Part 2 of a 2-part series. A practical look at how normally closed (NC) power contacts and feedback can drive loads toward a defined safe state under real‑world faults.
Part 2 of a 2-part series. A practical look at how normally closed (NC) power contacts and feedback can drive loads toward a defined safe state under real‑world faults.
Part 1 of a 2-part series. A practical look at the failures that plague motor drive systems, even those that are rated to…
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.
A practical, experience-driven guide to designing and wiring electrical cabinets for machine-tending robotic cells.
A practical, experience-driven guide to designing and wiring electrical cabinets for machine-tending robotic cells.
IO-Link technology keeps improving, and with the recent introduction of Safe IO-Link, the automation world is going to…
IO-Link technology keeps improving, and with the recent introduction of Safe IO-Link, the automation world is going to get a whole lot more modular.
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.
Embedded, modular, panel mount, distributed, machine mount, and remote, oh my! What does it all mean, and how are you…
Embedded, modular, panel mount, distributed, machine mount, and remote, oh my! What does it all mean, and how are you supposed to know which one to choose for your application?
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.
Have you ever heard of a relay? Of course you have. There are many different kinds, plus hundreds of different trade…
Have you ever heard of a relay? Of course you have. There are many different kinds, plus hundreds of different trade lingo names. What are some of the most common, and how do we use them?
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?
Protecting equipment and personnel from overcurrent dangers, like sparks and fires, is the primary job of the humble…
Protecting equipment and personnel from overcurrent dangers, like sparks and fires, is the primary job of the humble fuse, one of the most basic, yet critical of all safety devices.
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