2001: Expect a Busy Year of New ANSI Standards
Three New ANSI Machine Tool Standards, Many Others Revised

By Joe Lazzara, President & CEO, Scientific Technologies Inc

The year 2001 is slated to be a busy year for machine tool users and builders who make use of the ANSI B11 standards. This year’s schedule expects three brand new standards and one new technical report. In addition, seven existing standards will be revised and published during 2001.

ANSI Standards Revision Process
Before reviewing this year’s lineup in detail, a further explanation of the ANSI periodic review and revision process used for standards would be helpful. This procedure requires that within five years of the initial standard’s publication date, a subcommittee must begin a review of the standard and decide whether revisions are needed. Essentially, the subcommittee has three options: it may either choose to revise, reaffirm or withdraw the standard. A specific timetable is set, so the game clock is ticking.

While "revise" or "withdraw" are self-explanatory, "reaffirming’ a standard requires additional information. Reaffirmation means the standard remains substantially unchanged, except for the minor typographical correction. The standard is designated with the letter "R" with the year in parenthesis. For example, ANSI B11.19-1990 (R97) was originally published in 1990 and reaffirmed in 1997.

The New Standards
The three new ANSI standards expected to be published during 2001:

B11.22 Numerically Controlled Turning Machines
B11.23 Machining Centers
B11.24 Transfer Machines

All three of these new proposed standards are undergoing final edits now, so expect to be able to purchase these documents later this year.

New Technical Report
Certain ANSI publications take the form of a Technical Report and are designated with the letters "TR". These documents are not to be considered standards – the material contained within is informational and instructional in nature. Technical Reports will often contain annexes, located at the end of the document, which are used for further clarifications and illustrations.

The newest Technical Report will be B11 TR4 – Programmable Electronic Systems (PES). These are systems used for control, protection or monitoring, such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and which contain one or more programmable electronic devices.

Revised Standards for 2001
Perhaps of even greater interest to some readers are the new revisions of ANSI B11 Machine Tool standards currently in use. As the revised standards go into effect, machine tool users and builders may make changes in procedures, operating and maintenance methods and new machine designs in order to conform to the latest versions.

The seven standards, which are scheduled for new revisions and should be published in 2001, include:

Designation	Title	Year Last Revised
B11.1	Mechanical Power Presses	1988
B11.3	Power Press Brakes	1982
B11.6	Lathes	1984
B11.8	Drilling, Milling and Boring	1983
B11.11	Gear Cutting Machines	1985
B11.15	Pipe, Tube and Shape Bending Machine	1984
B11.19	Safeguarding Methods	1990

As you can tell from last revised date, all of these have been reaffirmed at least once. Several would appear to be "overdue" for revision. This would imply that the older the standard is, the more likely the changes will be substantial.

New Subcommittees Forming
The ANSI standards process is one of continuing improvement, assessment and development. These procedures that guide this process require a seemingly constant stream of subcommittee formation and evolvement. For standards to be reviewed and subsequently revised in 2002 and 2003, new subcommittees must be formed this year. The B11 standards, which are in this category, would include:

Designation	Title	Last Revised In
B11.4	Shears	1993
B11.5	Iron Works	1988
B11.10	Sawing Machines	1990
B11.13	Automatic Screw/Bar and Chucking Machines	1992
B11.14	Coil Slitting Machines	1996
B11.17	Horizontal Hydraulic Extrusion Presses	1996
B11.18	Coil Processing Systems	1997
B11.20	Manufacturing Systems/Cells	1991

These subcommittees are an excellent chance for an individual to become involved in the standards development process and make a positive contribution to the industry. If you are a user, builder, installer or designer of the relevant machine tools and would like to join a subcommittee, please contact David Felinski, Safety Director, Association of Manufacturing Technology (AMT), telephone 703-893-2900, fax 703-893-1151; e-mail: AMT@mfgtech.org.

The ANSI B11 standards are available for sale from AMT. The order telephone number is 800-524-0475. Standards cost $40.00 each in single quantities. A discount is given to AMT member companies.

In the meantime, be safe out there!

"Lazzara on Safeguarding" is a monthly column written for Plantautomation.com and Safetyonline.com

Joseph J. Lazzara is President and CEO of Scientific Technologies, Inc ("STI"), the largest provider of automation safeguarding solutions in North America.

Joe began his career with Hewlett Packard in 1973 where he had responsibility for safety and environmental issues for one of HP's largest divisions. After several other positions at HP in environmental, process and engineering management, Lazzara joined Scientific Technologies, Inc. (STI) in 1981 as Vice President and became President in 1989 and then
President and CEO in 1993.

He has a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering degree from Purdue University and a Masters in Business Administration degree from Santa Clara University.

Joe is the Chairman of the Safety, Health and Environmental Committee for the Association of Manufacturing Technology (AMT). He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the American Electronics Association (AEA), the nation's largest high-tech trade association.