |
| Opening angle | 30° vertical and 110° horizontal on the PSEN rd1.1 variant |
| System components | Radar sensor together with an analysing unit |
| Controller pairing | With PNOZmulti 2, The manufacturer describes a complete protection-zone monitoring solution |
Radar is not automatically superior to a light curtain or scanner. Where the air is clean and the geometry is a defined plane, an optical device is usually the more precise and economical choice.
Models
System components and variants
A radar installation is specified as a system. Confirm the exact sensor and analysing-unit combination against current manufacturer data.
Sensor
PSENradar sensor
The radar sensor itself, mounted to cover the protection zone volume required by the application.
- Principle
- FMCW
- Band
- 24 GHz
Evaluation
Analysing unit
The analysing unit completes the system and provides the interface to the safety controller.
- Interfaces
- Ethernet
- Safety
- PROFIsafe / FSoE
Field of view
Opening angle
publishes a 30° vertical and 110° horizontal opening angle for the PSEN rd1.1 variant.
- Vertical
- 30°
- Horizontal
- 110°
Arrangement
Series connection
Sensors can be arranged in series with a controller and analysing unit for larger or shaped zones.
- Controller
- PNOZmulti 2
- Scaling
- Multiple sensors
Accessories
Evaluation and controller pairing
The sensor does not stand alone. The analysing unit and the safety controller complete the protective function.
System
Analysing unit
Required alongside the sensor; provides the Ethernet interface and the connection into the safety architecture.
ConfirmConfirm the sensor and analysing-unit pairing.
Evaluation
PNOZmulti 2
The manufacturer describes the combination with the configurable small controller as a complete solution for protection zone monitoring.
Typical pairingPNOZmulti 2 configurable safety controller.
Integration
PROFIsafe and FSoE
Safe communication interfaces allow the system to be added to an existing safe network rather than hard-wired.
ConfirmConfirm the network and the controller it joins.
Before quotation
Application review
Radar is specified from the environment first. If the environment does not defeat optical sensing, review a scanner or light curtain instead.
Environment
- What specifically defeats optical sensing — dust, spray, sparks, light or vibration
- Indoor or outdoor installation and weather exposure
- Ambient temperature range
- Surfaces and materials within the monitored volume
Protection zone
- Volume to be monitored, in three dimensions
- Mounting position and the available field of view
- Whether several sensors are needed to cover the zone
- Approach direction and required detection
Machine performance
- Measured stopping time of the machine
- Required integrity level — whether SIL 2 / PL d is sufficient
- Whether a person can remain inside the monitored volume
- Reset arrangement and its position
Integration
- Existing safety controller and spare capacity
- Whether PROFIsafe or FSoE is already in use
- Whether this is a retrofit to an existing installation
- Quantity and delivery timeline
Related technologies
PSENradar sits in the architecture
The sensor and analysing unit detect. The safety controller evaluates and commands the stop, exactly as it would for an optical device.
PSENscan where the air is clean
PSENopt II for a defined access plane
PNOZmulti 2 for evaluation
Analysing unit as part of the system
PROFIsafe or FSoE safe communication
Reset positioned outside the zone