New IQAN Controllers

The Electronic Controls Business Unit of Parker Hannifin has released new functional safety controllers for mobile machinery applications. As well as offering high levels of robustness and straightforward system integration, Parker said the new IQAN-MC4xFS controllers have been developed to provide a more cost-effective way of meeting the safety standards required for heavy mobile machinery. Typical applications include reach stackers, aerial platforms, refuse truck loaders, mobile cranes, telehandlers and steer-by-wire forestry machinery and construction machinery.

Designed for controlling hydraulic valves and certified to IEC 61508 SIL2, the IQAN-MC4xFS target mobile machinery applications where electronic controllers are evolving with safety functions up to SIL2/PLd required. The Machinery Directive states that control systems must be designed to prevent hazardous situations, and with the EN ISO 13849-1:2015 update, there is now a precise limit for safety functions where safety ratings (SIL/PL) by the controller manufacturers is required. IQAN-MC4xFS is suited for use in applications where non-certified controllers were previously accepted, Parker said.

Parker offers three versions of the MC4xFS controller: the MC41FS, which is designed for one or two safety functions in support of cost-efficient, task-oriented control; the MC42FS, which offers a higher number of safe outputs for mid-size applications and I/O distribution; and the MC43FS, a large centralized controller for applications involving multiple safety functions.

Parker said the new IQAN-MC4xFS controllers have been designed to simplify and ease implementation in customer applications allowing faster development of new machine functionality. This is supported and enabled by full compatibility with the established IQANdesign platform which provides an intuitive tool for programming, simulation, testing, production, service and maintenance.

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