In industrial automation, the safety of employees, products and systems takes first priority. A multitude of safety technologies have been developed for this purpose.
Radar, 2D LiDAR, and 3D time-of-flight (ToF) are three of these technologies that are frequently employed in industry. Every technology has its own advantages and disadvantages and it is important to understand the differences in order to be able to make a sound decision on the technology to use.
What is radar?
Radar is a sensor technology based on electromagnetic waves that uses radio waves to detect objects. For safety applications, radar can be used to detect the presence of people or objects in order to stop the dangerous movements of machines and prevent an unexpected restart.
Radar was first used in the manufacturing industry in the 1930s. It was initially developed to detect airplanes in the Second World War. After that it was adapted for civil use and is now widely used for numerous applications in the manufacturing industry. Radar solutions for safety applications are available with performance level d and are generally used to detect persons and objects in order to stop dangerous movements and prevent an unexpected restart.
Key features of radar
1. Impervious to interfering materials: Radar also operates effectively in environments with dust clouds, wood shavings, sparks and plastic particles.
2. High performance in harsh environments: SICK’s radar for safety applications, safeRS3, is rated at protection class IP67 and can be operated at temperatures between -30 °C and +60 °C. It is also highly tolerant of contamination.
3. Protective fields: Solutions such as the safeRS3 from SICK offer configurable field sizes and can monitor up to four protective fields simultaneously. And all that with performance level d.
What is 2D LiDAR?
2D LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a laser-based sensor technology that uses light to detect objects. This technology is often used in safety applications that need to cover large areas or complex contours.
It uses laser to detect objects in a two-dimensional plane and thereby obtain detailed information on the surroundings. These sensors can be used, amongst other things, to detect persons and objects, measure distances, or identify moving objects. They can also be used to detect obstacles and avoid collisions in automated manufacturing processes.
2D LiDAR was first used in the manufacturing industry in the early 2000s. In the beginning it was mainly used in collision avoidance systems in the automotive industry. 2D LiDAR is now available certified to safety performance level d and also performance level b and is used in numerous manufacturing industries, including robotics, logistics and manufacturing plants in general. The technology has become increasingly popular in recent years because the costs have fallen and the accuracy has improved.
2D LiDAR can also be used to monitor and detect changes in the surroundings. This ensures more safety and efficiency in the manufacturing process. 2D LiDAR is suitable both for stationary and mobile applications. Typical stationary applications include, for example, horizontal area monitoring or vertical access protection. For mobile applications, it is necessary to also implement a simultaneous field protection for the mobile robots or automated guided vehicles. This enables them to slow down or come to a stop depending on which field an object or person enters.
Key features of 2D LiDAR
1. Obstacle detection: 2D LiDAR systems can detect obstacles or persons in a room, which is essential for safety applications in manufacturing and logistics.
2. High-resolution scanning: The high-resolution scanning capability of 2D LiDAR systems allows localization and navigation with the help of highly accurate and precise measurement data.
3. Short response times: 2D LiDAR systems can detect objects quickly and accurately, which can shorten the response time in safety-critical applications.
4. Safe protective fields: 2D LiDAR systems can be used to monitoring protective fields according to performance level d or performance level b in manufacturing environments and thereby enable the safe movement of people and machines.
5. Real time monitoring: 2D LiDAR systems provide real time feedback and data that can be used for safety checks, measurement and monitoring.
What is 3D time-of-flight?
3D time-of-flight (ToF) is a sensor technology based on optical principles that uses light to detect objects. With this technology, a light pulse is emitted, and the time required for the pulse to be reflected back off objects in the surroundings is measured.
3D ToF is often used in safety applications that require detailed information on the surroundings. With the help of light pulses, 3D ToF can create an accurate 3D map of the monitored area. This map can then be used to detect objects and determine whether they are moving.
The 3D time-of-flight technology was first used in manufacturing in the early 2000s. It was originally used for image acquisition and scanning in 3D. Its use has now expanded, however, to numerous applications. Since 2023, this technology has been available for the first time with a safety level, performance level c. This now allows safety applications such as collision protection for mobile robots, 3D protection for collaborative robots, and object detection for conveyor systems.
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