PROTECT PSC1 safety controller with integrated OPC UA server

At SPS IPC Drives 2018, the Schmersal Group presents a new dedicated Industry 4.0 solution: the PROTECT PSC1 safety controller with integrated OPC UA server. The connection of the PSC1 to the new machine-to-machine industrial communication protocol enables the integration of comprehensive information from Schmersal products in manufacturer-independent data exchange.

In addition, using this solution, Schmersal products, thanks to the information relating to their maintenance need, allow an exchange at the right time, before any breakage of equipment or detrimental loss of performance in the context of predictive maintenance.

Schmersal's PROTECT PSC1 is a modular programmable safety controller. It is equipped with a universal communication interface allowing data exchange with upstream control systems via different fieldbus systems. The protocols of the different fieldbuses can be selected via software. Thus, the PROTECT PSC1 is offered with a single hardware for the various possible bus systems. Schmersal has integrated an OPC UA server into this communication interface. Thanks to it, all Schmersal safety sensors can access a large amount of machine-readable data with semantic description via the M2M communication protocol. These include, but are not limited to, safety output status data, safety technology reference values, sensor life information, ordering information, data sheets, drawings and pictures. Safety sensors equipped with a Schmersal SD bus can also display information relating to the actuator, the temperature inside the sensor, the serial number of the device as well as error messages (ex .cross-circuit, overheating, internal device fault, communication error, output Y1/Y2 etc.).

"Thanks to the integration of OPC UA in the PSC1, it is now possible to make our product data available for manufacturer-independent exchange, whether from machine to machine or for communication with the 'entire factory', explains Ulrich Bernhardt, Director of Control Systems Sales at the Schmersal Group. "We see OPC UA as a pioneer for Industry 4.0, as it standardizes industrial communication and enables interoperability between products from different manufacturers. We are happy to offer an innovative solution to our customers. A rather abstract future concept thus becomes a concrete added value for our customers“.