A safety light curtain is a device that is commonly used in
industrial settings to protect workers from dangerous machinery. It works by
emitting an invisible beam of light across the area where a worker may be at
risk of injury. If the beam is interrupted, the machinery will automatically
stop, preventing any harm from coming to the worker. Safety light curtains have
become increasingly popular in recent years due to their effectiveness and ease
of use.
One of the main benefits of safety light curtains is that
they are very easy to install and use. They can be quickly mounted around a
piece of machinery, and there is no need to wire them into the machine's
electrical system. This makes them a cost-effective solution for many
businesses.
Another benefit of safety light curtains is their
flexibility. They can be used in a wide range of industrial applications, from
manufacturing to packaging to material handling. This versatility makes them an
ideal choice for companies that need to protect their workers from machinery in
a variety of settings.
Perhaps the most significant benefit of safety light
curtains is their effectiveness. They are very reliable and can quickly detect
when a worker is in danger. This means that workers can be confident that they
are protected from harm, even when working with hazardous machinery.
In conclusion, safety light curtains are an essential tool
for any business that uses dangerous machinery. They are easy to install,
flexible, and highly effective at protecting workers from harm. With their many
benefits, it's no wonder that safety light curtains have become so popular in
recent years. If you're looking to improve the safety of your workplace,
installing a safety light curtain is an excellent place to start.
Safety Light Curtain Market Dynamics
The safety light curtain market is influenced by various
factors, including the rise of digital platforms in manufacturing. The advent
of digital manufacturing has led to the increased adoption of automated
equipment and machinery, enabling manufacturing plants to operate round-the-clock.
The automated machines are controlled and managed by modern technologies like
distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and
supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. The implementation of
such technologies requires the installation of numerous sensors and components
to ensure efficient functioning.
The use of smart machines has also resulted in the increased
demand for security components. Since the machines operate automatically, an
efficient fail-safe mechanism is vital to ensure the safety of workers in the
plant. Manufacturing industries operate on a large scale and continuous basis,
without the need for human intervention. However, in cases where human
intervention is necessary, equipment should have a mechanism to detect human
presence and take preventive measures to prevent accidents.
Safety light curtains are integrated with sensors that
create an invisible barrier of beams. If the beam is breached, the sensors send
signals to the machine, causing it to shut down instantly. Hence, the adoption
of safety light curtains has increased with the rise of digital manufacturing,
driving the growth of the safety light curtain market.
Restraints in the
Safety Light Curtain Market
While safety light curtains are an effective
presence-sensing solution that quickly stops operating machinery when human
interference is detected, they may not protect individuals from secondary
hazards. In particular, safety light curtains are unable to safeguard against flying
debris, sparks, splashes, smoke, or flashes often associated with robotic
welding. These secondary hazards can result in severe injuries, including skin
burns, respiratory problems, and even permanent blindness. The safety light
curtains' inability to prevent such hazards is expected to limit the growth of
the safety light curtain market. Despite being useful in detecting human
presence, safety light curtains alone may not be sufficient to provide
comprehensive safety measures in certain manufacturing environments.
Opportunities in
Safety Light Curtain Market
The emergence of industrial growth in various parts of the
world, including the rapidly developing economies in Asia Pacific, presents
significant opportunities for the safety light curtain market. In this region,
countries such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Indonesia
have been expanding their manufacturing output, leading to the establishment of
numerous manufacturing plants. As multinational companies continue to invest in
the region and adopt high safety standards, the safety light curtain market is
poised for growth.
For instance, Lenovo Group Limited has established two
factories in India, with plans to increase the value added from its operations
to 100% within the next five years. Apple has also set up manufacturing plants
in Bengaluru, India, while Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) intends to
invest USD 5 billion in India. Additionally, Airbus, a multinational aerospace
and defense company, fully automated its solar array production in 2021 by
deploying robots at its facility in Germany. The company has invested more than
USD 16.9 million in the facility, which serves as a showcase for its Industry
4.0 manufacturing line.
These investments are expected to drive the manufacturing
market in Asia Pacific, particularly in India, and create significant
opportunities for the growth of the safety light curtain market. With
multinational companies setting up operations and adopting high safety
standards, the demand for safety light curtains is expected to increase in the
region, making it an attractive market for players in the industry.
Challenges in Safety
Light Curtain Market
One of the challenges facing the safety light curtain market
is the limited awareness among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
regarding the benefits of safety light curtains. SMEs typically use
semi-automatic machinery and may not be familiar with the operational
efficiency and high productivity of safety light curtains. Additionally, SMEs
face intense competition from larger enterprises, and to gain a competitive
edge, they are slowly transitioning towards Industry 4.0, which provides
optimization, efficiency, flexibility, scalability, and predictive maintenance.
Despite being the backbone of the economy, SMEs face
numerous challenges in scaling operations and attracting investors.
Furthermore, they often lack the technical expertise to implement innovative
technologies and the necessary capital to invest in automation. These factors
present obstacles for SMEs in adopting safety light curtains in their
manufacturing processes. However, in recent years, many businesses have
recognized the value of safety light curtains. Major players in the safety
light curtain market are encouraging manufacturing firms, including SMEs, to
adopt budget-friendly and compact safety light curtains. These curtains provide
improved safety management, reduced downtime, and lower security costs.
During the forecast period of 2022 to 2027, the automotive
industry is expected to be the dominant market for safety light curtains, with
a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The increasing global
population has led to a rise in demand for automobiles, thereby driving growth
in the automotive industry. As automobile manufacturing plants use man-machine
systems such as conveyor machines, robotic arms, welding machines, and press
machines, the implementation of proper safety standards and equipment is
critical to ensuring worker safety and preventing accidents. Safety light
curtains are commonly installed in these plants to protect workers and prevent
mishaps, particularly during assembly, pressing, and material handling
operations, which is contributing to the growth of the safety light curtain
market.
Furthermore, the robotics segment of the safety light
curtain market is expected to register the fastest growth during the forecast
period, with a significant CAGR. The increasing deployment of robots in various
industries, such as automotive, semiconductor & electronics, and food &
beverage, is propelling the segment's growth. Additionally, the strict safety
regulations associated with robot deployment in workplaces are driving the
demand for safety light curtains. For example, the Occupational Health and
Safety Act (OHSA) by the US Department of Labor provides safety requirements
for industrial robot users to ensure occupational safety, including safety
considerations necessary for the proper operation of fixed industrial robots
and robot systems with other peripheral equipment.
During the forecast period, the 25-90 mm resolution segment
of the safety light curtain market is projected to experience the highest
compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Safety light curtains with this resolution
range are utilized for hand and arm detection in both type 2 and 4 safety light
curtains. The growing demand for safety light curtains with this resolution in
developing countries' automotive and healthcare industries is propelling the
market's growth.
Throughout the forecast period, Asia Pacific is predicted to
hold the largest share of the safety light curtain market. As a manufacturing
hub, the region has attracted significant investment from major automobile
suppliers such as Toyota, Volkswagen, and Daimler, as well as local
manufacturers such as Hyundai Motors and Tata Motors. Due to its low
operational costs, numerous manufacturers from various industries have
relocated their manufacturing plants to Asia Pacific. The increasing adoption
of automation in the process and discrete industries is expected to be one of
the primary drivers of the safety light curtain market's growth in Asia
Pacific.
Key players in the Safety Light Curtain Market
- OMRON
- KEYENCE
- SICK
- ROCKWELL AUTOMATION
- PANASONIC
- SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
- DATALOGIC
- PEPPERL+FUCHS
- BANNER ENGINEERING
- LEUZE ELECTRONIC
- WENGLOR SENSORIC
- BALLUFF
- ABB
- EUCHNER
- REER
- IDEC
- PLIZ
- SMARTSCAN
- ROCKFORD SYSTEMS
- ORBITAL SYSTEMS
- PINNACLE SYSTEMS
- CONTRINEX
- SCHMERSAL
- IFM ELECTRONIC
- HTM SENSORS
Recent Developments in Safety Light Curtain Market
Recent advancements in the safety light curtain market have
brought about new and innovative technologies to enhance the safety of machine
designs. Leuze Electronic, a German-based company, released the ELC 100 safety
light curtains in May 2022, which offer optoelectronic safety technology at an
affordable cost. These tools are designed to be simple to install and
integrate, which helps make machine designs more affordable. The ELC 100 safety
light curtains offer close safety distances and are ideal for applications with
operating ranges of up to six meters, providing cost-effective contactless
protection for operational points.
In February 2022, Banner Engineering, a US-based company,
introduced new IP65-rated light curtains to its EZ-Screen LS-S series, ranging
from 7 to 8 feet. These light curtains have a detection range of 10 meters,
making them suitable for wide area protection in manufacturing, material
handling, and packing applications. Additionally, they include dual-scan
technology that safeguards the sensor against electromagnetic interference
(EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), ambient light, welding flashes, and
strobe lights.
In March 2021, Datalogic acquired M.D. Micro Detectors
(M.D.) with the objective of establishing the largest Italian center for
industrial automation. By utilizing synergies between various products of both
companies, including sensors, safety products, and vision systems, Datalogic
aims to expand its presence in the global market. The acquisition of M.D. Micro
Detectors is expected to further strengthen Datalogic's position in the
industrial automation sector.
The Safety Light Curtain Market is a growing industry that
produces light curtains used for safety purposes in industrial settings. Light
curtains are used to detect the presence of people or objects and to prevent
accidents by stopping machines or equipment when someone or something is in the
way.
Recent developments in the Safety Light Curtain Market have
focused on improving the accuracy and reliability of these devices. One major
trend is the integration of advanced sensors and software that can detect and
analyze complex movements and patterns. This allows light curtains to be used
in more complex applications and environments, such as in robotic work cells
where multiple machines are working in close proximity to each other.
Another trend is the development of smaller, more compact
light curtains that can be easily installed in tight spaces. These devices are
designed to be highly versatile and adaptable to a wide range of applications,
making them ideal for use in a variety of industrial settings.
In addition, there has been a growing demand for safety
light curtains that are capable of providing real-time monitoring and feedback.
This is achieved through the use of advanced communication technologies such as
Ethernet, which allows light curtains to be integrated into larger safety systems
that can be remotely monitored and controlled.
Overall, the Safety Light Curtain Market is expected to
continue growing as companies look for new and innovative ways to improve
safety in their operations. With the integration of advanced sensors and
software, as well as the development of more compact and versatile devices,
safety light curtains are becoming an increasingly important tool for
industrial safety.
1.
Research Sources
We at Zettabyte Analytics have a
detailed and related research methodology focussed on estimating the market
size and forecasted value for the given market. Comprehensive research
objectives and scope were obtained through secondary research of the parent and
peer markets. The next step was to validate our research by various market
models and primary research. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were
employed to estimate the market. In addition to all the research reports, data
triangulation is one of the procedures used to evaluate the market size of
segments and sub-segments.
Research Methodology

1.1. Secondary Research
The secondary research study involves various sources and databases used
to analyze and collect information for the market-oriented survey of a specific
market. We use multiple databases for our exhaustive secondary research, such
as Factiva, Dun & Bradstreet, Bloomberg, Research article, Annual reports,
Press Release, and SEC filings of significant companies. Apart from this, a
dedicated set of teams continuously extracts data of key industry players and
makes an extensive and unique segmentation related to the latest market
development.
1.2. Primary Research
The primary research includes gathering data from specific domain
experts through a detailed questionnaire, emails, telephonic interviews, and
web-based surveys. The primary interviewees for this study include an expert
from the demand and supply side, such as CEOs, VPs, directors, sales heads, and
marketing managers of tire 1,2, and 3 companies across the globe.
1.3. Data Triangulation
The data triangulation is very important for any market study, thus we
at Zettabyte Analytics focus on at least three sources to ensure a high level
of accuracy. The data is triangulated by studying various factors and trends
from both supply and demand side. All the reports published and stored in our
repository follows a detailed process to obtain a reliable insight for our
clients.
1.4. In-House Verification
To validate the segmentation
and verify the data collected, our market expert ensures whether our research
analyst is considering fine distinction before analyzing the market.
1.5. Reporting
In the end,
presenting our research reports complied in a different format for straightforward
valuation such as ppt, pdf, and excel data pack is done.