Safety light curtains/grating sensors are critical safety devices in industrial automation, designed to protect workers from accidental injuries caused by mechanical equipment. This type of sensor ensures the safety and efficiency of the production environment through precise detection and rapid response. The following will provide a detailed introduction to the principle, application areas, advantages, and selection factors of safety light curtain sensors.

01. Working principle
The safety light curtain sensor consists of two parts: a projector and a receiver. The projector emits modulated infrared light, and the receiver receives this light, forming a protective net between the two. When an object enters the protective net and blocks the light, the receiving state of the light receiver changes. Through the internal control circuit, the light receiver will output a signal in the output section, which can be used to control the emergency braking of related equipment, such as machine tools, presses, etc., to immediately stop running, thereby avoiding personal injury or equipment damage.

02. Application Fields
industrial production
In the mechanical processing industry, such as stamping machinery, shearing equipment, metal cutting equipment, automated assembly lines, automated welding lines, etc., it can prevent operators from entering dangerous areas due to operational errors and causing safety accidents. For some hazardous areas, such as places with toxic, high-pressure, high-temperature and other hazardous factors, safety light curtain sensors can also play a good role in safety protection.

Logistics field
In material handling and conveying systems, the transportation process of materials can be monitored in real-time. Once an object approaches or enters a hazardous area, such as personnel accidentally approaching a running conveyor belt, the system will promptly sound an alarm or stop the conveyor to ensure the safety of the working environment.

Transportation
Widely used in places such as subways, high-speed trains, airports, etc., it is used to detect whether passengers or staff have crossed the safety line, issue timely alarms, and take corresponding measures to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.

03. Advantages
High sensitivity:
Capable of quickly responding to object occlusion of light and issuing alerts in a timely manner.

Strong anti-interference ability:
It can effectively resist various interference factors in the environment, such as electromagnetic interference, light interference, etc., ensuring the accuracy and stability of detection.

Easy installation:
Usually, the structure is simple, the installation process is relatively easy, and there is no need for complex wiring or configuration.

Long service life:
Generally, it can last for several years or more and has low maintenance costs.

Wide application range:
It can be applied to various industries and different work scenarios, meeting the security protection needs in different scenarios.

04. Selection factors
Security level:
Choose the appropriate safety level based on the level of danger posed by the equipment to people. For situations with significant risk of injury or death, choose level four safety level, while for situations with general risk, choose level two.

Optical axis spacing:
Select the appropriate optical axis spacing based on specific protection requirements and the size of the detected object. The smaller the distance between the optical axes, the higher the detection accuracy, and the higher the detection range and sensitivity of the safety grating.

Protection height:
Ensure that the protection height of the safety light curtain can cover the dangerous area, preventing personnel or objects from entering the dangerous area from above or below without being detected.