New safety touch buttons operate with dual-microcontroller design.
Minneapolis, MN–October 27, 2000–Banner Engineering Corporation has introduced patent-pending STB Self-Checking Optical Touch Buttons, ergonomic touch buttons with an internal design based on diverse microcontrollers. The STB self-checking circuitry includes a diverse-redundant microcontroller circuit that monitors the function of the primary photoelectric circuit through the use of additional emitter and receiver elements. STBs also include separate redundant outputs. The new STB buttons have the same form, fit and function as Banner's popular OTB buttons, with the dual-microcontroller technology added.

Because they switch when their light beam is broken by a simple insertion of a finger, ergonomically designed STB buttons eliminate hand, wrist and arm stresses associated with repeated switch operation. No physical pressure is required to operate the buttons. List prices begin at $112.

Especially significant is the continuous self-check performed by the microcontrollers in the STB buttons. The emitter and receiver responses are monitored continuously by the microcontrollers. STB buttons are designed to immediately detect any internal component failure and indicate the presence of the failure by a red Fault LED. When the power is on, a green LED indicator shows a steady ON and OFF when the power is off. When the button output is activated, a steady red LED shows ON and OFF when the button output is not activated. The red LED flashes when a fault condition is detected. All models are supplied with a yellow polypropylene (TP) field cover to prevent inadvertent switching. STB Buttons are immune to ambient light, EMI and RFI interference. And their high excess gain cuts through heavy contamination.

Banner Engineering is the world's leading manufacturer of electronic machine guarding systems, photoelectronic and ultrasonic sensors, fiber optic assemblies, and precision measurement systems. For further information, contact: Banner Engineering Corp., PO Box 9414, Minneapolis, MN 55440. Phone: 888-373-6767 (Toll-free North America), or 001-763-544-3164 (International). FAX: 763-544-3213. www.bannerengineering.com e-Commerce: buybanneronline.com Email: sensors@baneng.com

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