To achieve efficient production, safety concepts must be integrated into machine concepts. PNOZmulti 2, a configurable secure small controller from Peer, now supports the open EtherCAT communication system and incorporates the Safety protocol safety-over-EtherCAT FSoE (fail-safe protocol on EtherCAT). As a result, the PNOZmulti 2 can transmit control and safety-related information at the same time, resulting in increased productivity. PNOZmulti 2 provides flexible and economical expansion options when connecting security-related device architectures.
Safety-over-EtherCAT for EtherCAT communication: Starting with the software tool PNOZmulti Configurator version 11.3, the secure small controller PNOZmulti 2 can be easily configured as the FSoE master, FSoE slave, and EtherCAT slave. The EtherCAT FSoE communication module can be used with the base unit PNOZ m B1 to enable up to 4 master-master connections and 60 master-slave connections. In this way, flexible plant structures can be easily implemented and extended with a “single cable solution” at the fieldbus level. As a result, certified safety systems not only provide a high level of safety, but also improve the efficiency of plants and machinery.
The radar and the drive are cleverly combined
With PNOZmulti 2 as the FSoE master station, it is easy to securely network with PSENradar, the safety radar sensor, and PMC (Pilz Motion Control), the safety drive technology, both of which have FSoE capabilities. There is also a “single cable solution” that allows flexible integration of FSOE-enabled actuators and sensors into the network. As the FSoE master station, PNOZmulti 2 integrates the monitoring of all the application’s security functions, from emergency stops to security doors to light curtains, into one device and connects to the secure slave station in the network. This minimizes wiring work and saves costs. Comprehensive diagnostic options also ensure minimal downtime for economical production.

The protocol Safety-over-EtherCAT (FSoE) is defined to enable EtherCAT’s secure data transfer. FSoE allows the transmission of security and non-security related information in EtherCAT communication systems. Therefore, according to IEC 61508, FSoE is suitable for safety applications up to SIL 3.