FREMONT, CA - Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc. introduces the G9SX-GS Safety Guard Switching Unit. External outputs enable status indication of two safety input devices, auxiliary outputs enable monitoring of safety inputs, safety outputs and errors, and detailed LED status indicators provide quick, easy system diagnosis. Additionally, logical AND connections help facilitate complicated applications in combination with other G9SX series units. Perhaps most significantly, each G9SX-GS unit supports unique auto switching and manual switching functions. Auto switching ensures safety and productivity in applications with coordinated operations - namely, operators working together with machines - by monitoring the machine or robot and operator to make certain the machine and operator don't enter the coordinated area at the same time. "As an example of auto switching, in a robotic work cell application the operator inserts a workpiece and safety light curtain A monitors the robot, allowing it to continue to operate so long as it does not interrupt light curtain A. When the robot processes the placed workpiece, safety light curtain B monitors the operator and allows the robot to continue operating so long as the operator doesn't interrupt light curtain B," says Rich Puddicombe, Product Manager.

The manual switching function is ideal for applications that require limited machine access for operations such as maintenance and cleaning. During normal machine operation the door switch monitors the door status and allows the machine to operate so long as the door is closed. When the operator switches to maintenance mode the door switch is disabled and an enabling switch is put into the safety circuit. The enabling switch allows the machine to continue to safely operate so long as the operator continues to hold the enabling switch in the 'enabled' position. Should the operator release the enabling switch to the 'disabled' position, the machine will stop to prevent danger to the operator.

G9SX-GS devices are compliant with IEC/EN 61508 (SIL3), IEC/EN 62061 (SIL3) and EN 954-1 (category 4).

About Omron STI

Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc. is a North American leading provider of automation safeguarding products and services. Omron STI provides safety products that are used to protect workers around machinery, automated equipment and industrial robots. Our products serve a wide variety of applications and markets, including semiconductor, automotive, medical, electronics manufacturing, packaging and consumer markets. Omron Scientific Technologies Inc., 6550 Dumbarton Circle, Fremont, CA 94555; 1-800-479-3658; (510) 608-3400; fax: (510) 744-1442; E-mail: sales@sti.com; Web site: www.sti.com.