BTi - Comitronic
BTi is a technology leading manufacturing arm of Comitronic. BTi manufactures a range of non-contact safety switches and safety interfaces. Unique technology allows them to make a range of safety switches which can achieve up to control Category 4 (the highest safety catagory under AS4024-1:2006.), without needing a safety controller. Using state of the art electronic detectors, the coded magnetic switches, solve the application problems faced by electro-mechanical reed switches used by others. These include low current limitations, welded contacts, ability to defeat with simple means, only up to 6 switches per interface maximum. Also available are versions in a stainless steel housing, laser marked to withstand cleaning in food, beverage and pharmacuetical applications. Special applications can be solved with unique versions which can magnetically hold access points closed until safe to release, or versions which require a seperate key reset to ensure hidden access points are inspected prior to resetting the safety system. Fully electronic versions allow low cost installations to be achieved by connecting up to 30 switches to a single controller, supporting cable runs up to 700 metres without any noise problems experienced with sequential pulse monitored systems. For the control side a full range of devices are available to monitor, Emergency stops, safety interlocks, light curtains etc. Zero speed monitors utilising back EMF allow simple cost effective monitoring of motors, failsafe timers digitally contolled from 1 to 999 seconds simplify the selection and spares required and are available for various applications controlling heating elements, variable speed drives etc.
One of the strongest issues confronting users of non-contact safety switches is mis-alignment. The BTi switches ACOTOM(tm) process provides good tolerance in all three axis of movement. This also allows approach in all three axis, something not possible with reed switch based devices. Combined with a small and consistent switching hysterisis, risks associated with guards opening too far before switching off are eliminated, without causing problems in applications where vibration can cause false tripping.