Press Retrofit is Textbook: New for Old – and Even More Productive!
May 15, 2024
Grass GmbH, a global manufacturer of movement systems – including telescopic slides – required a safety upgrade of a complete press line for steel forming at their Salzburg plant. Where normative safety requirements are concerned, presses have a special status: so they were looking for a partner that was able to convert “slightly” older plants to state-of-the-art safety and control technology, in compliance with the standards.
In Pilz Austria, the Salzburg-based company found an expert who could complete the job in textbook fashion. Today’s major players for safety are the small controller PNOZmulti 2 and the automation system PSS 4000; safe sensor technology PSEN and the control unit PITgatebox complement the package for a press line that is safe all round.
Safety upgrade on and around the press
The aim was to increase the process stability of the press line when forming steel. The retrofit of the three machine parts: reel and straightener, profiling machine and automatic punching press, involved the installation of a completely new switch cabinet and control console. On the profiling machine, the focus for the safety technology upgrade was the small controller PNOZmulti 2, with modules for safe press control.
The higher level automation system PSS 4000 was incorporated for the standard automation, as well as new rope pull switches and the safety switch PSENcode for position monitoring. The safety locking device PSENmlock safeguards the reel and straightener; both it and the safety gate can be managed safely via the control unit PITgatebox. Anywhere that it was necessary to retrofit barrier-free safety, existing devices were supplemented with safety light curtains PSENopt II for finger, hand and body protection. So after the conversion, the press line could be handed over production-ready.
Benefits at a glance
- Increased productivity of the press line by reducing cycle times from 3.5 to 3 seconds
- Maximum safety in compliance with the standards with state-of-the-art safety and control technology in accordance with EN ISO 13849-1
- One-stop press retrofit for all plant sections on the press line
Customer statement
“Should a similar conversion become necessary, we know based on our last experience exactly who to turn to. Because that process was textbook: keeping to the deadline, manufacturer-neutral advice, the actual implementation and the final conformity assessment procedure – everything really worked perfectly”
Andreas Huber, Maintenance Manager at Grass GmbH
About Grass GmbH
With 1,890 employees at seven production sites in Europe and America and fourteen sales offices worldwide, the Austrian Grass Group is the world’s leading expert in movement systems for the furniture industry. As a development partner and system supplier, the global player has been offering innovative products and solutions for more than 70 years, under the slogan “Moved by Grass”. The portfolio includes drawers, slides, hinges, flaps, interior accessories and opening systems, including for handle-free opening.
Pilz’s products in the application
Small controllers PNOZmulti 2
Th 2nd generation of small controller with 22.5 mm base units and many extensions for modular expansion. The success story continues! Rely on PNOZmulti 2, the worldwide safety standard.
The automation system PSS 4000
The PSS 4000 automation system stands for optimum interaction between hardware and software components, network devices, and real-time EtherNET
Machine safety at each stage
Pilz can provide support throughout the whole machine lifecycle with their safety services for the design phase, operation, or retrofit of plant and machinery
Safety switches
The safety switches PSENmech, PNESmag, PSENcode, PSENhinge, and the safety bold PSENbolt are available with various designs and operating principles. They can be used even in difficult environmental conditions.
Safety switches with guard locking
Pilz safety switches with guard locking offer the right solution for both process and personnel protection – for safe, productive working
Pushbutton unit PIT gatebox
The robust control unit with various combinations of pushbuttons, key switches, and E-STOP pushbuttons gives you maximum flexibility for your individual application
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