There was a time when adding a robot to a manufacturing line meant losing floorspace to the robot enclosure and changing the workflow. Today, a new trend is underway – collaborative robotics. Collaborative robotic workcells are designed to permit direct interaction of human beings and robots. In this new paradigm, robots no longer lay claim […]
Crafting New Solutions for Brewers
Digital systems let brewer try more flavors, ramp up for hot sellers Intense competition in the brewing and distilling field is driving a significant digital transformation. Time-to-market is essential for craft brewers who need to capture consumer interest before their competition do. Craft breweries constantly refine and modify their recipes, so their brewing operations must […]
Integrating Holistic Safety Yields Major Benefits
Integrated safety for motor control centers demonstrates gains from overall architecture Safety has evolved beyond protecting workers, extending to factors that include an integrated, affirmative view of product safety and brand protection. Safeguarding hands/toes/backs remains a priority, but establishing a complete safety environment has become a de facto operating priority. Motor control centers (MCC) are […]
Safety Essentials: Hazardous Energy Control (LOTO)
Electrical, mechanical and chemical energy; high and low temperatures; high pressure; mechanical pinch points; even gravity and wind are some of the types of energy that challenge workers safety when doing their jobs. Basically any type of energy source can be dangerous to workers if not isolated and controlled properly. During systems or equipment maintenance, […]
Validation Helps Prove That Risks Have Been Effectively Addressed
Risk reduction processes can be shortened when diverse teams focus on verifying improvements throughout the design cycle. Risk assessment has become a critical aspect of most industrial design programs, so it’s a process that should be constantly reevaluated to improve effectiveness. One aspect of any review should include validation, a step that ensures the value […]
Input and Switching Components for Safety Circuits
Increases in awareness and technology are driving motor control towards safety oriented circuits. There are fundamental differences between control circuits and safety (fail-safe) circuits. Control circuits are all about turning loads On and Off as required, whereas a fail-safe circuit ensures that the load is in a safe state, or switched off, when a safety […]
The 10 Key Steps for Functional Safety
Follow these steps for validation of subsystems and components to reduce implementation-level complexity in your control systems. As we consider machine safety risk reduction and validation, here are the 10 key steps to follow in a functional safety process: 1. Identify hazard 2. Assess risk 3. Reduce risk 4. Establish safety requirements 5. Implement functional […]
New Tool Speeds Machine Safety Compliance Reporting
Learn how the online TÜV-tested Safety Evaluation Tool (SET) speeds users step-by-step through preparation of standard-compliant machine documentation. The Safety Evaluation Tool for IEC 62061 and ISO 13849-1 standards takes you directly to your goal. This TÜV-tested online tool supports the fast and reliable assessment of your machine’s safety functions. As a result, you’re provided […]
PLCs Do Heavy Lifting For Better, Safer Cranes
PaR Systems and CAMotion cranes gained new safety and efficiency using Siemens PLC-based platforms to reduce vibration, sway and other hard-to-control parameters. Cranes do the heavy lifting in a broad range of applications, hefting anything from raw materials to finished goods. Unfortunately, their work doesn’t come without danger – accidents that cause deaths and serious […]
Five Key Points toward Cybersecurity “Defense in Depth”
Best practices for mitigating cybersecurity threats, and how Security Integrated products can help you protect your systems, networks, and plants Globally, the number of network connections is exploding. In 2003, there was less than one connected device per person based on the world’s population; by 2020, the number will exceed seven per person! The trends […]
