Every safety guard of a machine or plant is, besides a safety switching system, equipped with a control panel, by means of which the operator can at least activate the emergency stop, on/off and reset functions. Usually, these control panels are manufactured by the machine builder according to the “do-it-yourself” principle. Especially for small quantities or in companies with their own auxiliary equipment production department, which only manufacture small series, this is a highly uneconomical operation, which does not always produce the desired result from the technical or aesthetical point of view.

The Schmersal Group felt a need for standardisation in this field and therefore has developed a modular system of control panels, which can be configured according to the user’s needs. The first configuration level of this system will be presented at SPS/ IPC/ DRIVES 2009. The basis of this module is a slender, shock-resistant enclosure, which can be quickly and smoothly fitted onto the customary aluminium profile system used in mechanical engineering and can accommodate four control elements. As the control elements are regarded, the user can choose from a comprehensive range of illuminated pushbuttons, selector switches, signalling devices with LED, key-operated switches and standard-compliant emergency stop control devices.

All control elements have the same contacts. In this way, the user can choose their position on the control panel depending on the individual requirements. Also for the labels, which are applied in labelling areas with plastic cover, the user has freedom of choice.

In the course of the development, the Schmersal engineers have interviewed many customers about the desired features and functions, which such control panel should include. The results of these surveys have been integrated in the design of the BDF series. The most wanted features appeared to be a comprehensive choice of control elements and smooth fitting. Many users also preferred that the label was not applied to the switch itself, but in a separate labelling area.

As they are a separate unit, which is not linked to a door-handle or the safety switchgear, the control panels can be installed in the most favourable position as ergonomics is regarded. The panels can even be fitted on top of each other or side by side.

At SPS/ IPC/ DRIVES, the Schmersal Group will present multiple configuration variants of the BDF series. In Hall 9, booth 460, Schmersal will also present many safety switchgear innovations as well as total systems for machine safety on an exemplary assembly plant, which is normally used in the Wuppertal production.