Part 1 of a 2-part series. A practical look at the failures that plague motor drive systems, even those that are rated to be fail-safe.
Part 1 of a 2-part series. A practical look at the failures that plague motor drive systems, even those that are rated to be fail-safe.
Learn how to align and configure the parameters of a light curtain using a send/receive pair of SICK deTec4 light beam…
Learn how to align and configure the parameters of a light curtain using a send/receive pair of SICK deTec4 light beam curtains and the new DCM4 extension module for advanced operating modes.
Some safety applications aren’t a simple on/off at all times; they need objects to pass through a light curtain without…
Some safety applications aren’t a simple on/off at all times; they need objects to pass through a light curtain without stopping the machine. For these, we turn to muting and blanking features.
Learn about safety light curtains: which one will fit your application, how to choose the proper size, and how to…
Learn about safety light curtains: which one will fit your application, how to choose the proper size, and how to properly process the output signals.
Learn how to integrate fail-safe logic and explosion-proof design to keep your processes running safely and smoothly.
Learn how to integrate fail-safe logic and explosion-proof design to keep your processes running safely and smoothly.
Learn how to assess risks and determine SIL by understanding operator actions as initiating events, independent…
Learn how to assess risks and determine SIL by understanding operator actions as initiating events, independent protection layers, or a part of the safety instrumented function loop.
Tackling some of the world's most hostile environments with real-time data. That’s the mission of Septilink, supported…
Tackling some of the world's most hostile environments with real-time data. That’s the mission of Septilink, supported by WAGO, in this prime example of predicting failures to avert disaster.
Managing the climate inside a building is critical for both people and infrastructure. Managing the climate is the job of…
Managing the climate inside a building is critical for both people and infrastructure. Managing the climate is the job of HVAC control systems, but what’s inside an HVAC system, and how do they work?
Learn about force control in robots and what sets it apart from typical point-to-point programming. This feedback method…
Learn about force control in robots and what sets it apart from typical point-to-point programming. This feedback method can overcome many small irregularities in manufacturing processes.
When the blinking lights on automation devices stop blinking, the control cabinet is often the go-to troubleshooting…
When the blinking lights on automation devices stop blinking, the control cabinet is often the go-to troubleshooting culprit, but how do you make the best judgments for quickly locating the problem?
The purpose of LOTO is to create a method of reducing the chance that a worker will be exposed to hazardous energy.…
The purpose of LOTO is to create a method of reducing the chance that a worker will be exposed to hazardous energy. It’s important for companies to establish an SOP for standardized LOTO practice.
The choice to ground or float a power supply is not always clear in the NEC. This article explains floating or fixing a…
The choice to ground or float a power supply is not always clear in the NEC. This article explains floating or fixing a DC supply with respect to ground and how circuits can be functionally constructed both ways.
Compressed air is a common economical way of adding motion to your automated equipment, but the air needs to be filtered,…
Compressed air is a common economical way of adding motion to your automated equipment, but the air needs to be filtered, regulated, and sometimes lubricated. The air prep unit does all that and more.
Even though electrical safety practices have existed for over a century, arc flash safety has only gained traction in…
Even though electrical safety practices have existed for over a century, arc flash safety has only gained traction in recent decades. This article discusses the danger and prevention of arc flash injury.
The simple tasks can lead to the most failures. Basic practices in the wiring assembly stages of a project can lead to…
The simple tasks can lead to the most failures. Basic practices in the wiring assembly stages of a project can lead to long-term success or haunting tales of intermittent yet persistent failures.
Electrical grounding is used to accomplish several different tasks, but none more important than for the safety of users…
Electrical grounding is used to accomplish several different tasks, but none more important than for the safety of users and equipment while maintaining strict adherence to regulations.
Do you know enough about electricity to poke around in a conversation, but not inside a breaker panel? Read on for an…
Do you know enough about electricity to poke around in a conversation, but not inside a breaker panel? Read on for an introduction to electricity in a way you’ve (probably) never heard it before!
This article investigates the basic qualities that make up a safety PLC, what distinguishes a safety PLC from a standard…
This article investigates the basic qualities that make up a safety PLC, what distinguishes a safety PLC from a standard model, and the reasons for which a safety PLC may be critical.
Learn about FANUC’s Dual Check Safety (DCS) system and the various methods, how to configure the DCS parameters, and…
Learn about FANUC’s Dual Check Safety (DCS) system and the various methods, how to configure the DCS parameters, and how to avoid and resolve issues associated with DCS positional alarms.
Safety devices have two main purposes, both of them meant for (you guessed it) safety. They protect both machine and…
Safety devices have two main purposes, both of them meant for (you guessed it) safety. They protect both machine and operator from harm. But what’s inside, and how do these switches work?
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