Exemplary embodiments are provided of wireless emergency stop systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device wired to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes multiple personal safety devices. Each personal safety device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The machine safety device is configured to maintain wireless connections with more than one of the multiple personal safety devices at the same time. Example methods of operating a wireless emergency stop system are also disclosed.

A wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device connected to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes a mobile device controller configured to control operation of the machine, and a safety stop device. The safety stop device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The mobile device controller is configured to link with the safety stop device via short-range wireless communication.

The disclosure relates to a holding device for a handheld computer unit that is designed to control a machine, wherein the holding device has a holding unit that is designed to hold the handheld computer unit, and wherein at least one integrated safety switch for a safety function of the machine is integrated into the holding device and/or wherein the holding device has a further holding unit for holding at least one external safety switch for a safety function of the machine.

Exemplary embodiments are provided of wireless emergency stop systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device wired to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes multiple personal safety devices. Each personal safety device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The machine safety device is configured to maintain wireless connections with more than one of the multiple personal safety devices at the same time. Example methods of operating a wireless emergency stop system are also disclosed.

Exemplary embodiments are provided of wireless emergency stop systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device wired to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes multiple personal safety devices. Each personal safety device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The machine safety device is configured to maintain wireless connections with more than one of the multiple personal safety devices at the same time. Example methods of operating a wireless emergency stop system are also disclosed.

A service panel for controlling at least one utility actuator to control the availability of a utility comprises a covered enclosure having an exterior region and an interior region, at least one readily accessible utility control providing ON and OFF request signals and a limited access control in the exterior region providing a temporary activate signal. The service panel has a controller and data storage programmed with code and data and control circuitry providing an ON control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to the ON state, and the control circuitry providing an OFF control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to an OFF state, the control circuitry further providing a re-key signal to the at least one actuator in response to activation of a switch.

The disclosure relates to a holding device for a handheld computer unit that is designed to control a machine, wherein the holding device has a holding unit that is designed to hold the handheld computer unit, and wherein at least one integrated safety switch for a safety function of the machine is integrated into the holding device and/or wherein the holding device has a further holding unit for holding at least one external safety switch for a safety function of the machine.

A service panel for controlling at least one utility actuator to control the availability of a utility comprises a covered enclosure having an exterior region and an interior region, at least one readily accessible utility control providing ON and OFF request signals and a limited access control in the exterior region providing a temporary activate signal. The service panel has a controller and data storage programmed with code and data and control circuitry providing an ON control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to the ON state, and the control circuitry providing an OFF control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to an OFF state, the control circuitry further providing a re-key signal to the at least one actuator in response to activation of a switch.

An emergency command device comprises: two safety inputs connectable to a control/evaluating unit to receive an input voltage; two safety outputs connectable to the control/evaluating unit; two electrical switching paths respectively extending between the two safety inputs and the two safety outputs; an emergency actuating unit comprising: a manually triggerable actuating element, a background element, and two switches connected to the actuating element and respectively disposed in the two electrical switching paths; a light emitting unit comprising red LEDs to backlight the actuating element and yellow LEDs to backlight the background element; a voltage detector detect an electrical output voltage at one of the two safety outputs; and a flashing circuit arrangement coupled to activate flashing of the yellow LEDs and/or the red LEDs in response to detection by the voltage detector of a drop in the output voltage below a preset or presettable threshold value.

Method and apparatus for the automated determination of an effective area for an emergency stop device(s) in an industrial plant is provided. In modern flexible installations, as will be increasingly found, (such as cyberphysical systems), the layout of the plant will be dynamically changeable. In such an environment, it is often impossible to manually prepare complete safety plan in advance for each potential environment. The proposed methods and apparatuses allow automatic calculations of operational configurations and effective regions of emergency stop devices in an industrial plant, allowing easy positioning of such devices. An improved method for recalculating the effective region after the layout of the plant or portions thereof changed is also provided.