Best practice Avio, a leader in the development of propellants for the aerospace industry, chose Minebea Intec to ensure its manual batching instrumentation complied with the new ATEX standards.Key facts Avio's manual batching equipment is required to comply with the European ATEX directive, in order to operate in spaces with an explosive atmosphere. When ATEX standards were updated, Minebea Intec stepped in and provided innovative parts for its manual batching system. Application Minebea Intec provided two ATEX-certified platform scales and weight indicators and an additional controller for the safe zone operated by a bespoke customized software solution. Products ■ Weighing platforms Combics® ■ Weight controller Maxxis 5 Benefits for the customer ■ Compliance with new ATEX standards ■ High connectivity with existing systems Customer Italy-based Avio is a leader in the production of propulsion systems and components for civilian and military aircrafts, employing 5,200 staff worldwide. In the space sector, Avio is Europe's largest civilian satellite launching enterprise and a contributor to the Ariane Space Programme.

Project goal and implementation As a producer of propellants for the aerospace industry, Avio is required to comply with the ATEX health and safety standards for electrical and mechanical equipment operating in environments with an explosive atmosphere. The ATEX directive has a detailed risk-based classification for work spaces and covers explosions from gases and solid dust. Following a routine internal audit, Avio discovered that the manual batching instrumentation currently in use was not compliant with the recently-updated requirements. Avio had worked with Minebea Intec previously for the...