FEATURE Automated warehousing
BALANCING PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY BALANCING PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY
The role of light curtains and coordinated sensor systems is crucial productivity and safety, as PLUS Automation explains...
T
he rapid advancement of warehouse automation is reshaping logistics, enabling a seamless connection between
storage and production. In this fast- paced environment, achieving both speed and coordination is crucial, but safety cannot be overlooked. The simultaneous operation of automated vehicles, conveyors, and stacker cranes elevates the risk at entry and exit points, underscoring the need for robust safety measures without disrupting the smooth
This challenge was tackled in a Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specialising in intelligent industrial systems. Central to the initiative was
a three-dimensional automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) designed for integrated handling, storage, and picking alongside the production line at a prominent premium household appliance maker. To ensure safe operations across this complex setting, the OEM partnered with ReeR Safety. At the heart of the solution was the installation of over 100 pairs of EOS4 safety light curtains strategically located at workstation entrances across the three levels of the warehouse. These EOS4 units create an invisible yet dependable barrier between personnel and moving loads. They permit the movement of goods while instantly responding to a human attempting to cross their path. However, relying solely on light curtains
sophisticated coordinated sensor system was and people. As goods approach, two pairs of frontal photoelectric sensors detect their presence, signalling the automated vehicle to halt perfectly at the transfer point. A diagonal sensor then communicates with the conveyor, Throughout this exchange, the EOS4 curtain monitors the area – muting is activated to allow a package to pass through, but if a person is detected, the system promptly triggers a stop, ensuring safety is paramount. The careful integration of sensors and safety light curtains guarantees that muting cannot be misused or triggered by misleading actions. This results in a system tampering. Operators remain safeguarded unimpeded.
between productivity and safety has been alarms and downtime while fully adhering to international machine safety standards. Most importantly, this application illustrates how thoughtfully designed safety technology can sophisticated logistics operations. Contact PLUS Automation to learn more about machine safety products from ReeR Safety, factory automation sensors from Contrinex, and process automation sensors from Satron Instruments Inc.
PLUS Automation
www.plusautomation.co.uk
12 November/December 2025 | Automation
automationmagazine.co.uk
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