Light curtains or grids are part of the most important ESPE (electro-sensitive protective equipment) in production and assembly. The close-meshed light curtains secure hazardous areas and switch off the machine when hands or fingers get too close. Newer models such as the Sick deTec4 safety light curtain already come with an IO-link interface so that the data of the protection device can be continuously read and checked in accordance with Industry 4.0 standards (in this case with a SOPAS engineering tool ).

The provider from Waldkirch has also equipped its deTec4 light curtains with NFC ( Near Field Communication ). Maintenance technicians can now make a quick short range diagnosis on-site using a smartphone app. The light curtains draw the energy needed to transfer information from the active transmitter of the mobile device. Other safety providers have already made their light curtain technology suitable for IIoT (often through openSAFETY ), including Datalogic , ReeR , Wenglor and Wieland Electric . ReeR ( booth D13 ), Sick ( booth F18 ) and Wieland ( booth F69 ) will be represented in Automation Hall 9 at the Hanover Fair from April 23 to 27.