Werma Upgrades Industrial Signaling for Greater Flexibility and Visibility

Machines often stop due to alarms, a lack of raw materials, or a device that has stopped communicating with the control system. These scenarios need to be indicated to the operator using basic visual cues. A tried-and-true method is to use signal lights and towers. These signaling solutions feature lighted segments and often an audible signaling device.

Recently, Werma Signaltechnik expanded its eSIGN and MC55 product lines to provide greater visibility and support additional communication protocols.

Werma’s MC55 High features a higher dome than the standard MC55 series to increase the light’s visibility at greater distances and angles. Image used courtesy of Werma Signaltechnik

MC55 High Signal Lights

An important feature of any indicator light, especially a signal tower, is that it can be seen from all angles and at a distance. Werma has expanded its MC55 single-segment light stack to include the MC55 High. The standard MC55 is a medium-sized indicator light with a 55 mm diameter. The MC55 High uses the same base, but with a higher dome that offers better visibility at greater distances and around obstacles.

An MC55 High signal light being used to show the status of a CNC machine. Image used courtesy of Werma Signaltechnik

Standard, IO-Link, and Smart Solutions

The MC55 High comes in three variants. The standard version can be ordered with tricolor, multicolor (seven colors), and with or without a buzzer. The light’s five-pin M12 connector enables basic wiring.

The MC55 High’s IO-Link version supports machine builders who strive to use independent communication protocols on their field devices. With this version, users get maximum control over the integrated functions, parameters, and diagnostic data. The IO-Link variant uses a standard seven-colored segment that can be dynamically changed from any PLC.

For maximum flexibility, the Smart version enables users to program the MC55 High with Werma’s configuration software fully. With the software, light patterns, color selection, tones, and time-based escalations are all possible with a mouse click.

eSIGN Signal Tower With PROFINET

PROFINET is an open industrial Ethernet protocol used to communicate with field devices. The protocol is similar to IO-Link, in which control, parameters, and diagnostic information are available to the PLC in real time. Werma has now integrated PROFINET into its popular eSIGN signal towers.

Werma’s eSIGN LED signal tower series now includes a PROFINET version. Image used courtesy of Werma Signaltechnik

The eSIGN product line is a multisegment signal tower series offering multiple color options, audible versions, and three sizes. The eSIGN product's functionality enables technicians to create futuristic signals that are highly visible.

The latest release of the eSIGN includes PROFINET communications and PoE integration. This new feature provides control, parameterization, diagnostics, and power over one Ethernet cable. By using PROFINET with PoE, machine builders can utilize the PLC to dynamically turn the stack light into a multifunction device that shows machine status, reject bin levels, or even production efficiency. In addition to the new PROFINET version, Werma will continue to offer its earlier eSIGN signal towers that use IO-Link communication.