Panel Layout and Electrical Design
I had planned on writing a bit about my meeting with the publisher last week, but I received a comment on a post from about a year and a half ago on Controls Specifications. Doug asked me to cover a …
Category: Techniques
Kaizen
A major element of Lean methodology is Kaizen, or “improvement”. The term can refer to a continuous process or to a planned improvement event concentrating on a specific target. From the Industrial Automation: Hands On manuscript: Continuous improvement, or Kaizen, …
CE Marking and the Machinery Directive
Last week I covered some of the US safety standards that apply to to machine building. As Tony mentioned in his comment on the subject, not all machines stay in the USA. This week I am going to discuss European …
Safety Standards
When designing machinery for automated processes, one of the most important factors to consider is the safety of the personnel who will be using the equipment. Of secondary importance is the protection of the machinery itself. Due to the movement …
Engineering Philosophy
Yesterday I had some time to kill while my car was in the shop so I brought my notebook with me to do a little brainstorming. My wife and I had discussed some of her work situation in the morning …
Encoders and Resolvers
Here is another recently rewritten article, if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. An Encoder is a type of transducer that senses position or orientation, usually for use as a reference or active feedback to control position. Encoders …
Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
As part of my job I have often been tasked with gathering information pertaining to machine or production line performance, production data or implementation of SCADA systems. Most of the time my job ends at the plant floor and others …
Time Management
As I wind down on my current project and start working on my next I am feeling the stress of having too many things to do and not enough time to do them in. My next job involves system integration …
Gage R & R
This past week I spent most of my time putting finishing touches on the program for the system I am working on. The three machines in the system are running fairly well though as they are put through their paces …
Standardization
In several of my previous posts I have touched on this subject indirectly. As I finish up on my current project I am reminded of how every system has its own challenges and seems different from every other machine or …