Engineering Articles

The Sprint 300MP can be specified with or without a control system, the latter offering variations of speed, power and cycle time.

Sara has released the Sprint 300MP safety door for machine protection purposes.

This innovation is suitable protection for welding environments, milling machines, robots, cutting and painting systems, production lines and safety fences.

It is constructed of aluminium with integrated safety switches.

The door is simple in design and practical to install adjacent to machinery, with pressure-resistant curtains which deflect dust and noise.

The curtains are available in varied designs and colours, while allowing ample viewing areas if required.

An electric self-testing safety edge and a doorline photocell prevent closure when the door obstructed.

The Sprint 300MP can be specified with or without a control system, the latter offering variations of speed, power and cycle time.

In the event of power failure the door can be opened manually.

PCL is committed to educating motorists about why tyre maintenance is vital to road safety, while developing new products and services to make this easier.

Tyre inflation expert PCL has called for urgent legalisation on correct tyre pressure and a drive for first-class maintenance of equipment in its crusade to raise public awareness of the dangers of inaccurate inflation.

PCL’s latest step in its ongoing campaign follows a damning report published in motoring magazine Auto Express, detailing a survey it carried out in conjunction with the RAC.

The article revealed that out of 80 petrol forecourts checked, 39 had inflators which did not provide accurate inflation pressures, with 19% of them out of order.

The Sunday Mirror also ran a story on the report stating that 40% of tyre gauges at petrol stations are faulty: “either broken or giving out wrong readings”, warning that there were almost 1000 accidents and 43 people killed in 2006 as a direct result of wrongly-inflated tyres.

PCL’s “made in Sheffield” products are a familiar sight in garage forecourts, tyre shops and engineering workshops throughout the UK.

As a world-leading provider of high quality, reliable and cost-effective equipment for fast and accurate tyre inflation, PCL is committed to educating motorists about why tyre maintenance is vital to road safety, while developing new products and services to make this easier.

Last year PCL became the first non-tyre company or retailer to join Tyresafe, a not for profit, noncommercial organisation set up to keep drivers safe.

Therefore these reports have highlighted an issue that PCL is determined to keep in the public spotlight and is actively working to solve.

The shocking results of spot-checks carried out during the AutoExpress survey, revealed that many motorists admitted to failing to check their tyre pressures for over a year.

Add this to the fact that more than a third had at least one tyre inaccurately inflated by 50% or more, and PCL Director Simon Shorter felt compelled to speak out.

He said: “Drivers’ lives, and those of their passengers, are reliant on the condition of their tyres, and as supplier of tyre inflation equipment we feel it is PCL’s duty to provide reminders and advice about tyre inflation and why it is critical to road safety”.

“There is an old saying that ‘a workman is only as good as his tools’, and there is a good degree of truth in it, which is why we manufacture our products to the highest quality standards, focusing on accuracy, safety and reliability”.

“We would also recommend that the highest specification of equipment is used on petrol forecourts to avoid the risk of usage errors from a nonprofessional user base”.

“This is a contributory factor in the move to electronic forecourt products with PCL’s Accura range”.

“However, it remains crucial that the equipment is well-maintained to accurate levels of factory calibrations in order for them to do the job correctly over a sustained period of time, and we cannot stress enough the importance of having the systems regularly serviced”.

“We also want to make the public aware that not only do correct tyre pressures reduce accidents but they also reduce tyre wear and fuel consumption - saving money and protecting the environment”.

“Indeed the subject of correct tyre pressure is a core part of the Government’s CO2 campaign”.

“In order to make people sit up and take notice we feel that legislation is needed to ensure that these issues are addressed”.

“Therefore we are committed to driving the message home to the public, forecourt managers, and all those concerned with tyres - not to mention the Government - that accurate tyre pressure is of the utmost importance and maintenance is absolutely critical to achieving this”.

“Tyre gauges should be treated with respect, after all our lives depend on them”.

A voltage indicator is a permanently wired ‘voltmeter’ that provides electricians with a full-time, visual, independent, thru-door power indication.

Near-death experiences among paper mill electricians are all too common, prompting one paper mill to use voltage indicators (VIs) to enhance its electrical safety programme.

Electrical safety boils down to a single question: “voltage or no voltage?”.

Electricians rely on a voltmeter to provide the right answer and there is no room for error.

Wiring a VI to the primary power source provides an answer to the voltage question.

This pushbutton-sized device is a permanently wired ‘voltmeter’ that provides electricians with a full-time, visual, independent, thru-door power indication.

A VI serves has a single purpose: to indicate the presence of hazardous voltage.

In the past, the mill used neon pilot lights installed on electrical mains.

A neon indicator’s intensity provided limited indication of voltage levels and this simple ‘voltage indicator’ still needed fuses and replacement bulbs.

After seeing the safety benefits of thru-door voltage indicators, the paper mill built a neon indicating light assembly with access holes that electricians used to verify zero energy after opening the disconnect.

They installed these on 208V lighting panels.

A single 30mm pushbutton-sized VI overcame the limitations of the neon pilot light assembly.

This three-phase device operates at 40-750V AC or 30-1000V DC, requires no fuses, uses long-life LEDs, redundant circuitry and potted construction for high reliability.

In addition, it was low cost and very easy to install.

The mill maintenance manager began installing a few units into high-maintenance areas of the plant.

As the days went on, the mill maintenance staff began to see the benefits of this simple, reliable device and started installing them throughout the plant.

Increasingly stringent safety requirements demanded by OSHA forced the mill to add a voltage verification step to its mechanical lock-out tag-out procedure (LOTO).

Mechanics needed to have an electrician verify a ‘zero voltage’ state on the load side of their circuit breaker disconnects before performing equipment maintenance.

This added work and downtime would increase costs of the paper mill’s scheduled shutdowns.

The solution was to use a thru door VI as a substitute “electrician” for this zero voltage checking step.

Operating the isolator and seeing a real voltage feedback from a VI provides a secondary indication that the electrical energy has been pre-verified as isolated.

Moreover, for a critical failure to occur both devices would have to fail at the same time

A Euchner EKS system has been integrated into each of six process terminals for soap production at the Hirtler company.

The electronic key system (EKS) equipment from Euchner UK provides secure user identification without the use of passwords and has been used successfully in harsh industrial environments, including machine guarding, with widespread use in the automotive industry.

Applications for monitoring complex process operations involving multioperator access are now becoming more common.

A Euchner EKS system has been integrated into each of six process terminals for soap production at the Hirtler company.

Dedicated electronic keys have been issued to all system users, enabling selected access rights to each individual while maintaining authorised conditions for critical process chain parameters.

The soap manufacturing process at Hirtler is highly automated and comprises a large number of separate processes.

The requirement was that not all employees in the different process areas should have complete access to all process data.

Due to networking of individual servers, it was important to only give employees access rights to process control systems for their related job functions at individual locations.

The monitoring of all process data is, in principle, possible with the EKS, but can be reduced to the area in which a specific operator works.

Error messages and process chain malfunctions related to a production segment are identified for appropriate operators, with all changes saved and fully traceable to relevant employees.

Key management can be undertaken on-site or remotely via a separate PC workstation.

At Hirtler Ethernet data exchange between clients and EKS electronic key adapters can also be performed in production areas connected to the server, currently limited to 20 defined access rights but with the possibility of future expansion.

EKS comprises two components: an electronic key and the matching electronic key adapter.

The electronic key, in the form of a robust tag, contains a memory chip and an antenna.

This is a transponder without a battery that transmits its information inductively and therefore without contact, to evaluation electronics in the electronic key adapter.

Balluff, internationally known for the latest sensor technology have completed their safety range by including category 2 and 4 photoelectric guards from Safety Controls.

Balluff has released Category 2 and 4 photoelectric guards from Safety Controls.

The Alfa 2, Alfa 4 and Linesmart have been developed by Safety Controls for applications where space is a problem, as well as wet applications where only an IP69 or IP67 protection rating is allowed.

The self-testing Alfa 2 photoelectric guard can be used where there are Safety Category 2 requirements.

The Alfa 2 is available in 30, 80mm and multibeam resolutions and boasts self monitoring, EDM, blanking and cascadable options.

IP69K versions are available for extreme applications.

The Alfa 4 offers high performance for the Category 4 requirements.

The vast variety of functions, especially muting and cyclic operations are available without additional devices.

The Alfa 4 is available in 14, 30mm and multibeam resolutions with floating/blanking, EDM, beam coding, cascadable options and an IP67 protection rating as standard.

The closed sensor profile provides optimal protection under extreme mechanical stress and can be used in applications including material handling, automotive and food/pharmaceutical.

Linesmart is one of smallest Category 4 light guards in the world.

The profile is 12 x 20mm and has an external control box with built in safety relays.

Available in 14 and 30mm resolutions, the 14mm model has no dead zone an is therefore suitable for applications where space is at a premium.

When used with the protective housing made of V2A steel, the guard has an IP67 protection rating, making it suitable for wet areas and food processing applications.

Allen-Bradley Bulletin 194 series isolating switches combine flexibility and quality in an attractive, compact design.

Rockwell Automation is offering a free isolator switch for engineers to try in any suitable application.

The company promises that there are no strings or catches to the offer, just a superior quality switch that can be used to improve the finish on any panel.

Allen-Bradley Bulletin 194 series isolating switches combine flexibility and quality in an attractive, compact design.

Each device can be extended by the use of snap-on neutral and earth terminals, as well as additional poles and auxiliary contacts.

A range of 11 attractive operating handles improve the appearance of any installation and innovative design features, such as parallel drive mechanism, offers class-leading versatility.

The Bulletin 194 series offers state-of-the-art solutions for virtually all applications, including inductive loads such as solenoids, actuators, valves and motors.

VS units from Fortress monitor the voltage on the windings of the machine’s motor, in addition to any shorts or open circuits and grant access only when it is safe to do so.

Fortress Interlocks has extended its range of mGard trapped key safety interlocks by introducing a range of voltage switching units that prevent the removal of a gate access key whilst a machine is in motion.

Voltages on a machine are generated even if the power has been switched off and the machine is in its run-down cycle.

The VS units from Fortress monitor the voltage on the windings of the machine’s motor, in addition to any shorts or open circuits and grant access only when it is safe to do so.

The system offers significant time savings by reducing machine down-time to an absolute minimum whilst providing maximum safety.

Such a process is far more efficient than a fixed timer system, particularly if the machine has a variable run-down period.

Once released, the access key can be used on a range of complementary products in the mGard range to open a single door or release multiple keys for larger installations.

The mGard range consists of robust modular units which control access to enclosed areas.

Available in one to ten module versions, Fortress offers a sequencing system with up to 39,000 different sequences in a ten-module arrangement.

The flexibility of the mGard modular units means that a huge variety of applications can be catered for.

Tested to over 1,000,000 operations, they require minimal maintenance.

Sophisticated electronic circuitry and matching piezo driver combine to produce a very effective sound that mimics that of the traditional design.

The mechanical horn is reborn, according to European Safety Systems, with the release of the GPH general purpose horn.

The new device offers a high-reliability long-life electronic alternative to electromechanical warning devices.

The sophisticated electronic circuitry and matching piezo driver combine to produce a very effective sound that mimics that of the traditional design and makes it ideal for use in areas with high ambient noise.

In addition to the conventional pulsing output, the GPH generates two alternative warning tones, giving the installer or machine builder much greater flexibility in providing an effective warning signal.

The GPH operates from 24V DC, 115 or 230V AC, is continuously rated and offers long operational life as there are no moving parts, diaphragms or contacts to wear out.

Manufactured from high grade, fire resistant polycarbonate, the CE and UL approved GPH has the option of surface or flush mounting and is protected to IP66 (UL Type 4/4X/13) when used with the weatherproof back box, making it suitable for use outdoors and in harsh environments.

Two M20 cable glands simplify installation.

This novel design is ideally suited for process control alarm, moving machinery and general industrial signalling, and complements the existing E2S range of “electronic” sirens, bells and buzzers.

Mechan have bought Staffordshire-based Nirvana Engineering, a company that manufactures racking for the reserve battery power industry.

Mechan Controls has expanded its range and geographic reach with the GBP1 million acquisition of a Midlands-based business, supported by NatWest.

Mechan have bought Staffordshire-based Nirvana Engineering, a company that manufactures racking for the reserve battery power industry.

The acquisition is part of Mechan’s strategy to grow its business by diversifying into new sectors and geographic areas within the safety/high-tech arena.

The deal boosts Mechan’s turnover from just under GBP1 million to nearly GBP3 million and provides the company with the opportunity to expand its presence in the safety/security products market.

Mechan was established in 1973 to design and manufacture electronic safety switches that can survive in the harshest industrial environments.

The switches are designed to safeguard workers from injury by stopping a machine from operating and are activated either automatically or by human intervention.

Mechan’s products are used by clients worldwide including Honeywell Inc, Mars, Nestle and Heinz.

Nirvana Engineering manufactures racking for the reserve battery power industry and its products range from standard racking to bespoke products designed to be used offshore or in harsh environments.

Established in 1981, Nirvana’s products are typically used on sites that require battery power back up such as oil rigs, power stations and hospitals.

Wilf Boardman, Managing Director of Mechan Controls, said “Our strategy is to grow the business organically and also by acquiring well-established companies operating in complementary markets”.

“Nirvana Engineering fits this criteria and the acquisition gives us the scope to move into a different area of the safety/security market both in terms of the product and the geographic areas covered”.

Paul Thomas and Paul Thompson from NatWest provided Mechan with the funding to complete the acquisition.

Compact heavy-duty bolt-lock is suitable for fail-safe or fail-secure applications and is equipped with a manual override.

Magnet Schultz will launch its new Electric Bolt-lock on Stand 4045 at the forthcoming IFSEC 2008.

The new lock is claimed to provide the ultimate in high security control for a spectrum of applications including goods lifts, hoists, security gates and other slam-lock applications.

The robust, antitamper construction has been designed for high performance and weatherproofed for outdoor use.

The compact, heavy-duty bolt-lock is suitable for fail-safe or fail-secure applications and is equipped with a manual override, which is operated with a Euro-key.

Available for a range of supply voltages, the Electric Bolt-lock is fitted with a positive break or snap-action bolt position switch and can be front or base mounted.

Magnet Schultz will also be exhibiting a range of other magnets and solenoids specifically manufactured for the security market including its new ATEX Lock Units, which are suitable for security doors and equipment used in Zone1 areas.

Manufactured to a highly robust design, the ATEX Lock Units are also suitable for slam-lock, fail-safe or fail secure applications and are quickly and easily retrofitted.

Other new products include Magnet Schultz Gate Lock.

Suitable for large hinged and sliding gates, the Gate Lock has a robust, weatherproof construction, which can be retrofitted.