CE and Old Machines

[sreid]

We have sold precision lathes for turning contact lenses in Europe for years. We now design and build our equipment for CE requirements but we periodically get requests to "Upgrade" older lathes to meet CE requirements. Since many of the lathes are 10 to 20 years old, we have no idea what to do.

Does anyone know what the rules are for old equipment. This must come up all the time for legacy equipment.

 

[Ashereng]

In my industry, old installations are often "grandfathered". I you don't change it, it's okay. Maintenance is okay.

Adding a part, changing a design, changing a part, not okay. If you do that, you need to go all the way and make it compliant under current standards.

Typcially, we either repair in kind, thus maintaining the grandfather clause, or we rip it all out and install new.

 

[waross]

What is the typical equipment on a lathe? I assume a motor would be a major part. Is it a special integral motor or an easily changed belt drive. Is there more than one motor? What control equipment is usually found on an old lathe and what control equipment does a new lathe have? In your opinion, is the precision of the older lathes adequate for todays standards? Does the pricing of a new machine make refurbishing old machines attractive?
My approach would be to change out all the electrics and electronics with new, approved packages, but I have no idea if this is practical.
yours

 

[logbook]

Ashereng is correct for electrical work too. If you repair equipment that is fine. If you refurbish it then you are lumbered with bringing it all up to modern CE standards. Basically if the machine would pass current safety standards when upgraded then the job is done. Upgrading a 60 year old lathe with rubber-clad insulation is one thing but 10 year old equipment should have good wiring anyway. However you still have the machinery directive to take into account. Does the motor burst into flames when the rotor is locked or does it fail gracefully? Does the machine rip your arms off if you get caught in it or not? Is there a safety cutout switch? New machines must go through a type approval scheme, perhaps with a safety checklist. Use the same checklist on the refurbished/upgraded machines.