×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

IP69K Pushbuttons

IP69K Pushbuttons

IP69K Pushbuttons

(OP)
I'm currently redesigning an operator panel for a pharmaceutical machine that has had a long history of problems with the push buttons, pilot lights and selector switches. Looking for some real world recommendations for a bullet proof replacement.
I've used Tele ZB4 switches in the past, with great results, but not in this environment. Not sure if I should stick with Tele, but add a silicone/neoprene boot or go with a different manufacturer. The Schmersal IP69K looks interesting, but if anyone has some input from actual use of them, or another manufacturer, I'd appreciate any comments.

RE: IP69K Pushbuttons

Years ago when I built control panels, I had a client that made spice mixing and blending equipment. Anyone who has had involvement with the spice industry will likely attest to the fact that many spices are extremely corrosive, especially to things like electrical equipment. If that dust penetrates anywhere, it's all over quickly.

We had a LOT of trouble with push buttons being the favorite port of entry, probably because they were being flexed and abused a lot every day. We tried almost everything we could find, it all failed in varying lengths of time, until we tried EPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber) caps available at the time only from Allen Bradley. They were perfect, zero failures. We were using 30mm devices, sounds like you might be using 22mm, but it would be worth checking into whether those caps are available in 22mm, I know they still are in 30mm.

Full disclosure, I now work for Rockwell, who is now A-B, but for a different division. I no longer have a direct connection to push buttons, I just remembered that experience from my past life.

"Will work for (the memory of) salami"

RE: IP69K Pushbuttons

I would recommend you look into vandal proof switches. They need to completely transcend the mere wear and liquids issues to deliver vandal proofness. Some have no moving parts. Makes them kind of hard to "wear out"

Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources