Pilz Automation has published a 200-page safety guide for mechanical and electrical engineers, machine builders and systems integrators.
The 'Safety Compendium', which was compiled by a committee of machinery safety experts at Pilz that includes engineers, lawyers and academics, is intended as an overview or technical guide for those keen to learn more about the application of functional safety standards to machinery and all its other associated aspects.
Available to download or as a hard copy, the 200-page compendium is the successor to Pilz's 'Machinery Safety' book.
The Safety Compendium addresses a number of topics, including laws, directives and standards (including the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC); safeguards and other protective equipment; safety control technology; safety-related communications; and safe motion control. Section 2.3 of the guide includes a comparison of the old and new Machinery Directives, highlighting the differences between the two.
Section 2.4 provides an introduction to some of the machinery safety standards, with particular emphasis on the functional safety standards ISO 13849-1 and IEC 62061 (or BS EN ISO 13849-1 and BS EN 62061 in the UK). (see Machinery feature here)
Section 3 looks at safeguards for machines, including advice on how machine designers can prevent or minimise the risk of manipulation or tampering of machine guards.
Section 4 of the guide includes comprehensive information on the many different types of safe control technology available today. Section 5 addresses safe communication technologies, including basic principles and examples of safety fieldbus systems (SafetyBUS p and SafetyNET p).
With a view to helping readers improve machine availability and performance, Section 6 of the compendium discusses the growing trend of using safe motion control systems. Basic principles are covered here, as well as information on IEC 61800-5-2 (Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems – Part 5-2: Safety Requirements - Functional) and safety functions (safe stops, limited speeds, safe direction, safe torque off, etc).
For your free hard copy, call 01536 460766 or email j.harris@pilz.co.uk .
To download a copy, visit www.pilz.co.uk and enter web code 6018.
