Press reports

Safe development process by KW-Software certified according to IEC 61508.

KW-Software GmbH offers safe software components for the field of control and safety technology, from parameterization to programming. These have already been certified by TÜV Rheinland (technical inspection authority). The components can be used in safety-focussed systems according to IEC 61508 up to SIL 3.

The acceptance of programmable safety functions in the automation technology is continuously increasing. The development effort of a safety control, however, is significantly higher due to standards like the IEC 61508 and the required certification, compared to a non-safe PLC. The use of already certified software components can contribute to a much easier realization of safety controls or safe drive functions.
KW-Software has proven the know-how for the development of safe software by certification of the development process according to IEC 61508 at TÜV Rheinland.

SAFEPROG is the safe IEC 61131 programming system for the creation of safe applications using the languages LD and FBD. SAFEPROG fulfills the safety requirements in particular due to error-detecting features in the safety-relevant editors and configuration dialogs.

SafeOS consists of two redundant IEC 61131 PLC runtime systems and thus forms the basis for the safety control. The code which has been created diversified by SAFEPROG is executed parallel by both systems. Via open interfaces, manufacturer- and bus-specific components can easily be integrated into the programming system and the runtime system, without having to modify the kernel system.

For smaller safe PLCs or safe drive controls, parameterization or configuration tasks can be performed using a safe device parameterization tool. This control is also available as standalone component. The set of parameters is generated in a safe way on the PC and can then be downloaded to the target system via each common communication path. Thanks to an innovative solution by KW-Software, the user must no longer read back and explicitly acknowledge these parameters.

By using the safe KW-Software components when developing safe control systems, development efforts are greatly reduced and the certification process is considerably simplified.