Category Archives: REGNER® Academy

“Talent has no age”

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“Talent has no age”

Regner® Editorial Team

Aiguaviva -

22/02/2019

talent-has-no-age

Sílvia Forés

Consultant and HR Director at Baker & McKenzie

According to the study “Agilidad estratégica a través del capital humano” (“Strategic Agility through Human Capital”) by IESE and Meta 4, digital transformation is not a priority with regard to human capital strategy. Against all odds, attracting and keeping the best is the biggest challenge for companies: 28% of HR directors in Spanish companies consider that talent attraction and retention is their biggest challenge, while 20% opt for digital transformation.

In your opinion, which values or philosophy should companies implement to allow for optimal talent development?

Companies should be open to listening and willing to create spaces for ideas and innovation among their employees. The ideal company to achieve that, from my perspective, is one in which staff members are allowed to learn from each other and are empowered by trust. Additionally, talent development requires flexibility because strict control leads to fear, which in turn inhibits talent from thriving.

In your experience, how can one attract millennial talent and those even younger?

Young people are drawn to projects that feel authentic and which have goals that fit their values. . They are especially eager to learn, so mentoring and training opportunities do get a lot of points when choosing a workplace. Autonomy and flexibility are also very attractive.

What role does the management of social networks play on the personal branding of applicants in regard to talent selection and attraction?

On one hand, social networks have made spotting “passive” candidates—that is, those not actively looking for a job—much easier for recruiters. On the other hand, even though recruiters do not keep track of the movements of applicants in their social networks at all times, when applicants get to the final stages of a selection process we do look for coherence between their résumé and the image they convey on those networks. Any applicant conveying an unprofessional image that may put a company’s reputation at risk is unlikely to be recruited.

Will the process of digital transformation undergone by companies cause the focus to shift to the digital skills of applicants?

Obviously, if companies go through digital transformation, they need employees skilled in such environments. Maybe in the future those skills will stop being an asset for job applicants because they will be a given. However, right now they are highly valuable. That said, let’s not forget that those digital skills must go hand in hand with a series of soft skills that are essential if one is to be successful at any given job. Technical proficiency is not enough, and that has been proven again and again.

Talent acquisition will undoubtedly be one of the main priorities in 2019 as a consequence of the increasing competition to find the right employees for complex positions in a context of scarcity. When we talk about talent, we tend to think about people who are successful at a young age. However, talent is a skill that does not have an expiration date.

Sílvia Forés, a well-known expert in the field of human resources, has shown that talent has two sides, one that is innate and one that is acquired over time. That happens because talent is the result of an extraordinary combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes that reaches its peak with experience. In this article, we offer some advice on the relevance of attracting talent and fostering their loyalty, given that proper management makes the difference when it comes to luring and retaining the perfect applicants and leaders for a company.

Sílvia Forés decided to go into human resources hoping to help people in the development of their professional trajectories. Her areas of expertise aretalent, attractionand management, consulting, personnel selection, and headhunting forcompanies.

She has worked for businesses of all sizes in a variety of fields, and she has conducted exclusive selection processes for senior executives as well as talent consulting for excellence-oriented companies.

As a result of her experience, in 2014 she published Sólo puede quedar uno. Diario de un proceso de selección Only one can remain. Diary of a selection proceswhich has become a referent for applicants willing to change jobs. With a realistic and entertaining tone, Forés uses the book to provide some insight into the specific dynamics of selection processes, while offering key advice to avoid failing at crucial moments.

Forés is currently Director of Human Resources at Baker & McKenzie, the largest law firm in the world, and she is in charge of 120 employees in Barcelona.

Considering that retirement age may be raised over the next few years and that one may find more senior talent in companies, how should the challenges of this new paradigm be addressed?

We should act on the basis that talent has no age. I do not understand why talent gets so many labels It is true that workers will be increasingly experienced, and that different generations coexist already within companies. That is why programs of “reverse” mentoring, in which a more experienced generation of employees learns from younger staff, are extremely rewarding I think that any company with an increasingly senior staff will have to take into account their ability to adapt to changes and the training needed to acquire new skills. However, it is not a matter of age as much as it is a matter of seniority, because employees who have held the same position for a long time may act in the same way they have always done without ever questioning anything, and that may lead to losing competitiveness in an age of constant and rapid change.

What incentives do you think can be valuable to an employee, in terms of attracting and retaining talent?

I’ll focus on retention, since we already talked about talent attraction. After over fifteen years in Human Resources, I’ve come to the conclusion that, once salary expectations are reasonably covered, the main reason why people stay at a company is their boss. Finding a person who values you, from whom you can learn, who supports you and trusts you, is key to talent retention. Secondly, I would add a good working environment, which very often determines whether one stays or leaves.

Do you think that the best way to foster and attract talent for a company is to offer employees a space of well-being and health?

It is a factor that will become increasingly important, and, actually, it is already a reality for many companies that have hired services related to health and well-being for their employees. I would say that it is true that, nowadays, that kind of facility attracts talent, but I think that with time it will become a staple. We live in a world full of stress and great professional demands, and companies will need to be able to offer tools that allow their employees to take care of their own health and well-being if they want to keep their productivity levels.

It is clear that retaining talent in a company implies considering different motivations for different generations. Should companies adapt their offer and incentives accordingly?

Yes, exactly, each group of employees will value different things. Younger people may value the opportunity to travel and get training abroad, while employees with families may prefer having flexible working hours to take care of their children. Before making any proposals, directors of Human Resources must analyze the type of employees that make up their staff, so they can offer incentives based on what motivates them. One-size-fits-all policy is not usually the best approach, unless the staff is extremely homogeneous.

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Ingress Protection (IP) rating on linear actuators, all you need to know

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Ingress Protection (IP) rating on linear actuators, all you need to know

Regner® Editorial Team

Aiguaviva -

31/01/2017

ip-protection-linear-actuator
What does it mean for a device to be waterproof, airtight or sealed? Are these adjectives clear enough to determine if you can safely operate a device in harsh conditions? Unfortunately, they actually aren’t. Professional and technical applications need clear-cut information, and this is the reason the Ingress Protection rating (or Degrees of protection) was established by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) in their standard 60529. Junto con pruebas de verificación determinantes como las de seguridad, las de compatibilidad electromagnética y las de fatiga, la prueba de Ingress Protection (protección de entrada) es fundamental para proporcionar a los usuarios información precisa sobre la resistencia de un producto al polvo, a la arena, a la suciedad, a los líquidos y a otros agentes extraños.

The weak point of linear actuators regarding ingress protection (IP)

Different linear actuators need different levels of Ingress Protection, since they are applied in vastly different fields. With outdoor applications that require higher protection becoming incresasingly usual, achieving the appropriate IP rating has become a key point in the mechanical development of linear actuators.

The housing of high-tech linear actuators is made of anodized aluminum—with more structural rigidity and durability than plastic ones—, which solves waterproofing issues. Potential electric problems are taken care of by using high-quality cables and sealed connectors. Thus, only one weak point remains in the whole assembly: the seams. Seals and gaskets are responsible for keeping liquids and solid agents out of the actuator.

At REGNER® we work together with one of the leading gasket manufacturers in Europe to guarantee high Ingress Protection for years. We use gaskets made with state-of-the-art materials and technologies, and, depending on the potential application, they can be rigid (which provide high structural stability and better protection) or flexible (which have better adaptability and functionality).

IMG_GASKETS_01

How to read the IP (Ingress protection) code

According to the IEC, the definition of the degree of protection of an enclosure is threefold. First, it refers to the protection of users against access to dangerous parts of the device. Second, to the protection of the equipment and materials located inside the enclosure from foreign solid bodies. And, finally, to the protection of the inner parts of the device from harmful effects caused by water.

An IP code is formed by two numbers, but it can also include two letters. The first digit of the code (from 0 to 6) is related to the protection of people and the ingress of solid bodies. The second digit (from 0 to 9) is related to the penetration of liquids in the enclosure. When the code only indicates one of these two types of protection, the remaining type is represented with an ‘X’. his does not mean that the device has no protection, it only points out that this information is not relevant or necessary, or that it has not been tested. For example, a linear actuator with an IPX7 rating is a device that can be submerged in water, but there is no information about its protection from solid objects.

Interpretation of the first number of the ingress protection (IP) code

NUMBEREFFECTIVE AGAINSTDESCRIPTIONTEST CONDITIONS
X–Not tested/not applicable.–
0NoneNo protection.–
1> 50 mm | handProtection against solid foreign objects greater than 50 mm, such as the back of a hand.A 50 mm probe pushed with a force of 50 N must have adequate clearance from hazardous parts and must not be able to fully penetrate the item.
2> 12,5 mm | fingerProtection against solid objects greater than 12.5 mm, such as a finger.A standardised 12 mm diameter test finger with a force of 10 N must not be able to fully penetrate the item, and a 12,5 mm sphere with a force of 30 N must have adequate clearance from hazardous parts.
3> 2,5 mm | toolA standardised 12 mm diameter test finger with a force of 10 N must not be able to fully penetrate the item, and a 12,5 mm sphere with a force of 30 N must have adequate clearance from hazardous parts. A 2.5 mm probe in the form of a steel wire and pushed with a force of 3 N must not be able to penetrate the item.
4> 1 mm | wireProtection against solid foreign objects greater than 1.0 mm, such as a wire. A 1 mm probe in the form of a steel wire and pushed with a force of 1 N must not be able to penetrate the item.
5Dust protected Partial protection against dust. The quantities of dust penetrating the device must not damage it, nor prevent its satisfactory performance.A 1 mm probe in the form of a steel wire and pushed with a force of 1 N must not be able to penetrate the item. Furthermore, the device must endure fine-grained circulating talcum powder in a dust chamber for 2- 8 hours without suffering any damage or having safety or performance issues.
6Dust tight Protection against the ingress of a wire and complete protection against dust..A 1 mm probe in the form of a steel wire and pushed with a force of 1 N must not be able to penetrate the item Furthermore, fine-grained circulating talcum powder in a dust chamber for 2- 8 hours must not be able to penetrate the device.

Interpretation of the second number of the ingress protection (IP) code:

NUMBEREFFECTIVE AGAINSTDESCRIPTIONTEST CONDITIONS
X– Not tested / not applicable.–
0NoneNo protection–
1Dripping water Protection against vertically falling drops of water.Dripping water with a flow rate of 1 mm/min for 10 minutes must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
2Dripping water when tilted at 15°Protection against vertically dripping water when the device is tilted at an angle of 15°.With the equipment mounted in four different positions tilted at a 15º angle, dripping water with a flow rate of 3 mm/min for 2.5 minutes at every position must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
3Spraying water Protection against water sprayed at an angle up to 60° from the vertical.

The test can be performed using an oscillating fixture or a spray nozzle. With the oscillating fixture, a water volume of 0.07 l/min per hole is sprayed for 10 minutes. With the spray nozzle, a water volume of 10 l/min is sprayed for 1 min/m2, with a minimum of 5 minutes. In either case, spray must not exceed 60° from the vertical and water must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
4Splashing of water Protection against splashing water from any direction..As for the IPX3, the test can be performed using an oscillating fixture or a spray nozzle. With the oscillating fixture, a water volume of 0.07 l/min per hole is sprayed for 10 minutes. With the spray nozzle, a water volume of 10 l/min is sprayed for 1 min/m2, with a minimum of 5minutes. In either case, spray is projected from all directions and water must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
5Water jets Protection against splashing water from any direction.A jet of water projected from a Ø 6.3 mm nozzle at a distance of 2.5-3 m from the device with a flow rate of 12.5 l/min for 1 min/m2for at least 3 minutes, must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
6Powerful water jetsProtection against strong water jets projected from any angle.A jet of water projected from a Ø 12.5 mm nozzle at a distance of 2.5-3 m from the device with a flow rate of 100 l/min for 1 min/m2,for at least 3 minutes, must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
6K (DIN 40050)Powerful water jets with increased pressureProtection against high-pressure water jets projected from any direction.A jet of water projected from a Ø 6.3 mm nozzle at a distance of 2.5-3 m from the device with a flow rate of 75 l/min for 1 min/m2for at least 3 minutes, must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
7<1 m < depth immersionProtection against temporary immersion in water at a maximum depth of 1 m.The device—placed in its service position—is immersed in water for 30 minutes, with the lowest point of the equipment 1 m below the surface of the water, or the highest point 15 cm below the surface, whichever is deeper. Water must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
8>= 1 m > depth immersionProtection against immersion in water at a greater depth and for a longer period.The device is immersed in water following the duration, depth and conditions agreed upon by the manufacturer and the user. Water must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
9K (DIN 40050)Powerful high-temperature water jetsProtection against high-pressure hot water sprayed from any direction.Water at a temperature of 80 °C projected 0.10-0.15 m from the device with a flow rate of 14-16 l/min and a pressure of 8-10 MPa, for 30 seconds in each of 4 angles (for a total of 2 minutes), must not penetrate the device in such a quantity or position that it prevents satisfactory operation or presents a safety risk.
Furthermore, up to two letters can accompany the two digits in the code: the additional letters (A, B, C, D) and the supplementary letters (f, H, M, S, W). Additional letters (A, B, C, D) indicate the degree of protection of people against access to the dangerous parts of the device. They only can be displayed if the real protection is higher than indicated by the first number of the IP code or when it refers exclusively to protection against dangerous parts. n that case, the first number of the code must be replaced by an ‘X’. Supplementary letters (f, H, M, S, W) provide complementary information.

ADDITIONAL LETTER DESCRIPTION:

LETTERDESCRIPTION
AProtection against access to hazardous parts with the back of a hand.
BProtection against hazardous parts with fingers.
CProtection against tools interfering with hazardous parts.
D Protection against wire entering hazardous parts.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER DESCRIPTION:

LETTERDESCRIPTION
fOil resistant device.
HHigh voltage device.
MDevice moving during water test.
SDevice standing still during water test.
WWeather conditions.

As an example, a linear actuator with an IP54 code is a device that will work properly in an outdoor environment, since it is protected against dust and spraying water, and that has gone through the dust chamber and undergone a water test, as illustrated below.

Thus, the IP code provides the user with exact information about the conditions used to test the product, and it proves it is safe to operate it.

In the past, the IP code has been also used to determine the resistance of the equipment to mechanical impact. In this case, a third IP number indicates this impact resistance. In this case, a third IP number indicates this impact resistance. Nevertheless, the IK rating (EN 62262) is the European standard currently used to refer to this property:

IK rating IKIK00IK01IK02IK03IK04IK05IK06IK07IK08IK09IK10
Impact energy (joules)Not protected0,150,200,350,500,701251020

Let it be noted, finally, that the IP rating is a European standard. In the US, the most commonly used standard is theNEMA, which disposes of very similar tests for the equipment,but requires additional product features and tests, and is thus not an exact equivalent.

NEMAIP Code
1IP20
2IP22
3, 3X, 3S, 3SXIP55
3R, 3RXIP24
4, 4XIP66
5IP53
6IP67

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Optimizing information: product data management

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Optimizing information: product data management

Regner® Editorial Team

Aiguaviva -

15/03/2016

pdm-article

For projects with multiple employees involved, companies need to have a well-organized database to grant the appropriate access, saving, modification, and approval permissions regarding design amendments in a controlled and safe environment. Product Data Management (PDM) software ensures that everyone has access to thelatest versionof a project, but also to its history, so it is possible totrack the evolution of any design from the very start.

Another advantage of PDM systems is that they make working with assemblies easier. Relationships between components are built automatically through their IDs, so that if we rename or relocate a file, the links to other files remain. PDM software also helps reduce unnecessarymemory usage, since it does not allow for duplicates.

The software simplifies the organization of each design into files, it allows for easy management through tracking and advanced searches, and it makes all aspects of each project accessible:

  • The author of the last update
  • What changes were made
  • The stage the project is in

The structure of every new project follows the natural workflow illustrated in the chart below:

First, in the design phase, the product designer creates a file with the initial design that must be checked in to the PDM.

This design is extremely unlikely to be the final version, but by checking the document in the memory we start creating versions whenever a change is saved. Versions are not relevant for the project document-wise, but they allow for follow-ups on the progress of the design and, since checked in files cannot be modified, they also protect us against unintentional changes.

Checked in files also unlock features such as warningmessages regarding possible losses of information or moving files, and it allows users to comment changes in order to identify them in future reviews. The software keeps an automatic register of changes,identifies the users involved, and prevents multiple users from working on the same file simultaneously.

When all changes are applied and accepted, users can approve the latest version, and the PDM system changes the status of the file to‘approved’. This approved file can then be sent to suppliers and customers.

The ‘approved’ status limits modifications. Any further change must start with a modification request, which changes the status of the file to ‘changing’. Similar procedures need to be carried out to change the status to ‘certified’ for products subject to regulations or set standards or to ‘obsolete’ when files become outdated.

To summarize, a PDM system ensures users that documents can’t be altered without leaving a trace, and that no information is lost.It reduces file organizing time, improves productivity, and enhances collaboration. At REGNER®, we rely onSolidworks Enterprise PDM software, which provides us with an extremely useful PDM solution containing a complete history of the design process of every single REGNER® product.

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Actuators 101

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Actuators 101

Regner® Editorial Team

Aiguaviva -

19/02/2016

LINEAR-ACTUATOR-INFOGRAPHICS-1

What is a linear actuator? How does a linear actuator work? What are the uses and applications of linear actuators? How do I know which linear actuator is the right one? At REGNER®, we design and manufacture some of the most advanced and finest linear actuators in the market, so over the last 25 years we have learned a thing or two about linear motion. Next, we give you answers to some of the questions you may have concerning linear actuators.

Linear Actuator Assembly

Advantages of using linear actuators

A linear actuator is essentially a device that produces motion in a straight line. Mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrohydraulic actuators are all used, but electric linear actuators—that is, devices that transform electric power into a linear movement—are the most popular. The success of electric actuators is due to their unique characteristics:

  • Quiet and clean
  • Precise
  • Cost-effective and energy-efficient
  • Safe operation
  • Easy control and electronic programming
  • Simple installation and assembly
  • Compact dimensions
  • No maintenance

Furthermore, actuators are highly configurable devices.. Speed, stroke, dimensions or load, among other features, can be adjusted to fit virtually any application. Fields as diverse as industrial automation, construction, the automotive, household equipment or health care equipment industries, machine tools, and computer peripherals use electric linear actuators to generate motion.

How does an electric linear actuator work?

A gearmotortransforms electric power into circular motion. Motion drives a spindle to a nut, which is attached to a rod. The motion is thus converted from rotary (spindle) to linear (nut).

To make sure actuators can be used in all kinds of assemblies, they present different types of rod ends (mounting holes, clevis brackets, screws, t-slots). Actuators may also present integrated overcurrent protection systems that cut current off in case of obstruction or excessive load, and the device components are protected from dust or water with sturdy housingsand reliable sealing. Connectors, cable lengths, and mounting brackets are all customized depending on the purpose of each specific actuator.

Motorposition is one of the most relevant features in actuators. The motor can be installed perpendicular to the spindle axis (with an additional intermediate gear that transfers force) or in line to the spindle axis (hence in-line actuators). This configuration reduces the overall dimension of the actuator and is perfect for installations with space limitations and elegant designs.

How to choose the right linear actuator

Choosing the right actuator for an application enhances the final product value and increases efficiency while reducing costs. If you are unsure about which linear actuator to choose, consider each of the following elements.

  1. Force (load). The amount of strength (in Newtons) required for the actuator to work properly. It is determined by the weight of the object you are moving (that is, the load held by the actuator), the transmission angle, the torque, and the friction. It is extremely important to be precise in this point to optimize the configuration. Overestimating force requirements will result in a slower actuator, or an oversized one that will impact costs and weight. On the contrary, underestimating the requirements can cause overloads or a shorter service life.
  2. Speed. The rate at which the linear actuator must move (in millimeters per second). Additionally, force and speed are directly related to power (Power = Force · Speed), so based on these two values you can also calculate the approximate motor power you will need.
  3. Stroke. The distance that the load must travel, usually measured in millimeters. Stroke has a direct bearing on the overall dimensions of the actuator.
  4. Retraction length (center to center). The distance between the two mounting holes when the rod is completely retracted. This measurement is essential to plan the integration of the device into the assembly, and it must be established considering the length of the stroke.
  5. Power supply. Choose between Direct Current (DC) or Alternative Current (AC), and determine voltage (in Volts) and, if necessary, electric current (in Amperes).
  6. Duty Cycle. The percentage of time in which the actuator can be active, relative to a whole period. For example, an actuator that is in motion for 2 minutes out of 20 has a duty cycle of 10%.
  7. Environment. The actuator will need a greater or lower protection degree depending on its operating environment. A low ingress protection (IP) grade will be acceptable for indoor applications, while outdoor applications or environments exposed to dust or water will require a higher IP rating.
  8. Added features. Depending on the final application, an actuator should be equipped with extra features such as limit switches, position feedback devices, control boxes or controllers.
  9. Connectors and brackets. Cable lengths, connectors, mounting holes, rod end types, brackets, and housing colors must be specified to ensure perfect assembly integration.
  10. Assistance. If you still have any doubts or need further information, please contact us.
ACTUATOR-VERTICAL

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