We were recently approached by a company who had imported a new machine from Asia.
They were concerned that the distance between the light curtains and the hazard zone may be insufficient.
After looking through the minimal documentation that was supplied with the machine, the light curtains do not appear to have any certification and the ‘safety’ logic is performed by a standard PLC.
The manual is sparse, the electrical drawings are poor and there is no Declaration of Conformity with the machine.
When purchasing machinery, it is important that you carryout due diligence on the manufacturer and the machine by performing a CE Audit at the FAT before the machine is shipped. This allows any non-compliances to be addressed before the machine arrives at your facility. If you do not have the skills inhouse to perform the necessary checks, then seek support from a machinery safety specialist.
It is not ideal to learn about the non-compliances during a PUWER assessment, as in most instances, the end-user will be the one picking up the bill to rectify the non-compliances.
There are some very good Asian manufacturers, you just need to do your homework before purchase and again before the machine is shipped, ideally during the FAT.
In the 90’s, I was walking around a market in Bangkok and there was a sign at the entrance declaring ‘All that glitters is not gold’. Do your due diligence to ensure your new machine is gold and not just a cardboard box painted gold.
