new Keyence SL-V20H Safety Light Curtains

Keyence · Safety · SL-V20H · Light Curtain

What Is the Keyence SL-V20H Safety Light Curtain?

The Keyence SL-V20H is a Type 4 safety light curtain (ESPE — Electro-Sensitive Protective Equipment) from the SL-V series. It projects an array of infrared beams between a transmitter and receiver to create an invisible safety barrier. When any beam is interrupted — by a hand, arm, or body entering the hazardous zone — it triggers an immediate machine stop in presses, robot cells, and automated machinery.

In short: A Keyence SL-V series safety light curtain that creates an infrared protective field around hazardous machinery — stops the machine instantly when the detection zone is breached, protecting operators from crush, shear, and impact injuries.

Key Features

1. Type 4 Safety Classification (IEC 61496)

What it means: The highest safety integrity level for optoelectronic protective devices — suitable for SIL 3 / PL e applications.
Why it matters: Legal requirement for safeguarding high-risk machinery such as hydraulic presses, robot welding cells, and automated palletizers.
Result: Compliance with international machine safety standards and local occupational safety regulations.

2. 20mm Beam Pitch (Finger Detection)

What it means: Adjacent infrared beams are spaced just 20mm apart — capable of detecting a human finger.
Why it matters: Allows the light curtain to be mounted closer to the hazard zone while still ensuring detection before an operator can reach the danger point.
Result: Tighter machine guarding footprint with higher safety margin.

3. Keyence SL-V Series Reliability

What it means: Advanced interference rejection, self-diagnostic routines, and redundant output circuits.
Why it matters: False trips stop production; missed detections cause injuries. The SL-V balances both risks.
Result: High machine uptime with maintained safety integrity throughout the operating life.

Key Specifications

Typical Applications

• Hydraulic Press Guarding: Creating a protective light barrier at the loading/unloading zone of metal stamping and forming presses.
• Robot Work Cell Safety: Perimeter guarding of robotic welding, painting, and assembly cells to prevent operator entry during automatic cycles.
• Automated Palletizers: Protecting access points around pallet stacking and wrapping machinery in warehouse automation.
• Injection Molding Machine Guarding: Safeguarding mold area access on plastics injection molding machines during clamp operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

"What is the difference between 20mm and 40mm beam pitch?"

20mm pitch (finger detection) can detect objects as small as a finger — suitable for close-proximity guarding where the light curtain is near the hazard. 40mm pitch (hand detection) cannot reliably detect fingers but is acceptable when the light curtain is mounted farther from the hazard zone (calculated using the minimum safety distance formula in ISO 13855).

"How do I calculate the correct mounting distance from the hazard?"

The minimum safety distance S = (K x T) + C, where K is the approach speed (2000mm/s for light curtains), T is the total system stopping time, and C is the intrusion distance (8 x (d - 14) for 20-40mm pitch). A qualified safety engineer should perform this calculation for your specific machine stopping performance.

"Does KOEED supply other Keyence safety products?"

Yes — we source the full range of Keyence safety and sensor products, including safety controllers, laser scanners, and vision systems. Browse our Keyence collection or send your part list to Moritta@KOEED.COM for a comprehensive quote.

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