Allen Bradley GuardShield

The Allen-Bradley GuardShield series is a series of safety light curtains that are designed to enhance workplace safety by protecting users from machine-related hazards. The GuardShield light curtains are presence-sensing devices. They can detect the presence of personnel near hazardous industrial machinery. The GuardShield light curtains are available in different models that support PAC (Perimeter Access Control) or POC (Point of Operation Control) applications. Light curtains that support PAC applications protect users from hazardous areas around machines and light curtains that support POC applications protect users' hands and fingers at a machine's point of operation. The GuardShield series includes many product lines with different kinds of light curtains.

One of the standout features of the GuardShield safety light curtains is their advanced Electro Sensitive Protective Equipment (ESPE) technology, which allows them to be used as safety devices in many different environments. GuardShield light curtains in the 450L product line that support PAC applications are available with lengths from 150 to 1050 millimeters and with options for 1 to 4 light beams. GuardShield light curtains in the 450L product line that support POC applications are available with lengths from 150 to 1950 millimeters and with either finger resolution or hand resolution. The GuardShield light curtains can operate in different modes. They can operate in the Guard-Only mode as on/off devices, in the Start Interlock mode to prevent the OSSD outputs from switching on after a power-up process with no obstructions in the protective field, and in the Restart Interlock mode to prevent the OSSD outputs from switching on after a power-up process with an obstruction in the protective field that has been detected and cleared. The system must be reset manually when the light curtains are used in the Start Interlock and Restart Interlock modes. The GuardShield light curtains can also be used for system testing.

To be used effectively, GuardShield safety light curtains must be installed around suitable machines and used in conjunction with other safety devices. GuardShield light curtains can only be used with machines that have electrical control and that can be stopped anywhere in their strokes or cycles. Additionally, these light curtains should be used in conjunction with restart buttons that are located outside the hazardous areas around machines so that users within the hazardous area cannot access and operate the restart buttons. GuardShield light curtains are designed to sense presence, but they are not designed to sense or protect personnel from chemicals, heat, or flying parts. GuardShield light curtains that support PAC applications can be used with corner mirrors to provide 2-sided or 3-sided protection around a machine.