The SAFER Workplace initiative promotes workplace safety to reduce the potential of near misses, accidents, and injuries. The SAFER acronym is based on the 5 fundamental steps used to conduct a risk assessment and stands for STOP, ASSESS, FORMULATE, EXECUTE, and REVIEW. These steps are fundamental to properly addressing any concerns such as unsafe operations…
Calculating Safety Distances
Requirements for the proper placement of safety guards and presence sensing devices Applying safeguards to equipment and machines may lead to a false sense of safety if not applied correctly. This paper explores the often overlooked practice of determining the minimum safe distance or height at which a hard guard or protective device should be…
Sanitary And Hygienic Design Standards
An overview of US and Canadian standards for food industry Hygiene and sanitation are key issues in the food processing industry to prevent food borne illnesses. It influences the design of machines used in areas that need to be constantly cleaned. It is important when selecting safety devices or command devices for food processing machines…
Selection Guidelines For Safety Light Curtains
The four main options to consider in selecting the right Safety Light Curtain for your application. Safety light curtains are a viable safeguarding option for point of operation or perimeter guarding. Choosing the right one is not terribly complicated, once a thorough risk assessment is performed. It helps to define the Type, Resolution, Protection field,…
Workplace Safety: Safeguarding Robots and Robot Cells
Protect personnel working directly with or around robots. Learn which standards are relevant for robot applications, understand robot functionality and limitations and how they affect typical methods of safeguarding robots, and review safety considerations for Collaborative Robots. Sponsored content by Schmersal
Easy installation solution for complex machines
Schmersal is proud to announce a new version of its Safety Fieldbox (SFB) is now available for EtherNet/IP with CIP Safety. Machine designers can integrate, with ease, safety devices with one of the most commonly used control systems worldwide. Connecting safety devices via the Schmersal Safety Fieldbox reduces wiring requirements for each device installed, up…
Schmersal compact limit switches solve a variety of object detection puzzles
AutomationDirect has added new Schmersal compact limit switches that provide an affordable solution for a variety of object detection applications. Their small size allows easy installation in confined spaces. These rugged limit switches offer a 31-mm body width, with a 45° adjustable, die-cast zinc head, and thermoplastic housing. Several actuator styles are available, including plunger,…
Plug-n-play safety field box for PROFINET/PROFIsafe systems
Schmersal is pleased to announce the release of the SFB, a safety field box for PROFINET/PROFIsafe systems which allows simple plug-and-play installation of up to eight safety devices. Thanks to its universal device interface with an 8-pole M12 connector, it can be used to connect a wide variety of safety devices: electronic and electro-mechanical safety…
Electromechanical solenoid interlock in a slim design
Schmersal is pleased to announce the release of the AZM150 solenoid interlock. The AZM150 is an electromechanical solenoid interlock in a slim design. The slim housing is just 40 x 48 x 204 mm and was designed to match the aluminum profiles used in many machine guard doors. The AZM150 solenoid provides a 1500 N…
The smallest electronic solenoid interlock now available
Schmersal is pleased to announce the release of the AZM40 electronic solenoid interlock. The AZM40 is the smallest electronic solenoid interlock available, with dimensions of just 1.5” x 4.75” x 0.75” (119.5 x 40 x 20 mm). It was designed to fit standard extruded profiles typically used in machine guard frames. It features a symmetrical…
New multifunctional, configurable, electronic safety controllers
Schmersal is proud to introduce the PROTECT SRB-E series, a range of multifunctional, configurable, electronic safety controllers. The series features safe PNP outputs and can be used to…
Safety controllers for explosive environments
Schmersal is proud to introduce the SRB-EXi series; a generation of safety relay modules which combines the proven SRB safety relay functionality with the demands of explosion protection….
Compact RFID-based electronic safety sensor
Schmersal is proud to announce the release of our latest RFID-based electronic safety sensor, the compact RSS260, designed for application in safety circuits of hinged, sliding or removable…
New safety light curtains offer muting, cyclic, and multiple scan
Schmersal is proud to introduce the SLC445 Series, Type 4 Safety Light Curtains offering muting, cyclic operation, and multiple scan functions in addition to a wide range of integrated functions which are easily configurable without the need of a special tool or software. The functional diversity of the SLC445 allows these optoelectronic safety devices the…
Multifunctional Safety Light Curtains
Schmersal’s SLC440 Series Safety Light curtains provide for the protection of hazardous areas with a full range of easily programmed integrated functions, highly visible signaling, and an alignment aid in a rugged housing. The SLC440 Series are Type 4 Safety Light Curtains that were designed to be easier to install and use in a wide…