Low Cost Automation Tutorial

#187 Design Image Training - 3: Equipment Safety Designs

Category : Hints on designing

August 1, 2014

There are many occupational accidents caused by machinery equipment. Limiting only to the manufacturing sector, machinery related accidents constitute 40% or more of all accidents. With large machinery equipment, many accidents are "getting caught, entangled", followed by "being cut, scraping, galling". In this section, the automated Bingo Game machine will be evaluated based on equipment safety design examples.

(1) Equipment dangers

Dangers of equipment can be classified into following two types.

- 1. Mechanical hazards

Following mechanical hazards can be listed in case of the automated Bingo Game machine.

Mechanical hazard type	Explanation
(1) Rotary motion	Motor shaft rotations
(2) Linear motion, sliding motion	Linear motion of the XY table, pick and place
(3) Parts and material popping out	Not applicable
(4) Getting caught in gaps	Related to item (2)

-2. Non-mechanical hazards

Types of non-mechanical hazards	Explanation
(5) Electrical hazards	Incorporate into electrical systems design. Parts selection requires choices of components compatible with appropriate standards.
(6) Noises, vibrations	Not applicable
(7) Others	Combustible materials, chemically hazardous materials, temperature, pressure, dust, and poison, etc.: Not applicable

(2) Safety design of machinery and equipment

Safety designs will need to be incorporated in the following items.

Non-mechanical hazard items	Explanation
Safety design of the structure	- Machine strength: Mounting strength and loosening prevention, hanging hook strength, floor strength, etc. - Electrical safety, hydraulic/pneumatic systems safety, control systems safety
Safety design of the appearance	- Preventing dangerous features (sharp tips, etc.) protruding from the equipment, covering of moving sections, etc. - Covering of high temperature sections, etc.
Safety design of the work area	- Safety for working area: Protection from driven areas, prevention of safety device disabling, etc.

(3) In case of automated Bingo Game machine

Many people approach the device and play the Bingo Game by operating the switches on the control panel. Since the motion area is not to be touched directly, the entire machine is covered with a clear acrylic cover for the countermeasure.

a) Entire motion area is covered (the cover is of clear acrylic for visibility)
b) Install a mechanical switch to disable the machine when the cover is opened.

[Photo] Cover open/close safety switch

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