Latest Safety Devices Technical Articles

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Identifying and Troubleshooting Pressure Changes in Fluid Systems

Pressures are always rising and falling in fluid systems. Sometimes the changes are extreme and lead to damage. What causes problematic pressure changes, and how can you trace them to their source?

November 15, 2023 by Damond Goodwin

Duties of Power Plant Operators, The Journey From Entry to Senior Operator

When beginning a new career, an obvious question is how to take positive steps, from your first day inside the plant all the way to becoming an experienced senior operator.

September 14, 2023 by Munir Ahmad

System Dynamic and Frequency Response Analysis

Understanding the building blocks of s-domain analysis and magnitude response theory can go a long way in helping engineers predict how and why some system design choices are made over others.

August 10, 2023 by Antonio Armenta

What Does ‘Explosion Proof’ Mean, and Who Should Care?

Some workplaces are more dangerous than others, not because of the practices, but rather the products. Where do explosions occur, and what practices exist to reduce such risk for equipment and workforce?

August 09, 2023 by David Peterson

CIP Safety and Its Applications to Robotic Installations

Industrial robots are becoming safer and more economical by utilizing safety signals over Ethernet networks via CIP safety technology.

June 15, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich

Gas, Smoke, and Fire Sensors for Industrial and Commercial Applications

We see smoke detectors on a daily basis in every house and building we visit, but the same sensor elements, and others, can be used to detect the presence of harmful gasses and heat in all industries.

May 16, 2023 by Antonio Armenta

Understanding Thermal and Pressure Safety Valves for Fluid Flow Systems

Safety is a concern in any system containing potential energy, whether electrical, chemical, or fluid. Each has methods of protection, and for fluid systems, certain shutoff valves are used in situations when excess pressure can be a problem.

March 20, 2023 by David Peterson

Introduction to Basic Three-Phase Motor Control Circuits

Large motors require a circuit to turn on and off. This may be as simple as a single on/off drum-type switch or as elaborate as a VFD unit. Learn about some common control circuit designs for typical three-phase motor requirements.

February 26, 2023 by David Peterson

Safety Devices - The When, How, and Why

Machine safety design can be a daunting task with all the different safety devices on the market today. Choosing the correct device for your design can be made easier by understanding when to use the proper device.

January 16, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich

What’s the Difference Between a Safety Contactor and a General Purpose Contactor?

Designing a system with motor motion always includes a consideration of safety. Incorporating safety contactors might be the correct prevention to protect equipment and users but may add additional challenges.

January 09, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich

Understanding and Using Safe Torque Off (STO) for Motion Systems

Safety is one of the most critical aspects of machine design. Today, with network connections between different machines and control centers, safety signals must be shared logically and reliably across networks.

November 14, 2022 by Shawn Dietrich

Robot Collision Recovery and Prevention

When a robot crashes, it needs to be put back into position. The steps in this process depends on the end user and the equipment manufacturer. Understanding why the robot crashed also helps prevent future failures.

October 20, 2022 by Shawn Dietrich

Introduction to Safety Light Curtains: Operation and Installation 

Light curtains serve as an invisible barrier, keeping workers out of harm's way and protecting machinery from damage. Learn about safety curtains, how they are installed, and their programmable functions.

October 12, 2022 by Damond Goodwin

Industrial Control Panel Design Standards and Best Practices

Industrial control panels are at the heart of control systems. Learn about the standards and regulations that dictate industrial control panel design for safety and efficiency, including NFPA 70, UL 60947-4-1, and NFPA 79. 

September 27, 2022 by Antonio Armenta

Ultrasonic Leak Detectors: Finding Leaks With Ultrasound

Pressurized gas leaks can sometimes be heard with the human ear, but small leaks with ultrasonic sounds are much more difficult to detect. Ultrasonic leak detectors can help to find otherwise undetectable leaks.

September 13, 2022 by Harry Trietley

Technology Differences: Stationary Robots vs Mobile Robots

Robots are no longer unanimously just "robots"—there are specific tasks and functionality of each kind. Learn about the technology differences between fixed-location robots and mobile robots and why no one robot is like another.

August 18, 2022 by Damond Goodwin

Collaborative Robot Cells: Simple and User-friendly Design Priorities

Learn about the common applications, programming procedures, and safety protocols of collaborative robot work cells, which are often simpler and less expensive than industrial robot work cells.  

July 25, 2022 by Damond Goodwin

CTRL F3: Factory Explosion Field Study

The CTRL F3 series reviews field studies and failures in the field focused on control fails, fixes, and facts. This article covers an explosion at an industrial sawmill.

July 12, 2022 by Jon Peterson

Robots and CNC Machines - An Assembly Configuration Made in Heaven

Our own Control Automation engineering staff had the opportunity to visit VersaBuilt, a CNC robotic integration shop offering an application system from the Universal Robots UR+ series.

May 12, 2022 by David Peterson

Dynamic Braking Resistors for Motor Control Applications

Large DC and AC motor drives often provide terminals for installing a braking resistor. What are these resistors, and how do they slow down a machine? What hazards and cautions must be considered?

April 21, 2022 by David Peterson