Skip navigation
SKIP THIS AD >>
ADVERTISEMENT
You will be redirected to your destination in 10 seconds.
Electronics Industry Search

Polling Question

Should the government bail out U.S. automakers?

  • Yes
  • No



View Previous Poll Results
Advertisement
Email
Print
Reprints/License
RSS
Article tools sponsored by

Safe touch button design

By Jean Young Gonzalez, Western Regional Editor -- Design News, January 17, 2000

Designed for ergonomics and safety, Rockwell Automation's new Allen Bradley 800Z Zero-Force Touch Buttons use field-effect sensors and microprocessor technology instead of pressure to sense an operator's touch. The zero-force touch buttons feature a contoured surface that mimics the shape of the palm of the hand, eliminating the need to rotate hands or operate a touch button with only a single finger. This ergonomic design helps prevent carpal tunnel and other repetitive stress syndromes. Two independent sensors read the dielectric strength of an object, at a rate found only in the hand, eliminating accidental tripping by rags or metal objects, such as screw drivers. The push button control, says Rockwell, beats out others with capacitive or photoelectric sensors, which are not redundant enough to eliminate single-fault failure, and meets new OSHA standards. A specific fault LED indicator detects faults and shuts down the button.

Automotive companies interested in complying with global ergonomic and safety directives have pushed for state-of-the-art controls that meet international standards. These units are globally rated, meeting IEC, UL, ANSI, OSHA, CSA (Canada) standards. The devices are available in 30.5-mm and 22.5-mm mounting options. "We worked with our customers to develop an operator interface device that would improve productivity as well as operator safety," says Elmar Gillrath, Rockwell Automation's 800Z Product Manager, who found that some operators can make up to 6,000 repetitive motion operations per shift. OSHA reports that repetitive motion injuries cost industry between $20 and $40 billion a year, in workers compensation, downtime and retraining.

For information on zero-force touch buttons, contact Rockwell Automation Response Center, Dept. 0974, 10701 Hampshire Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55438; Tel: (800) 223-5354.

Advertisement

Sponsored Content

Technology Marketplace

Email
Print
Reprints/License
RSS
Article tools sponsored by
Find a supplier on oemsuppliersearch.com

Talkback


We would love your feedback!

» View All Talkback Threads

» Submit talk back
Advertisement
Advertisement

Design News Partner Zones

AnarkCAD/CAE Model Clean-Up: Reduce Iterative Cycles
This webinar featured research and survey results related to problems associated with preparing CAD geometry for CAE applications.  We discussed how Recipe-Based Automation can help create "just-in-time" CAE-ready geometry each time a cad model is updated. Watch the Presentation

Light Matters: Systems Level Approach to HBLED illumination applications
Its good practice to apply a systems-level approach to high-brightness LED (HBLED) illumination applications. Minimally, the system includes the optical, thermal and electrical characteristics of the of the HBLED, the lens (if any) which is built-in to its package, secondary optics such as external plastic lenses/reflectors to direct the light as your application requires and power driver electronics. Read More

Design Engineers' Portal for Sensing and Machine Safety
Whatever industry you're in, or whatever product you manufacture, the right sensors to automate your plant, and to improve your overall efficiency, quality and safety are a must. You'll find Banner Engineering to be an amazing resource of products, training and people with expertise.

Design News Partner Zone Directory »

Please visit these other Reed Business sites