Safety controller is `smallest and fastest`

The German safety specialist, Hima, claims to have developed the world`s smallest and fastest machine safety controller. The company`s HiMatrix F20 measures just 89mm x 111mm x 136mm and has a cycle time of a mere 0.02ms for a 1k program.

The controller has eight configurable inputs and outputs, including line monitoring, and four digital clock outputs. It conforms to category 4 of EN 954-1 or SIL3 of IEC 61508. It is designed to integrate into Ethernet networks and to transmit safety data at 100Mb/s using Hima`s SafeEthernet protocol, avoiding the need for a separate safety network.

The controller includes an RS485 port for Modbus and a slot for extra communications modules supporting buses such as Profibus.