How can you be sure that a control panel you are purchasing from a builder meets the quality standard you need?  After all, it needs to be built both correctly but more importantly, safely.  As the need for companies to be in compliance continues to grow due to the evolution of industrial automation, so does the need for high quality control panels.  The industry’s answer to this need is the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) 508A Industrial Control Panel Shop Program.

Designed to improve the safety of the control panels being built along with their proper installation, the standard also applies to operator stations and motor controllers.

According to UL, its Industrial Control Panel Program covers multiple requirements such as:

• Proper component usage
• Enclosure environmental ratings
• Wiring and motor protection
• Safety markings
• Conformance to the National Electric Code and Canadian Electrical Code

The UL 508A Standard also lists components and how they should be used, however there are exceptions that accompany the use of some components. One exception concerns the location of the component to ensure they do not operate in a hazardous location such as:

• An explosion-proof enclosure marked for Class I hazardous locations
• A dust-ignition-proof enclosure marked for Class II hazardous locations
• A barrier or other equipment that provides intrinsically safe input/output connections for use in Class I, II and III hazardous locations.

It’s important to be aware of this standard as it does exist for a good reason, to ensure the safe, proper building of these control panels. As usage continues to grow, so does the risk without a standard.

I broke down the UL 508A standard more in depth last year in Processing Magazine.  I encourage you to take a look if you’d like to read more. 

Click on the following link to learn more about Valin's UL 508A Control Panels.

To speak to one of our control panel experts call (855) 737-4718 or fill out our online form and one of our technical specialists will get back to you.
 

In industrial automation, preventive maintenance is crucial for minimizing downtime and extending the lifespan of machinery. Mitsubishi Electric offers advanced diagnostic functions for mechanical drive components and servo amplifiers to ensure optimal machine performance.

Preventive Maintenance

Machine Diagnosis (Mechanical Drive Components): This function predicts machine failure based on the total travel distance of the servo motor. It notifies users when it is time for component replacement if the rated service life is set.

Servo Amplifier Life Diagnosis: Tracks cumulative energization time and inrush relay on/off times. This data serves as a rough guide for checking the service life of parts like smoothing capacitors and cooling fans.

Corrective Maintenance

Drive Recorder: Continuously monitors and records servo status transitions, such as conditions before and after alarms. This data helps analyze the cause of alarms using MR Configurator2, displaying monitor values, waveform history, system configuration, and servo parameters.

Connection/Communication Diagnosis

Disconnection Detection: Detects input and output open-phase issues in servo amplifiers, distinguishing these alarms from others to expedite system restoration. MR-J5D-G4 drive units support output open-phase detection.
 

Servo Motor Incorrect Wiring Detection: Multi-axis servo amplifiers (MR-J5W2-G/MR-J5W3-G) detect incorrect servo motor connections and provide protection by matching encoder capacity information with connected servo motors.
 

Encoder Communication Diagnosis: Checks the encoder communication circuit in the servo amplifier, useful for identifying errors like disconnected encoder cables.
 

By leveraging these advanced diagnostic functions, Mitsubishi Electric ensures robust predictive and preventive maintenance, enhancing machine reliability and reducing operational costs. Stay tuned to our blog for more insights into advanced automation solutions.
 

For More Information:

• MELSERVO-J5 Series Servo Amplifier from Mitsubishi

If you have any questions or are just looking for some help, we're happy to discuss your application with you.  Reach out to us at (855) 737-4716 or fill out our online form. 

In the rapidly evolving world of industrial automation, predictive maintenance is key to minimizing downtime and maximizing efficiency. Mitsubishi Electric’s cutting-edge AI technology, Maisart, integrated with their servo amplifiers, provides a robust solution for predictive maintenance, helping detect early signs of machine failure.

Ball Screws Diagnosis

Mitsubishi Electric introduces a ball screw machine diagnosis function that monitors friction and vibration to predict potential failures. By employing statistical algorithms, the system sets automatic failure warning limits. This proactive approach allows users to prepare necessary parts before a failure occurs, significantly reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Dynamic friction states of the ball screws are sent to the host management PC via CC-Link IE TSN, ensuring seamless and efficient maintenance planning.

Function:

• Monitors friction and vibration to predict failure.

Process: 

• A failure warning limit is automatically generated based on statistical algorithms.
• An alarm is activated upon signs of failure, enabling preparation before failure.

Benefit: 

• Allows you to prepare necessary parts before failure.
• Reduces Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Notifications via CC-Link IE TSN.
   

Belts Diagnosis

The belt machine diagnosis function focuses on detecting tension reduction in belt-based systems, such as automated warehouse machines. It estimates the tension in real time and sends maintenance notifications when a reduction is detected. This function helps reduce periodic maintenance costs and prevents unexpected machine failures by allowing timely belt adjustments and replacements.

Function:

• Detects tension reduction in belt-based systems.

Process:

• Measure the tension at startup.
• Estimates real-time tension.
• An alarm is activated upon signs of failure, enabling preparation before failure.

Benefit:

• Reduces periodic maintenance costs.
• Prevents machine failures.

Gears Diagnosis

For gear-based systems, Mitsubishi Electric offers a gear machine diagnosis function. This system sets initial gear ratios and normal backlash values, periodically estimating backlash with a dedicated tool to detect signs of failure. Early warnings enable users to prepare necessary parts before a gear failure, ensuring continuous and reliable machine operation.

• Function: 
  • Monitors gear ratios and backlash values.
• Process:
  • Initially set a gear ratio and a normal backlash value.
  • Measures the current backlash.
  • Periodically estimates backlash using a dedicated tool to predict failure.
  • An alarm is activated upon signs of failure, enabling preparation before failure.
• Benefit: 
  • Provides early warnings.
  • Allows for preparation of necessary parts before gear failure.

Conclusion

Mitsubishi Electric’s Maisart AI technology provides a comprehensive predictive maintenance solution that enhances machine reliability and reduces operational costs. By enabling timely maintenance and replacement of parts, this innovative technology ensures optimal performance and longevity of industrial machinery.

 Stay tuned to our blog for more insights into advanced automation solutions and how they can benefit your operations.

For More Information:

• MELSERVO-J5 Series Servo Amplifier from Mitsubishi

If you have any questions or are just looking for some help, we're happy to discuss your application with you.  Reach out to us at (855) 737-4716 or fill out our online form.

Mitsubishi Electric’s unique AI technology, Maisart, enables predictive maintenance and monitors operation status through servo amplifiers that detect early signs of machine failure.

Ball Screws Diagnosis:

• Function: Monitors friction and vibration to predict failure.

Process:
 

• A failure warning limit is automatically generated based on statistical algorithms.
• An alarm is activated upon signs of failure, enabling preparation before failure.

Benefit:

• Allows you to prepare necessary parts before failure, reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), with notifications via CC-Link IE TSN.
   

Belts Diagnosis:

• Function: Detects tension reduction in belt-based systems.
• Process:
  • Measure the tension at startup.
  • Estimates real-time tension.
  • An alarm is activated upon signs of failure, enabling preparation before failure.
• Benefit: Reduces periodic maintenance costs and prevents machine failure.
   

Gears Diagnosis:

• Function: Monitors gear ratios and backlash values.
• Process:
  • Initially set a gear ratio and a normal backlash value.
  • Measures the current backlash
  • Periodically estimates backlash using a dedicated tool to predict failure.
  • An alarm is activated upon signs of failure, enabling preparation before failure.
• Benefit: Provides early warnings, allowing for preparation of necessary parts before gear failure.
   

These predictive maintenance solutions help reduce TCO by enabling timely maintenance and replacement of parts, ensuring continuous and efficient machine operation.

If you have any questions or are just looking for some help, we're happy to discuss your application with you.  Reach out to us at (855) 737-4716 or fill out our online form.