In short, RadioSafe is ...

RadioSafe is a series of radio controls dedicated to the protection of personnel in the industry with the safest wireless emergency stop.

It consists of two families of solutions:

  • machine-to-machine communication: workshop transmitter + machine receivers
  • operator-to-machine communication: portable operator transmitter + machine receiver

Highest safety level in the industry:

  • SIL 3 - PLe emergency stop certified by TÜV,
  • instant protection of operators in case of electric shock or loss of consciousness

Productivity booster:

  • instant restart of a fleet of AGVs after maintenance
  • continuous process inspection without production stop

Radio link reliability:

  • up to 2 km range in ski ropeways
  • complete range of technical solutions to enable radio propagation in warehouses with high storage density

RadioSafe global safety management focuses on SIL 3 – PLe wireless safety stop to tackle critical dangers typically met in highly automatized factories / warehouses, robotized production cells, continuous process lines. After a stop the all fleet can restart instantly. In addition, RadioSafe helps reducing battery consumption. The system's reliability is provided to live monitoring of the radio signal.

Operator Portable Emergency Stop

Access of technicians to the core of industrial machineries might be required for maintenance or repair operations or to setup and adjust a process with best efficiency. RadioSafe portable emergency stop for radio remote controls takes up the challenge of protecting them.
The Validation Handle for Radio Remote Controls designed to provide an individual wireless control and protection system to the authorized personnel intervening for maintenance, adjustment or control of dangerous equipment.

A 3-steps trigger allows operation while half-pressed. When released (fall, fear) or fully pressed (electric shock) processes stop at once.
In addition, 4 function buttons allow sending some commands to the machines.

Breast Worn Radio Remote Control

The Breast Worn Radio Remote Control is formed by a unit comprising 4 function buttons, a “Start” button and an emergency stop palm switch. It features a high level of adaptability allowing each position to receive 5 different types of function buttons. The buttons allow for controlling equipment or process lines.

The emergency stop of a compact radio remote control is always within reach. Both hands remain free to work.

Specification

Global Safety Stop System

The system consists of a wireless safety transmitter and one more wireless safety receivers.

The safety transmitter has the following functions: 

  • 10 self-monitoring control inputs.
  • 1 SIL 3 safety stoppage control input.
  • 1 reset input.
  • 2 status outputs. 

Each safety receiver has the following functions:

  • 1 radio input paired with the transmitter.
  • 1 SIL3 dual-channel wired emergency stop input.
  • 3 safety outputs paired with the safety input of the safety transmitter.
  • 4 static outputs paired with the control inputs of the safety transmitter or with the receiver statuses.
  • 3 static outputs indicating the operating status. 

In order to increase the level of safety in using this product, technological solutions and innovative functions are also provided:

  • Choice of working frequency channel from 25 frequencies in the 434 MHz band or 64 frequencies in the 915 MHz band.
  • Double transmission antenna for improved radio connectivity.

Average range: 

250 m in typical industrial environment. Range will vary according to environment conditions of transmitter and receiver reception antenna (frameworks, metal partitions…).

Finally, maintenance is made easy: 

  • Settings and identity code memorized on a SIM card in the transmitter.
  • LED for troubleshooting.
Matching Repeater
Main Applications
  • Intralogistics, e.g. fleets of AGVs/AMRs/mobile conveyors
  • Factory automation: continuous process lines or single machines
  • Automotive industry, e.g. AMRs & skillets
Downloads
FAQ

We are already using safety laser scanners, why would we use RadioSafe?

  • Laser scanners provide individual safety to single machines or single operators, at the local level. 
  • RadioSafe provides global safety features to a complete infrastructure and whole workforce. 

Can I just add a safety switch on the Wi-Fi power supply to stop all AGVs?

  • A sum of safe components does not make a safe solution especially with radio signals: safety cannot be only passive. 
  • RadioSafe performs a permanent surveillance of the transmitter safety signal, and it reacts within a few milliseconds. 

What does RadioSafe do better than the basic shutdown a navigation system?

  • Navigation system shutdowns do not let one choose when, where and how you stop, and it leaves one blind. 
  • RadioSafe enables you to safely draw “stop patterns” such as “access and emergency evacuation routes.” 

If everything is stopped, why would I keep my navigation system active?

  • Highly productive applications should always anticipate how to resume normal operations, even during emergencies. 
  • Thanks to RadioSafe, a track of all AGVs exact locations might be recorded, at all times, to organize a quick fleet restart. 

Why add a distinct software and hardware in addition to the main navigation system

  • Navigation systems rely on highly evolutive software (constant navigation optimizations) and hardware (scalable fleets) 
  • A distinct software/hardware safety solution guarantees safety assessment integrity throughout upgrade operations. 

Can other radio signals be sent to RadioSafe, in addition to the safety signal?

Yes, it is possible. Depending on the RadioSafe transmitter type, up to 10 distinct inputs can be activated and sent to the RadioSafe receivers. 

Is it possible to send a command to a specific pallet shuttle within a fleet of shuttles?

Yes. For example, let’s consider a fleet of 6 shuttles. The first 6 inputs of the RadioSafe transmitter might be used to address a specific shuttle number for any of 4 commands. 

Can RadioSafe be used without any on-board PLC?

Definitely! RadioSafe contains many embedded functions that might be used without any type of PLC. However, without a PLC, there would be only 4 programmable outputs available. A PLC expands these possibilities. 

What are the benefits from interfacing the RadioSafe receiver with the on-board PLC?

The serial link of the RadioSafe receiver gives access to all variables and status of the receiver, including all setting parameters. 

How to have a centralized management of all RadioSafe receivers, within a fleet of AGVs?

A PLC connected to each RadioSafe receivers’ serial link and a centralized communication to all PLCs will provide a centralized control. 

Can RadioSafe be activated only in specific areas?

Yes. With a safety PLC connected to the RadioSafe receiver, it is possible to monitor RadioSafe safety status or safety outputs and further activate/deactivate safety supervision only under certain location or environment conditions controlled by the safety PLC.  

How to address different stop zones?

If the zones can be defined safely, one specific RadioSafe transmitter can be installed in each zone.  Each RadioSafe transmitter will emit on a different radio channel. For the mobile robot carrying the RadioSafe receiver to switch from one zone to another, a channel change procedure can be executed to match the RadioSafe transmitter of the zone to be reached. 

Can RadioSafe be integrated within existing Wi-Fi radio infrastructures?

  • No. RadioSafe comes with its own radio infrastructure (both frequency and transmission protocol) to guarantee a full proper radio propagation. 
  • Wi-Fi infrastructures tend to be quite loaded and consequently they do not guarantee signal transmission everywhere. 

Does RadioSafe work on the 2.4 GHz frequency?

  • No. As of today, RadioSafe is only available on 433/434 MHz and 911/918 MHz bands with EU/FCC/IC approvals. 
  • 2.4 GHz has some limitations for non-stop signal transmission in addition to longer and more complex radio frames. 

Do you provide a standard radio transmission system for all applications?

  • Yes. RadioSafe solutions are delivered with one transmitter and optional standard components if signal propagation needs to be further boosted. 
  • It is mandatory to provide a preliminary layout of the application to choose the appropriate optional components. 

Is it possible to modify and to improve the radio propagation scheme at a later stage, on site?

  • Yes. First, all setting parameters are easily accessible on site to adjust them to the application’s real constraints. 
  • Secondly, additional radio propagation components can be added further to a live mapping of RadioSafe’s Received Signal Strength Indicator – RSSI.  

Is it possible to overcome radio interferences with RadioSafe?

  • Yes. A dedicated time setting is available for any loss of signal and a distinct time setting is triggered for safety stop. This means that short harmless interruptions will be allowed while longer safety-critical ones will stop the fleet of mobile robots. 
  • Individual machine passive and active stops are clearly identified separately on RadioSafe receiver’s serial link or outputs. 
Video

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