28 May 2019 The evolution of the Automotive sector and FIAM’s response at the Nuremberg fair

Machine manufacturers must refer to the European standards linked to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC for anything related to prevention of musculoskeletal disorders caused by frequent repetitive movements.

We often hear about Industry 4.0. But what is this term referred to?

The Industry 4.0 plan aims to promote a new stage of the digitalization of industries that should lead to a growth in productivity and to a cost reduction. With the term Industry 4.0 therefore, we refer to a series of changes in production.

POKA-YOKE is a Japanese term. But which is its real meaning? It is used to indicate a design choice or apparatus that imposes restrictions on how an operation can be carried out to force the user to do so correctly. This composite word literally means “avoid (yokeru) careless mistakes (poka)”.

“Developing the industrial assembly station for Industry 4.0 environment” is the title of the seminar that was held by Fiam at its premises in Vicenza on 5 December. The director of Industria Italiana magazine, Filippo Astone, has moderated the work. The seminar has been a training occasion for production companies wishing to improve their assembly processes to achieve enhanced productivity and competitiveness by using strategies that involve the adequate design of flexible production systems, the study of machine tending logics and the provision of tightening stations with a view towards the use of new robot technologies.

Friday 16 November was the date for the ninth edition of PMI Day, held in Vicenza. The national event, organised by the Piccola Industria Committee [Small Business] of Confindustria Vicenza, focused this year on the fight against counterfeiting. Fiam began taking part in this initiative a few years ago, to help promote the business culture in its local area.

We often take it for granted that all products available in the European market meet the requirements of EU safety directives, but this is not always the case and hazardous situations are frequently encountered, even in the industrial arena, putting operator safety at risk.

For instance, when we talk about electric tightening systems, it is worth remembering that any such systems put on the European market are required to meet the following directives:

EMC directive: 2014/30/EU relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC);
Machinery Directive: 2006/42/EC relating to product safety.

“Developing the industrial assembly station for Industry 4.0 environment” is the title of the new seminar to be held by Fiam at its premises in Vicenza on 5 December.

The seminar, sponsored by the Veneto Region, is part of the planned activities for business internationalisation and aims to offer industrial partners knowledge and experience on themes associated with the concept of Industry 4.0 within the framework of strategies for competitive development in globalised environments.

Ergonomics and safety have always been vital and indispensable themes for every productive reality since safer, well-ordered productive lines and plants with proper spaces and lower risk work stations bring to greater added value operating methods with more competitive labor and finished product costs, besides to a work quality fundamental to the worker’s health.

The machines for the packaging sector are numerous, they can perform multiple functions and differ according to the application sector. Consequently, also the manufacturing features of the internal components, such as moving parts, i.e. pneumatic motors – must respect certain characteristics.