Can a multiple-cell industrial machine have separate E-stops for each cell, each one red with yellow background?
SafetyMan says: Yes, as long as the cells are separated and each is appropriately guarded where access is not allowed from the e-stopped cell into a cell that is running.
Use of more than one Operator Control Station; Where a machine has more than one operator control station measures shall be taken to ensure that only one control station shall be enabled at a given time.
If you're familiar with this code, what does it really mean and how is it best applied? I have a machine line with 5 stations and I need to control the machine at any of the 5 stations. Do I have to lockout all stations but one and how do I switch stations?
SafetyMan Says:
It is not necessary to lock out the stations. One recommendation would be to use a supervisory control such as a key switch that enables the station when it needs to be in service. The key would be in your possession when you are not at the particular station.
A similar solution would be a password protected device, such as an HMI, allowing use of the system with perhaps a time out back to locked if the station is not used.
We've just posted a new video over at our YouTube Channel featuring Kanthal Heating Systems. This one is a case study that was done for Swedish speciality steel manufacturer SSAB. SSAB makes some pretty interesting product that is used in the heavy equipment industry (e.g. big buckets for mining equipment) (thanks to ssab.com for the image):
Kanthal was able to upgrade their old heating system to use our Tubothal elements and APM tubes (pictured):
Our proprietary APM material is able to handle far higher surface loading than a traditional NiCr or stainless tube, and as a result, we are able to design elements, such as Tubothal, that have a high power density for their size. Often times, we are able to increase production with fewer elements.
In terms of ROI, APM (especially its higher-strength brother APMT) has extremely low creep-rate and spalling characteristics as compared to traditional tubes, and coupled with our Tubothal elements, element and tube life are both extended significantly. PM is reduced, and element/tube usage are reduced, resulting in quick ROI and increased furnace uptime.
In the December 2005 issue of Metalforming Magazine, Paul Davis published an article on how to determine whether or not your particular application requires hard guarding or electronic guarding (e.g. a safety light curtain) towards the end of making your machine safe in the eyes of OSHA.
Specifically, Paul discusses how to address the OSHA mandate that requires the machine owner - or OEM - to design-out the hazard. Obviously, this is not always possible as the hazard may be the part of the machine that does the necessary work! Paul provides advice on how both old and new technology may be used to keep the operator safe while not inhibiting the primary function of the machine.
But of course, we are biased. Paul Davis Automation is proud to report that we are now the representatives for Spang Power in Ohio and parts of Kentucky. Spang is a well-known name in the world of power control. We are best known for our transformers and SCRs (wikipedia link explaining SCR technology), which are both used extensively in the heat treating and glass manufacturing industries.
Spang is headquartered in Mentor, OH, and produces the majority of their product in Sandy Lake, PA (although Mentor does have some manufacturing capacity as well). All of our product is built in the USA by Spang, which means our support is second-to-none.
In addition to transformers and SCRs, we do have quite an interesting rectifier business. For example, does your facility have an old overhead crane with a DC MGSet that is on its way to the pearly gates? Well, we happen to manufacture replacement MGSets for DC cranes. Of course, there is more to this side of the business than cranes. The bottom line is this: if you have a need for a DC or AC rectifier system, we can help.
Interested in learning more? Contact us to discuss how we can help with your power distribution and consumption needs through a variety of different means.
