Explore four flexible options for implementing functional safety
Choosing the right safety solution depends on your application, existing infrastructure, and how much integration work you want to do.
HMS offers four flexible solutions for implementing functional safety, each designed to suit different product architectures, team capabilities, and time-to-market goals. Here's how they compare:
1. Safe2Link Remote IO
The fastest and easiest way to add functional safe IOs.
A rugged, plug-and-play input/output (I/O) module that mounts directly on your machine for fast deployment of functional safety in mobile or industrial systems.
- A complete, IP54-rated remote I/O module.
- Safe communication of local safety I/Os via CIP Safety over EtherNet/IP.
- Includes advanced safety functions:
- SafeBound™ – Combines local and remote safety signals on-board, allowing devices to integrate multiple safety inputs (e.g., E-Stops, LiDAR) without additional logic.
- Safe Stop Category 1 (SS1-t) – Enables controlled ramp-down before full stop, improving safety and stability for moving machines.
- Certified to SIL3 / PLe.
- No custom integration needed = quick-time-to-market.
Best for: System integrators or mobile machine builders who need a fast, reliable way to add functional safety and safe communication of critical signals to their application.
Ideal applications: AGVs and AMRs where no local safety sensors are currently installed, or where existing safety sensors (e.g., safety scanners with OSSD output) need to be combined with a remote safe stop via a safety fieldbus network must be added with minimal modification – all with minimal modification. Also suitable for controlling mobile add-on equipment like robot arms or conveyors.
2. Safe2Link Pure IO
Embedded hardware with enhanced safety features.
Advanced safety I/O board for integration inside your device or machine.
- Includes advanced safety functions, SafeBound™ and SS1-t.
- Configurable dual-channel safe I/Os for core safety needs.
- Pre-certified for SIL3 / PLe.
- Built on the Anybus Black Channel for ready-to-use safety communication via CIP Safety and PROFIsafe.
Best for: OEMs building advanced mobile machines or logistics equipment needing enhanced safety functions in a compact, embedded format.
Ideal applications: AGVs/AMRs with safety devices such as bumpers, E-Stops, or laser scanners, where the outputs of these devices need to be processed to ensure safe control of the machine's movement. Also suitbale for AGVs/AMRs that require advanced safety features in an embedded, compact or custom-specific form factor.
3. T100 safety hardware
Embedded hardware with standard safety features
Safety I/O board with standard safety features for integration inside your device or machine.
- Uses the Anybus Black Channel for seamless integration via CIP Safety, PROFIsafe, and FSoE.
- Pre-certified to SIL3 / PLe.
Best for: Device manufacturers in factory automation who want a head start with hardware already built for safety.
Ideal applications: Factory automation devices, like nut-runners, welding, or gluing controllers, and safety doors that need standard safety I/Os in a compact, embedded format, ideal for adding remote stop or E-Stop capability with minimal effort.
4. Safety protocol software
For expert teams building a safety device from scratch
You build the hardware, we deliver the software, giving you the freedom to design and customize your safety solution.
- Portable and generic protocol software for integrating functional safety in applications up to SIL 3.
- Designed for device and PLC makers.
- Certified protocol stacks for CIP Safety and FSoE.
- Want to use the Anybus CompactCom as the communication interface for your safety project? Ask our experts about the black channel sample code available for CIP Safety, FSoE, and PROFIsafe
Best for: Teams with in-house expertise looking to integrate safety protocols directly into custom hardware designs.
Ideal applications: PLCs, servo drives, or sensors (e.g., encoders, LiDAR, radar) where full flexibility is needed for integrating safety protocols into existing hardware platforms.
Comparison table
| Safe2Link Remote IO | Safe2Link Pure IO | T100 Safety Hardware | Safety Protocol Software | |
Order coder | 1.01.0306.00001 | 1.01.0301.10004 | 1.01.0300.xxxxx (T100/PS) 1.01.0301.xxxxx (T100/CS) 1.01.0302.xxxxx (T100/FSoE) | 1.02.0501.xxxxx (CIP Safety) 1.02.0502.xxxxx (FSoE) |
| Supported protocols | CIP Safety on EtherNet/IP | CIP Safety (Black Channel UART) | PROFIsafe device CIP Safety target FSoE Sub-device | CIP Safety (Originator + Target) FSoE (Main + Sub-device) |
| Certification | Type-approved product Ready to use in safe applications | Pre-certified hardware Pre-certified safe communication and I/Os Re-certification of end device required | Pre-certified hardware Pre-certified safe communication and I/Os Re-certification of end device required | Pre-certified software |
| Standard safe I/Os | 3× Dual-channel safe input 1× Dual-channel safe output | 3× Dual-channel safe input 1× Dual-channel safe output | 3× Dual-channel safe input 1× Dual-channel safe output | None |
| Extended safe I/Os | SafeBound™, Configurable SS1-t, SS1-t output 2× Non-safe outputs | SafeBound™, Configurable SS1-t, Virtual SS1-t output | None | None |
| Communication interface | 2× M12 Ethernet | Black Channel UART | Black Channel UART | Software (runs on user HW) |
| Environment & integration | IP54-rated housing Power and signal via D-Sub 25 | Connector in-device required. Non-safe communication interface required | Connector in-device required. Non-safe communication interface required | Runs on customer safety hardware |
| Benefits | Least integration effort Fastest time-to-market | Form-factor flexibility of end-device during integration | Integration flexibility only limited by the fix number of safe IOs. | Full integration flexibility |
Comparison table: Compare technical capabilities, integration requirements, certifications.