R+T 2009 Messezeitung 4

Hintergrund /

Background

D R A H T L O S E S S I C H E R H E I T S S Y S T E M F Ü R I N D U S T R I E T O R E

W I R E L E S S S A F E T Y S Y S T E M F O R I N D U S T R I A L D O O R S

HALL 6 / STAND A 81

voltage. The latter are identi-

fied with the mark SMI LoVol

(low voltage). A data sheet is

available for every product

from the Internet site of the

SMI Working Group for quick

orientation.

Good cooperation in

the SMI Group

All-in-all, 20 companies sup-

port the joint project of stand-

ration is characterised by re-

spect and trust even among

competitors.

SMI at the top fair

R+T 2009

Seven companies in the SMI

Group are exhibiting SMI

products at the top fair R+T

2009: Agero AG, Alcatel-

Lucent Deutschland AG,

BECKER Antriebe GmbH,

The information exchange

between a control mecha-

nism and the roller shutter

or sun protection drive is

laid down in the SMI speci-

fication. As a result, the ex-

change of commands to and

reports from the drive by

means of telegrams is clearly

regulated. This specification

was developed by engineers

of the member companies

in a practical manner. This

standardisation is extremely

advantageous for the manu-

facturers of SMI drives and

SMI controls. They can rely

on flawless functioning even

if the counterpart was not

supplied by the same com-

pany. SMI drives and SMI

controls have high quality

characteristics and offer at-

tractive customer advantag-

es. Precise positioning and

reports from drive are only

two examples from a wide

range of new characteristics

and functions.

Practical experience

How has the SMI interface

turned out? For the last three

years new projects have

been constantly put into op-

eration with SMI drives and

SMI controls. Initially, smaller

projects were realised and

last year several major ones

ranging from an administra-

tion building to a prestigious

opera house. The STAND-

ARD MOTOR INTERFACE

has also passed the practi-

cal test in major projects.

Manufacturers,

planners

and customers can rely on

this experience. What is dif-

ferent when it comes to the

planning of a roller shutter

or sun protection system? In

the case of projects with SMI

products a lot remains the

same in planning, but some

new features must be borne

in mind. Provision must be

made for 5-pin cables for the

power supply and the ad-

dressing of the drives, for ex-

ample. Due to the integrated

decoupling, the drives can be

parallel switched as well. The

latter produces advantages

in cable laying, not least due

to the much lower fire risk. To

support the planning proc-

ess the SMI Working Group

has developed checklists for

manufacturers and planners

and made these available on

the Internet. The question of

responsibility for the overall

system is often raised if the

beam system and automa-

tion products are not sup-

plied by the same company.

A lot of attention was devot-

ed to this aspect during the

development of the SMI in-

terface. The certification and

registration of SMI products

is an important element for

ensuring compatibility. Only

certified drives and controls

are entitled to bear the SMI

mark. Another element is the

clarification of responsibil-

ity on the one hand for the

flawless function of the beam

products and on the other for

the automation. The concept

of the SMI supports the divi-

sion of tasks and responsibil-

ity.

Diversity of SMI

products

By the end of 2008 a total

of 29 different products had

been certified and registered

with the SMI interface. They

may bear the SMI logo. There

are drives and controls for

external sun protection with

mains voltage 230 VAC, but

also those for interior sun

protection with 24 VDC low

The SMI Working Group can look back on seven years of successful

collaboration. From the vision until the establishment of reliable products

the STANDARD MOTOR INTERFACE came into being in a continuous

development process (see box). Important reference projects in Germany

and abroad are today a confirmation for the joint efforts. The technology

of roller shutter and sun protection automation also underwent a further

major step in development as a result of SMI.

20 Firmen unterstützen das gemeinsame Vorhaben der SMI-Group. /

Twenty companies support the joint project of the SMI Group

ardisation. They are united as

SMI members, SMI partners

or SMI supporters in the SMI

Group. Aspects of marketing

or technology are treated in

working groups. An external

office looks after the admin-

istration, information me-

diation and representation of

interests. The good collabo-

elero GmbH, Selve GmbH &

Co. KG, Vestamatic GmbH

and WAREMA Renkhoff

GmbH. As a result, the event

is an outstanding opportunity

to meet the specialists and

acquire information.

Otmar Stillhard