FEECO’s lab testing and tolling facility is up and running after a major overhaul of the electrical, control, and data collection systems. Although the upgrade brought in many impressive features, perhaps the most important, was the increase in safety measures.
One such safety measure is the increase in emergency shut-off’s around the lab. Emergency shut-offs, or e-stops, are kill-switches that can shut down all equipment at the touch of a button, in the case of an emergency situation involving operators and the equipment they work around. Though FEECO already had eight e-stops situated around the lab, an evaluation was done to ensure these big red buttons were in the most easily accessible locations. In addition to evaluating the accessibility of the current e-stops, two more e-stops were added. FEECO’s steep incline conveyor has also been equipped with two safety pull cord switches, one at the tail section, and one on the head section. These will provide a “Local Machine Safety Stop” for this conveyor.
Emergency stops are a critical component to any lab facility, and FEECO is no exception. While we hope they never have to, these e-stops will prove invaluable in the event of an emergency.
Another safety feature the lab upgrade saw was the conversion of the electrical receptacles and plugs. All electrical plugs have been replaced with safety-rated disconnect plugs and receptacles by Meltric. These top of the line plugs and receptacles are designed to protect the user from exposure to live parts while making or breaking a connection. The will help to prevent the possibility of shock when unplugging equipment, or the possibility of shorting out a piece of equipment. Another beneficial feature is the ability to easily lockout-tagout a plug.
The control panel itself also features safety measures. The panel will no longer need to be accessed in order to “shut off” equipment. Called “Panel View,” all motors and equipment control are accessed via one touch screen monitor. This monitor will allow a lab technician to easily disengage a piece of equipment from the power system.
Safety is number one in importance at FEECO, and our lab safety committee continues to evaluate all safety measures and their effectiveness. While the FEECO lab staff is always safety conscious, these increased safety measures will only help in reducing the risk of an accident.
For more information on the FEECO lab, contact us today!