First, the EC has published yet another updated list of Harmonised Standards. As with the list published in February, there are no major issues, but I have summarised the changes on this page on MachineBuilding.net: Machinery Directive Harmonised Standards, 23 March 2012.

Second, MachineBuilding.net has opened a Twitter account with the username @MachBuild. My tweets will be restricted to subjects that are of use and/or interest to machine builders - and I will not deluge followers with pointless nonsense. Provided I can get a mobile signal inside the NEC, I am planning to tweet about what I find at the Drives & Controls show. You can follow me during the show and, if you spot a tweet of interest, visit the supplier's stand to find out more. Or you can read the tweets later and contact the suppliers at your leisure. Even if you don't have a Twitter account, you can still read my tweets and follow any links at www.twitter.com/machbuild.

Finally, if you design, build or modify machines, please see the item at the end of this newsletter entitled 'What have you used?'

EDITOR'S CHOICE

MELSEC L Series PLC is compact, powerful and expandable
Mitsubishi's new L Series rackless, modular PLC bridges the gap between the compact FX PLC and the high-performance iQ Process Automation Controller (PAC). More?

Modular draw wire sensors include models with plastic cables
Micro-Epsilon is launching two new draw wire sensors, one is compact and lightweight for original equipment manufacturers, while the other has a plastic line. More?

Cylindrical photo-electric sensors with unique swivel mounting
Leuze electronic's latest cylindrical photo-electric sensors can have the mounting nuts reversed, enabling the sensors to be swivelled for easy alignment. More?

New normally-closed fail-safe inductive sensors
Unlike many other fail-safe inductive sensors, the new GG851S from ifm electronic is a normally-closed device, which simplifies installation in some applications. More?

Modem helps minimise downtime of hard-to-access machinery
Parker Hannifin is introducing the IQAN-G2 modem for remote real-time monitoring, diagnostics and parameter setting via the internet and GPRS. More?

EVENTS

Energy and Safety Seminar at Drives & Controls show
DFA Media has published the programme for the seminar at this month's Drives & Controls event - but hurry, as some sessions are already fully booked. More?

Measurements Roadshow for PC-based data acquisition
National Instruments, Honeywell and PCB Piezotronics are hosting a series of half-day events to explain PC-based data acquisition using real-world sensors. More?

SPONSORED ANNOUNCEMENTS

New range of wall-mounted, single-point gas monitors
Edinburgh Sensors is launching wall-mounted, single-point gas monitors for high-accuracy continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide or methane. More?

Micropumps for high-precision liquids transfer
Michael Smith Engineers offers high-precision Micropump external gear pumps for flow rates ranging from ml/hr to 40 lit/min and discharge pressures up to 8.5 bar. More?

The key points of a systematic technical risk assessment
This article and flowchart from Pilz explain the risk assessment process that must be followed when building, retrofitting or interlinking machines. More?

Top tips for ensuring compressed air system efficiency
This article presents four ways to reduce running costs by maintaining or improving the efficiency of a compressed air system. More?

15-minute machinery safety sessions - and enter the iPod draw
Spend 15 minutes with Sick at the Drives & Controls Show to gain an insight into functional safety standards (preregister and you can enter the draw for an iPod). More?

New white paper: Enhancing performance with pressure sensors
Gems Sensors & Controls' white paper explains how the latest pressure sensors offer higher performance at a lower cost, and the benefits for users. More?

DAILY DILBERT

Apps, cash and cunning
This week Dilbert shares his views on apps and cash cows, while Wally adopts a fresh approach to punctuality. More?

CALLING ALL READERS

What have you used?
Which products have you read about on MachineBuilding.net and subsequently used? And what action have you taken after reading about changes to standards and legislation? Please send me a short email to let me know (all information will be treated in confidence). editor@machinebuilding.net

Jonathan Severn
Editor

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