Radwell International’s Blog

Companies today use collaborative robots for manufacturing to address a wide number of challenges, including the growing labor shortage. The jobs often consist of fast-paced, repetitive tasks in environments that are far less comfortable than an office. So, attracting employees to manufacturing jobs can be difficult.

Global markets are slowing economic growth, a challenge for automation industries in every region, and trade frictions and an unstable geopolitical environment are also affecting industries in some important areas. Where can automation enterprises find opportunities amid challenges?

At the end of October 2019, ARC Advisory Group released a list of the top 50 global and North American automation companies of 2018. At the same time, analysts pointed out that with slower growth in some global markets, automation companies still have opportunities to grow against the trend.

What is a Circuit Breaker?

A circuit breaker is a mechanical switching device that automatically protects an electrical circuit from damage generated from excess current from an overload. A circuit breaker’s main function is to detect a faulty condition and once that condition is detected the circuit breaker will interrupt the current flow during both normal or abnormal conditions. Depending upon the type of circuit breaker they can be reset automatically or manually. The ability to reset is what separates a circuit breaker from a fuse. A fuse is only able to operate once and then must be replaced. When a circuit breaker detects the fault and interrupts the current flow, it can be reset manually or automatically and resume normal operation.

This article was originally published at Epicor's The Shop Floor. View original post here 

The industrial internet of things is the network of industrial devices connected by communication technologies that result in systems that can monitor, collect, exchange, analyze, and deliver data. Simply put, Industrial Internet of Things refers to smart machines and devices a business uses that are connected to the internet and provide real time data and analytics. It brings together machines, analytics, and the people that make it all work. It can be as advanced as a fully automated mass production line that tracks maintenance, productivity and even ordering and shipping information across a huge, multi-layered network. This data can be used to improve existing work practices and business processes as well as creating entirely new ways of doing things.

Although it seems like a simple thing, choosing lighting for your environment is important for your operation and can have interesting consequences. Finding the best solution may not be as obvious as it seems. It is definitely important to weight the pros and cons and have knowledge of the environment and applications before choosing a system that is best for your operation.

In the manufacturing industry, safety is critically important. With the use of large-scale automated machinery and robotics, having a safety barrier between operators, technicians and the equipment plays a big role in keeping humans safe as they work alongside machines.

Guards should prevent contact and not create a hazard. They should also not interfere with machine operations and should be secure and tamper-proof. Let’s look at three common machine perimeter guards that create a safe area around the outside of a machine.

Safety is a critical part of any operation but it is especially important in a manufacturing environment. In manufacturing, there are many aspects of the process that can present safety concerns for employees if proper procedures are not managed and maintained. There are regulations for safety that need to be followed in order to provide a safe and productive working environment for employees and to prevent OSHA fines and penalties. In addition, poor safety can result in rising insurance costs, increased workmans’ compensation claims and medical expenses.

Let’s talk about a few common safety issues and how to best prevent them from becoming a liability in a manufacturing operation.

When deciding between fluid-driven and electromechanical linear actuators, close consideration of long-term benefits to the intended end user can help original equipment manufacturer (OEM) system designers maximize both product value and return on investment (ROI).

Fluid-driven actuators translate electric energy motion through a column of air, gas, oil or other media. While the motion they provide is simpler than with other type actuators, the infrastructure required to support them is not. Hydraulic actuators require an external system of pumps and valves; Pneumatic actuators require complex air delivery systems. For both, stroke length is defined by a mechanical hard stop.

Welding arc flash is a burn of the outer layers of the eyeball caused by the intense ultra-violet radiation generated by welding. A common cause of arc flashes in the industrial industry is when someone looks directly at the welding area without wearing protective eye gear. Directly looking at the UV radiation generated by the electric welding arcs causes a painful inflammation of the cornea. This is commonly referred to as ‘welder’s eye’ or ‘arc eye.’