Using a virtual production machine, Schmersal will show how the diagnostic data and status information of various safety components can be communicated to the higher-level control system via installation systems such as the 'SD-Bus' or the 'Safety Fieldbox'. A 5 m × 2 m display wall at the trade fair stand depicts a real-looking machine line in 3D. Trade fair visitors can interact with the display wall using real products. For example, they can select products via two operating stations - depending on their selection, they can change the processes in the virtual machine line. In this way, the aim is to demonstrate as clearly as possible how communication processes within - sometimes very complex - production systems can be controlled efficiently. At the same time, it will be shown how safety switching devices with various functions can be networked with minimal wiring effort in order to forward the signals bundled to a control system.

A novelty at Schmersal is a safety light curtain with an integrated Bluetooth interface. Thanks to the Bluetooth BLE interface, the 'SLC440/COM' makes all status and diagnostic data on the operating status of the device available on smartphones or tablets in real time. Commissioning is also easy thanks to the integrated set-up help via smartphone or tablet. The device also offers the option of storing data, which can be used for documentation purposes during recurring inspections and for predictive maintenance, for example.

The data is communicated to smartphones or tablets (Android, IOS) via an app developed by Schmersal. According to the company, the wide range of data communication for optoelectronic safety systems should be emphasized: So far, only diagnostic tools based on NFC technology are available on the market. However, while NFC tools only offer a range of a few centimeters, the Bluetooth BLE interface achieves a hundred times greater range of up to 5 m and is therefore particularly suitable if the optoelectronic safety system is located in a relatively inaccessible place. In addition, Bluetooth BLE enables more possible applications, as most smartphones or tablets have Bluetooth, but not all have NFC. And last but not least, the light curtain series can be used worldwide, as Bluetooth is the international industry standard.