Dangers in the factory setting are a very real concern. The combination of heavy machinery, moving parts and a fast paced work environment, create a need for extra safeguards to protect workers. Legal requirements and OSHA standards also ensure these measures are met so that operators are safe.
Machine guarding keeps the various hazards presented by operating machinery under control. To do so, physical guards are used to create a barrier between dangerous parts of the machine and a worker’s ability to have contact with those areas. These guards must be secure, durable and tamper resistant and they must allow workflow and productivity needs to be met.
Efficiency has never been more important to the manufacturing industry than now. This is especially true in North America, where higher costs of doing business place many manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage with global counterparts in places like China, India, and Indonesia.
How can North American manufacturers maximize productivity and reduce waste enough to remain competitive in the global marketplace? For many, the answer is with a set of principles and practices collectively known as lean manufacturing.
The last time the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) set the maximum civil penalties for violation of its workplace safety guidelines was way back in 1990 – but not for very long. Thanks to legislation enacted by Congress in November 2015, which required federal agencies to adjust their fines for inflation, August 1, 2016 will see an almost 80% increase in OSHA’s maximum penalties. In addition, penalties moving forward will be adjusted for inflation every year from 2016 on.
When it comes to conveyor system manufacturers, mk North America offers the broadest range of systems in the industry. But they also know that one size does not fit all. That’s why they offer the ability to customize your conveyor before it ships. mk’s custom options go beyond the typical ability to choose length and width, and mean you can create a complete custom solution without having to go to multiple suppliers.
With the design of any industrial equipment, there are numerous considerations that need to be taken into account. Usually chief among these are material cost, equipment performance, and durability. However with such a narrow focus on the physical features of the equipment itself, human factors such as ease of use and ergonomics can be too often overlooked.
mk LZR linear modules offer high speed, high acceleration, and long travel distances combined with rigid construction characteristics. They are ideally suited as a single-axis product or as a component for multi-axis gantries.
