Safety first for machine launch with Siemens

AddisonMckee is a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of tube bending and end-forming technologies and has recently launched its new eB80 ESRB model machine, designed primarily for supply into the automotive industry as an alternative option to the company's existing DB 75 machine.

An integral element of the machine's development was the requirement to ensure it would comply with all necessary standards and legislation concerning safety. To help validate this, AddisonMckee worked alongside Siemens Safety Services team to access independent support, advice and consultancy for all relevant safety-related issues.

John Inskip, Product Specialist, Drive Technologies at Siemens Industry, says: "Safety is obviously a central concern when looking to develop a new machine as in the case of AddisonMckee's new electric axis bending machine. Our Safety Services team was able to work alongside the management team through all the initial evaluation stages and based upon the findings from the Siemens Safety Evaluation Tool was able to clearly identify and validate where and how the new machine could meet all the required safety standards. These recommendations and clear assessments then enabled AddisonMckee's engineering team to progress the new machine's design and development safe in the knowledge that all safety issues had been covered."

As a result of the assessment process, the new electric axis bending machine is also benefitting from enhanced protection due to the specification of a Siemens Industry SINAMICS S120 motion control drive system with integrated safety functionality. It derives not only excellent performance, but with its safety integrated technology benefits also provides a more flexible safety system with a reduction in the requirement for additional hardware normally associated with safety technology. A thorough evaluation of all the mechanical, electrical and global safety standards has enabled the rationalisation of the latest components for the new machine.

While the new machine utilises the existing DB75 ESRB machine design as a 10-axis machine, the eB80 ESRB also provides additional capacity and flexibility for complex components incorporating compound bends. It is designed to bend complex tube shapes up to 82mm in outside diameter and can be configured with optional multistack/multi-radius and direct acting boost systems, for the ultimate in bending control and versatility.

Current and future needs

John Inskip concludes: "The combination of the expertise and support offered by our Safety Services Team, alongside the SINAMICS drive technology, ensured AddisonMckee was able to launch a high-performance tube-bending machine that also benefits from in-built safety system functionality to address its current and future needs."

The SINAMICS S120 modular motion control drives are designed for high-performance drive applications in mechanical and systems engineering. SINAMICS S120 includes single and coordinated (multiple-axis applications) drives with vector or servo functionalities allowing implementation of highly customised performance drives.

Steve Moore, Sales Manager from AddisonMckee, comments: "We were delighted with the expert support we received around the safety compliance aspects of the new machine's development. The Siemens Safety team took us through all the necessary steps and the Safety Evaluation tool proved to be very helpful. As a result we specified the Sinamics S120 drive system which, through its integrated safety functionality, offers superior performance and peace of mind."

To learn more about safety assessment, consultancy and validation process offered by Siemens, please visit www.industry.siemens.co.uk.