Plastic Enclosures that are Made with Belt Clip

Posted on by Elmer Daniels

While watching UP one afternoon, I was amazed by the innocence and ingenuity young Ellie showed at the beginning of the movie. Even if she is not totally involved in driving and steering the ship, she made a positive impact on her husband that she left him with wonderful mark. Including this is the fact that she taught her husband how to do the nifty and tricky system of ropes and pulleys which was used later on in the movie.

This scene has made me think a lot about how my grandparents were about during their generation, and how they have made up for the lack of technology before? Were they able to figure out how things can work without the help of today’s innovations?

With this in mind, I am amazed by how everything was offered in a silver platter because today’s innovations has enabled us to at least figure out how things should work out and we don’t have to invest time and energy in discovering things.

This is the reason why there are people who takes pleasure in working in a manufacturing field. A group of people can be composed of designers and engineers that makes things possible and brings difference to the lives of other people. Their ideas are being utilized for the betterment of the society. They are the group of people with new ideas and options for improvements. Engineers can take ideas together with available materials to make things and engineering projects happen. Whether it is theft retrieval systems, cars running on bio-fuel and cancer research, they can just follow their ideas and they will be able to create products that can bring positive changes on the world.

Even if the project fails, they will still add ideas to the things that does not work and it opens up to new options available.

This is the same case with other enclosure manufacturing companies. Their design engineers are continuously working on the products that will be released. Even with a wide variety of over 1400 styles and options, they are always open to expanding their current product line.

One of the options of the end users is to make a request about the way their enclosures should be worn – for instance, attached to a belt. There are enclosure series that are made handheld and they have optional rubber silicon boot for easier attachment. These molds are directly attached to the belt loop. This gives provisions for the enclosure to be worn on any kind of way that belts attach together – tool belt, clothing, shoulder strap, etc. The belt loop is being improved and reinforced to give protection to the boot from further damage and tearing that can be caused by continued use. Companies continue to come up with different use and innovations to make enclosures improved and better than before.

Creating Custom Knockout Holes in the Electronic Enclosures

Posted on by Elmer Daniels

There are ladies that are not ready to be called and perceived as a “girlie” girl. They have the tendency to exemplify the disgracing attitude of a drunk three legged bull making them not ready for sports. Boys can have the tendency to teach women about the rules, stats, and terminology of nearly every sport imaginable on the planet. Just by watching the episode of a sports commentary show – the commentators will discuss about the recent boxing match that just happened. The new terms that one can get are TKO (technical knock out.) It is easy to figure this out but it is not common to know the T in TKO. Because it is more common to hear KO in these scenarios.

So imagine if someone who are well versed in technology heard about the knockouts in enclosures. Obviously, it is not the same TKO or knock out in boxing however, the concept is quite similar when it comes to enclosures. A customer was looking for two different versions of a same case. The other versions should have one hole on the left while the other should have one on the right. In effort to be cost-efficient, the customer is looking for a way to produce one version in larger batches rather than just producing enclosures in two small batches. In order for them to do this, they should look for a way on how to only have one hole showing at a time.

To be able to do this, there is an option to make a machine knockout on the enclosure to make a thru-hole. The knockout should be essentially look like a round hole except that there are 2 small webs of plastic material that can hold the plastic slug in the hole. If the end users want to use the hole, they should simply break the webs of material to be able to remove the slug. This is what they call knocking out the material.

In other terms, companies can use machines that makes both holes as thru-holes and they can just simply cover the un-needed hole. There are enclosure manufacturing companies that does not carry products that cover or plug holes. There are different companies offering that type of products. Just by searching on Google, one can easily find a cover or plug holes for the enclosures.

How to Capture a PCB Using Two Screw Towers?

Posted on by Elmer Daniels

Just recently, I instantly decided to get rid of my unneeded furniture placed in the basement. It was already old, out of style and it so happens that my cats are living down in the basement. The furniture was completely covered in my cat’s fur because my two white cats loves to sit on the (then blue) white couch. Anyone who will see my furniture will tell me that it looks completely gross. And it is.

And because of presence of fleas, I decided to move the chairs by myself. I cannot wait for my boyfriend to arrive even if he is just 20 minutes away from my house. I almost got near the carpet but for once I decided to drag it upstairs. I just don’t have the energy to turn it to then haul it out open to the door.

When I carefully looked at the chair, I hefted the back of the chair onto the stair to make it leveled up to the front end whilst stepping up to the next level of the stairs. I said to myself, “one step at time.” I just patiently keeps on repeating this mantra as I slowly inch my way up to the stairs just balancing the two legs of the chair. When I finally got to the landing of the chair, I had to make the turn. I just hefted the back left leg of the chair onto the landing platform just in front of the right leg on the front end. While the chair is recently balanced like this on opposing legs, I just have to push it all the way to make a safe landing.

With this in mind, why should my impatience about furniture hauling matter? This is because without the ability to balance the chair on two opposing legs, I should have not succeeded. I recently got this idea from an enclosure making company that just launched their hand-held plastic enclosures. The unique enclosure design shows how it sandwiches a PCB between two screw towers.

There are customers who have asked how this works and they show a doubtful face that says “How does this keep the board from flexing?” The place of the board on the enclosure, then insert (and tighten) the screws into the screw holes on the enclosure. Which is now threaded unto the screw towers. This is primarily because the enclosure is so slim, that it leaves no room for the board to easily flex or twist like that inside the enclosure.

The screws can easily hold down the opposing corners of the PCB board. Thus making it just level and stable once the enclosure is successfully screwed together. This also allows the end user to use the space that surrounds the PCB without the need for the mounting attachments of bosses made in most sizes. However, because of the extra length of the KT-70, the mounting bosses are finally included for the additional stability.

Guidelines in Choosing the Best Industrial Automation Controller

Posted on by Elmer Daniels

There are several most important items that engineers should consider when they are in the process of choosing a controller for machines and automation processes. The break down of the equipment’s needs for operations requires a starting point that helps the equipment to have an analysis of the different ranges of controllers being specified by OEMs or machine makers. This depends on the way the equipment is being operated to fit in the larger manufacturing environment, the system can be automated to give and provide concrete & complete solution to have control on the individual parts.

The controller specified for this is the programmable logic controller (PLC) or the programmable automation controller (PAC.) These control systems can have control over a single station, machine, process unit, assembly line or even the entire plant which it was installed. Once the integrated manufacturing system is being automated, the single control systems controller can use multiple expansion and remote input/output (I/O) bases. This now having communications that use Ethernet that can give end-to-end control. On the other hand, this application may require the compartmentalization of different automation systems that can be broken in the system. This can lead to multiple, logical sections. However, in this case, the automation should be spread among much smaller PLCs or micro ones but this depends on the demand and the functionality.

Most of the automation engineers will see this as the irreversible decision they can make between two choices. This can also have vastly different platforms but this not have to be the only case. Some of the controller systems offer different platforms, size options that use or utilizes the same programming software. However, the single programming environment can offer larger application flexibility that can help companies save time and money. These programs can be easily converted or located from one PLC to another PLC to adapt to the compatibility of the projects.

These are such critical and expensive equipment which would need some protection in case of several incidents such as, water from pipe leaking, water fire extinguisher in case of fire and many more. Therefore we need some cabinets, enclosures or boxes to protect this equipment. There are a lot of enclosures and cabinets, provide a different protection level in each different type categorized by an organization called NEMA enclosures, or standard such is IP ratings various used in Europe.

One of the hardest parts of deciding is if a single program should be operated on a large PLC or to have the same project operate on smaller PLCs. Each of this should only have the parts executed that are needed to run by the specific subsystem.

With this in mind, this is much complex compared to picking PLC, PAC, or PC-based controller-size that depends on its characteristics, capabilities, and other functions. In order to help engineers in deciding which is the best controller to be used for this kind of application, they should consider the following factors:

Automation needed for a new system

Existing environmental issues (depending on the application)

Communication and Programming

Location of I/Os

Analog and Discrete Devices

Loop Controls

However, regardless of whether the system is new or not, it can dictate several critical factors for selection. Once these products are already installed, it is a recommended practice to come up with a new system that is compatible with the existing one. A small number of controller products can possibly come from the same manufacturing plant, and they may not be compatible with other controllers.

engineering blog, System Integrator

How System Integrator Delivers Value in Today’s Technology

Posted on by Elmer Daniels

The one great function of system integrators is they are in the industry to help companies solve automation problems. This happens by integrators giving the time, talent, and technology that is crucial to converting a plan into a completed company project. Once a manufacturing plant is prepared to make its operations bigger, the production systems should also upgrade its processes. However, the main question that should be answered is wherein the part of the expansion a system integrator can help?

To help companies answer this question, the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) a body formed for independent, professional service providers that utilize hardware, software, and communications products are ready to give the clients within a specific industry the best options for systems integration. This includes control and information systems. With this in mind, this body dictates that the system integrators create the design and implements complicated systems for the end-users of the process in different industries. Such as manufacturing, process plants, and other industrial facilities.

Siemens Digital Factory

The Siemens Digital Factory is popular with their engineering capabilities and information technologies that help businesses automate their manufacturing processes. This covers all types of businesses from the plant floor to the corporation and enterprise level. The automation processes enable the company owners and manufacturers to have cost-efficient ways and practical energy use. In return, this helps in the increase in production while decreasing the harmful effects on the environment.

There are articles that discuss different system integrators. There is one case study that involves water and wastewater treatment plants. In this study, there is a PLC involved. The project involves the replacement of the PLCs or programmable logic controllers. There is also converting protocols, upgrading supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system both hardware and software. The second case involves PLC consolidation and the upgrade of SCADA software. With this in mind, both projects are really successful.

Another case study shows how the users of the systems such as insurance companies, system manufacturers, different government offices. These companies and offices can identify their need for a process safety system. This system should be designed, operated, and well maintained over its life cycle. In the article, they list the set of key codes and different standards that are very well applicable to the different process of other industries and they give different perspectives about the fulfillment of legacy systems.

control system, control system with style, engineering blog

How to Have Control System with Style?

Posted on by Elmer Daniels

When a design engineer would like to implement and design a control system with an integration project, he/she should start with a set of goals or specifications. These goals should determine the preferences of the end-user and this should be communicated efficiently to ensure that final output satisfies the expectations of all stakeholders in a company. This gives a good start for any design engineer when specifications are carefully developed and implemented. It ensures the highest success probability of the project and it makes sure that in the long haul, the control system can be maintained and operates efficiently.

When designing a new control system, the easiest one to develop are the hard-side specifications. Why? Because there are many resources available for this one. Pre-built sections for controllers and software packages in a control system are in the resources of Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). Once an engineer cannot find the detail that he/she desires, other control system hardware and software sellers can also provide detailed sections about hard-side specifications. Once the users are looking for bids from several seller or vendors of this system, the specifications the company would like to have must be carefully developed and consider so that these can be met by several bidders. Sometimes you can find an electrical enclosure manufacturer that offers built-in or customized server rack cabinets that can install the control system you design. Some control system needs to be in the low temperature or cold environment, so you might need some rack server with air conditioner systems to cool down your controller.

The real challenge comes when a company or a user would like to set the specifications on the soft-side of controls. To guide them in the decision-making process, they should start with a few basic questions:

What design should be considered for the screen?

How is the controller is going to be used by the maintenance or engineering personnel?

The structure of tags and operating pump colors are hardly addressed in the specifications. These are the elements which determine the UI (user interface) of the control system.

Once these guidelines are answered, the next step of action is to start the layout with a style guide. Style guides have been existing for a very long time in other fields. There is The Associated Press Stylebook, MLA Handbook for research papers, and in marketing field where fonts, colors, and logos for branding are also guided & monitored across all social media platforms. In this scenario, the style guide is also appropriate and applicable.

With this in mind, there is no limit what elements and considerations should be added in a control system style guide. However, the following are six areas where there should be standardization of style and these elements has proven to have the most return on investment:

1. Color

Like the usual traffic lights, red signifies stop and green means go. With this in mind, mechanical systems and electrical systems also apply the same principles. The main goal of color coding is to keep the operators and personnel safe in company operations. The color does not only signify coding but it should be well implemented in the company processes.

To start the process of deciding which colors to use for guidelines, determine the list of colors used in a facility where the control system will be used. Look for painted process pipes, pilot lights, control panels, stack lights, etc. The colors used should be familiar with the personnel for more efficient use of the control guide and better operations.

The Best Guide to Understand IP Ratings

Posted on by Elmer Daniels

IP Ratings Applicable for Liquid Ingress in Household Items: 

Now, we have discussed the importance of the first digit in the IP ratings standard, we will now discuss the importance of the second digit. The second digit discusses the enclosures’ capability to protect equipment from water ingress. However, it is important to note that this rating only deals with clean water and not any type of liquid or harmful chemicals in general. This rating has a nine-point scale. Where “0” means no protection from liquid ingress and “8” is completely waterproof. The IP rating of “8” means that the enclosure can be submerged in water.

Taking our previous example, the television casing has provisions for hole openings found on sides and bottom. And a user can find the limited number of slots on the top of television case that are engineered to create a small overlap. With the IP rating for liquid ingress, television cases can withstand any minor water ingress and water will not enter the television case. 

However, it is important to note that television cases are designed for indoor use. It cannot be used for environments where there is high presence of moist in the air. In case of household places, these are bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoor spaces. When water is sprayed on the enclosures with low protection form water ingress, liquid is possible to get in. For television case, it has an IP rating of “2” for liquid ingress. In summary it has an IP rating of IP22. 

In case of television remote controls, it doesn’t have any slots or vents compared to television cases. It is well sealed and sides are well-fitted. Even though there are hole provisions for the buttons, water will not get in in case of accidental water splashes. However, certainly it cannot be submerged in water. Also, even if the battery compartment is well fitted, it is not gasketed or even sealed. 

With this in mind, in case the remote control is continuously sprayed with water for 1-2 minutes, the water will start entering and seep inside the casing. With our previous example, the remote control will have an IP rating of IP53. It has high protection from solid ingress but it only provides partial protection from water ingress. 

For the smartphones example, users can clean their smartphones under the running water. If in case the user forgets to take out his phone when he goes for a dip in the pool, the water will still not get inside the mobile phone. Even if it is submerged for half an hour, there will be no issue of water ingress as long as it is submerged up to five feet deep.  

How Important is the Use of IP Ratings? 

These IP ratings are powerful because it gives the users the knowledge of protection an electrical enclosure can provide to any electronics. These are essential in giving the users a universal and good description of any enclosures’ capabilities.  

How System Integrator Delivers Value in Today’s Technology

Posted on by Elmer Daniels

The one great function of system integrators is they are in the industry to help companies solve automation problems. This happens by integrators giving the time, talent, and technology that is crucial to convert a plan into a completed company project. Once a manufacturing plant is prepared to make its operations bigger, the production systems should also upgrade its processes. However, the main question that should be answered is where in the part of the expansion a system integrator can help? 

To help companies answer this question, the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) a body formed for independent, professional service providers that utilize hardware, software, and communications products are ready to give the clients within a specific industry the best options for systems integration. This includes control and information systems. With this in mind, this body dictates that the system integrators create design and implements complicated systems for the end users of the process in different industries. Such as manufacturing, process plants, and other industrial facilities. 

The Siemens Digital Factory is popular with their engineering capabilities and information technologies that helps businesses automate their manufacturing processes. This covers all types of businesses from the plant floor to the corporation and enterprise level. The automation processes enable the company owners and manufacturers have cost-efficient ways and practical energy use. In return, this helps in the increase in production while decreasing the harmful effects on the environment. 

There are articles that discusses about different system integrators. There is one case study that involves water and wastewater treatment plants. In this study, there is PLC involved. The project involves the replacement of the PLCs or programmable logic controllers. There is also converting protocols, upgrading supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system both hardware and software. The second case involves PLC consolidation and the upgrade of SCADA software. With this in mind, both projects are really successful. 

The another case study shows how the users of the systems such as: insurance companies, system manufacturers, different government offices. These companies and offices can identify their need for a process safety system. This system should be designed, operated, and well maintained over its life cycle. In the article, they list the set of key codes and different standards that are very well applicable to the different process of other industries and they give different perspectives about the fulfillment of legacy systems.