Enclosures


Protecting the industrial environment by applying ergonomic design


By Paresh Kansara, Rittal’s product manager for industrial and outdoor enclosures


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report from the Health and Safety Executive in 2018 estimated that 6.6 million working days were lost in the UK in 2017/18 due to work related musculoskeletal disorders. This accounts for nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of all working days lost due to work related ill- health in the UK, with an average of 14 days lost in each case. Manual handling, awkward or tiring positions and repetitive action are estimated to be the main causes of work related musculoskeletal disorders, with 82 per cent of cases affecting the back, hand, wrist, arm, shoulder or neck. Health and safety, employee wellbeing and greater productivity benefits, make ergonomic working an essential consideration in today’s workplace. This means not only ensuring that machines and equipment satisfy safety requirements but also making sure that they are as easy to use as possible - ideally effortless and strain-free. suitable adjustment for each operator. Solutions for the process plant and machine operative One example where manual handling can easily be optimised is the operator terminal on machines, which needs to be flexible and easy to position using support arm systems. Rittal is now offering a height-adjustable support section for its CP support arm system. There are two weight ranges: 4–30 kg or 10–60 kg. Weight can be adjusted within these ranges to ensure that the enclosure remains at the set height over long periods of operation without any re-adjustment. Designed for a maximum height difference of 600mm and smaller than its predecessor, the new height-adjustable support section allows integration into the support arm system without adding an adaptor.


Ergonomic panel building It’s not only the support arm systems that benefit from Rittal ergonomic design. The new AX and KX wall boxes (available from January) reduce dis-assembly work during initial modifications because the door, mounting plate, locks and gland plates are provided but not fitted. Furthermore, features such as retrospective earthing and simplified wall mounting ensure improved, flexible and efficient use.


The market-leading VX25 baying


enclosure system has several ergonomically designed features. The new frame section now offers access from all sides as well as inside and outside. It is now possible to fit mounting plates from the back; particularly useful when heavily populated mounting plates are being installed. The additional 20mm installation depth provides more manoeuvre room within the enclosure for particularly deep installations.


12 November 2019


Changing the manufacturing process to reduce manual impact and fatigue The highest proportion of musculoskeletal disorders identified in the 2018 HSE report were found to be caused by heavy lifting and material manipulation. One way to substantially lessen the likelihood of manual strain and damage to employees is to consider introducing further semi- or fully automated tools into the workshop. Rittal Automation Systems (RAS) offers a wide variety of semi-automatic and automated solutions to significantly decrease the required amount of manual handling and material manipulation. Perforex machining centres deliver fully automated, fast, precise and reliable machining - drilling, thread-tapping and milling - of mounting plates, doors, roof plates, side panels, gland plates or complete enclosures. The machines allow optimal handling of all parts and all materials commonly used in panel building - such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and plastic - may be machined very cost and time effectively, with savings of up to 80 per cent. The Perforex LC Laser Centre is a 3D- laser cutting machine designed for the machining of stainless steel and sheet steel, as well as powder-coated metals such as enclosure doors, side panels etc. Spray-finished metal parts are cut without visible paint damage or dis-colouration, and there is no tarnishing of the cut edges when machining stainless steel. It ensures ergonomic working, thanks to the retractable locating surface for enclosure machining. The Perforex LC takes minutes to machine each piece, saving multiple hours of effort and time per enclosure. The Secarex cutting centre is simple and convenient to use. It cuts wiring ducts, cable duct covers and support rails (DIN rails etc) to length quickly, precisely and reliably. It saves time and effort spent on measuring and cutting, plus it eliminates any complicated handling. It lowers cutting waste, delivers significant time savings compared to manual cutting, reducing costs and speeding up the overall process. Easy handling is provided through guides and a built-in automated length stop Semi-automatic wire processing machines are also available, offering length cutting, stripping, as well as combined stripping and crimping. All of these machines expedite and reduce manual repetitive work and strain.


Safe handling equipment The Rittal portfolio of handling equipment offers assembly frames, storage and


Components in Electronics


transportation trolleys, solving both manual handling issues and easing the strains of working in awkward positions. The Rittal functional trolley’s fold-out system allows it to switch from transport function into a convenient work table, making it the ideal solution for assembly technicians and service personnel. It has an integrated seat, high stability and durability and can be used for a maximum load of 20Kg as a handcart and 30Kg as a table. The ergonomically co-ordinated Assemblex frames for the assembly and wiring of mounting plates and enclosures are movable, position lockable and offer adjustable working height from 0.8-1.1m


and tilt angle up to 80°. The most advanced version is adjustable via battery- powered electric motor and can hold a maximum load of 300Kg. Users can incline the assembly frame to allow machining whilst seated which, combined with the other adjustment features, allows the operator to adjust their position and work in optimum comfort.


The ergonomic design of industrial


environments, machines and equipment, as well as their sub-component parts, can have a significant impact on human operator performance. Further information at rittal.co.uk and friedhelm-loh-group.com or on twitter @rittal_ltd.


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Online configurator enables custom enclosures to be bought through distribution


oremost Electronics, the engineering-led Essex based importer and specialist distributor of electromechanical components, celebrates 30 years of Electronic Component sales in the UK in November 2019. One area of particular significance for the company is the design and supply of


enclosures. Standard moulded plastic and cast metal boxes have largely been replaced by more aesthetically pleasing modular enclosures and the world of industry standard 19” racks has been transformed. Industrial control, utilities, instrumentation, test and measurement, rail and transportation equipment all make different demands on enclosures. These include resistance to moisture, dust and vibration, temperature control, EMC shielding, cable access, sub-racks, DIN-Rails and other internal fittings. As a channel partner for nVent Schroff, Foremost offers designers access to the world's 1st Online 3D Sub-rack Configurator and Cad File generator. This comprehensive suite of online tools allows users to configure a bespoke enclosure and sub-rack simply and quickly using the intuitive and smart online design tool. The resultant custom designed enclosure provides the user with a proven solution and all relevant documentation including 30 native CAD files, 2D and 3D drawings and complete bill of materials (BOM). The BOM is then simple to order from Foremost. For less demanding enclosure requirements Foremost Electronics has a micro-site,


enclosures4u giving designers a direct source to standard cases and more complex standard, modified and customised enclosures.


4most.co.uk www.cieonline.co.uk


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