Did You Know?
Did You Know? offers a quick look at the broad scope of activities underway within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Federation of members and partners, highlighting recent accomplishments and new resources related to standardization.
ASME Highlights Seven Rescue Robots Used in Disaster Aftermaths
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has published an article introducing seven "rescue robots" that can be deployed after disasters to assist search and rescue teams in their missions.
These robots have unique capabilities that make them suited for rescue operations in areas that are dangerous or inaccessible by humans. They can enter contaminated areas, work around the clock, and perform repetitive movements without getting tired. These machines can also map disaster sites, deliver medications, and gather pollution data.
Read the ASME article about seven robots performing these important duties, from the "headless cheetah" that can run and jump to locate victims, remove debris, and disassemble structures, to the "advanced cockroach" that can crawl through collapsed tunnels and narrow terrain to search for survivors or inspect contaminated passageways.
USTMA Publishes Industry Sustainability Report
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has released a report on its members' progress and vision for a sustainable tire manufacturing industry in the U.S.
The sustainability report offers highlights of industry accomplishments - 81% of scrap tires went to beneficial end uses in 2017; nearly 90% of U.S. member facilities are certified under ISO 14001, Environmental Management Systems; and member facilities have made an almost 10% reduction in CO2 emissions since 2010; among others. The report also includes areas where the industry aims to progress, such as advancing safety through development of tire technologies such as run-flat, self-sealing, airless, and self-inflating tires.
This is the first report of its kind from the USTMA, containing content from 2016-2018. The organization will update it every two years. See the USTMA news item to learn more and read the free report.
CSA White Paper Outlines Advanced Cyber Threats for Industrial Control Systems
CSA Group, an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has published a new white paper: "Protecting Industrial Control Systems from Advanced Cyber Threats."
The paper offers information on cybersecurity evaluation in the era of smart manufacturing processes, where intelligent machines and systems independently exchange and respond to information to manage production. Readers will learn about:
The rise of automation and the industrial Internet of Things
Risks vs. benefits
Comparing the IT/OT landscape
Common threats and security gaps
Best practices in ICS cybersecurity
Pairing functional safety evaluation and cybersecurity.
Access the full white paper at no cost on CSA's website.
UL White Paper Covers Evaluation of the Field Performance of Windows and Curtain Walls
Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an ANSI member and audited designator, offers all stakeholders access to a free white paper: "Evaluating the Field Performance of Windows and Curtain Walls of Large Buildings."
The paper outlines how curtain walls and windows can be evaluated during the early stages of construction of large buildings to validate as-built designs. Readers will also learn about evaluation during later construction stages that can be used as a quality control measure. The document offers several practical examples that illustrate how large-scale field testing can be used to assess building envelope performance in large buildings. Through this paper, UL strives to increase awareness on the benefits and limitations of field testing in this capacity.
Read more and access the full white paper on UL's website.