Press Brake Safety

New AKAS 3 Press Brake Laser Light Guard

Admin — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:04:09 +0000

10 Year Safety Systems for press brakes - AKAS®- from Fiessler Elektronik

The new AKAS®-3 will be displayed during the Fabtech International 2007 Show in Chicago

The main feature of a Press Brake is to move a tool, usually the upper tool or the bending punch. It moves towards a fixed tool (V-die) which sits on top of bottom bed of the press, consequently bending the metal sheet placed between them. The freely accessible bending area of a press brake represents a major risk of operators getting seriously injured by accidents, such as the injury or the loss of fingers or hands, which are frequently the consequences of accidents that happen at press brakes. Therefore all applicable standards and accident preventing regulations stipulate the use of safety measures or accident preventing measures at press brakes.

In order to prevent accidents, Fiessler Elektronik in Esslingen/Germany has developed the AKAS 3 patented press brake protection system for Original Equipment Manufacturers.

The aim and object of this innovative finger protection device for press brakes is: the prevention of a finger or hand being squeezed between the punch and the inserted sheet metal. This is realized by the optical safety light grid which safeguards the area beneath or in front of the tool. The dangerous movement is stopped as soon as a part of the body reaches into the safety light grid.

Transmitter and receiver are combined securely to the ram of the machine and form a laser-optical safety light grid which is located in front of the bending punch and which moves simultaneously with the ram. When a certain clearance between the tip of the tool and the metal sheet is reached, the machine control issues a muting command to the receiver element. At this point, the closing speed is reduced. For an effective protection of the operators even during slow speed, still more receiver elements are active. Only at the point where reaching into the gap between tool tip and metal sheet is made impossible, the protective function of the unit is no longer required. The bending procedure is now completed despite all beams being interrupted.With the laser-optical safety light grid, the hands remain free for handling the sheet metal during the operation under continuous protection of the extremities for the entire bending process.

AKAS II Automatic Laser Alignment Press Brake Safety Guard

Safety Systems for Press Brakes

Admin — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:01:07 +0000

The characteristic feature of press brakes is to move a tool, usually the upper tool or the bending punch, it moves towards a fixed tool (V-die) which sits on top of bottom bed of the press, consequently bending the metal sheet placed between them. The freely accessible bending area of a press brake represents a serious risk of operators getting seriously injured by accidents, such as the injury or the loss of fingers or hands, which are frequently the consequences of accidents that happen at press brakes.

Therefore all applicable standards and accident preventing regulations stipulate the use of safety measures or accident preventing measures at press brakes.

In order to prevent accidents, Fiessler Elektronik in Esslingen/Germany has developed the patented AKAS-II press brake protection system. The aim and object of this innovative finger protection device for press brakes is: the prevention of a finger or hand being squeezed between the punch and the inserted sheet metal. This is realized by the optical safety light grid which safeguards the area beneath or in front of the tool. The dangerous movement is stopped as soon as a part of the body reaches into the safety light grid.

When a certain clearance between the tip of the tool and the metal sheet is reached, the machine control issues a muting command to the receiver element. At his point, the closing speed is reduced. For an effective protection of the operators even during slow speed, still more receiver elements are active. Only at the point where reaching into the gap between tool tip and metal sheet is made impossible, the protective function of the is no more required. The bending procedure is now completed despite of all beams being interrupted.

With the Laser-optical safety light grid, the hands remain free for handling the sheet metal during the operation under continuous protection of the extremities during the whole bending process.

Götz Fiessler

Reprinted from The Precision Sheet Metal Chronicle, published by ASMA.
Volume 8, Issue 5 - January 2006

Potential Hazards with Press Brakes

Admin — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:42:08 +0000

When the press brake is set-up and running, and your operator is experienced with the sheets and steps involved, it seems like a pretty easy process. The operator is doing fine with the foot pedal and you can go back to taking care of business.

What about the safety of your press brake operator? While you go back to business, there are many ways the skilled operator could become injured. Here are the official guidelines from OSHA:

Although most press brake operations do not require the operators to place their hands or any part of their body into the point of operation, exposure to point of operation injuries still exists. Sometimes as the piece part bends up, a hazard may be created between the part and the front face of the slide.

Operating controls, especially foot pedals, introduce the possibility of accidental cycling.

In forming large pieces, the operator must hold the stock and cycle the press with a foot pedal. As the work stroke begins, the stock will move up or down, creating a hazard.

Power transmission components should be totally enclosed.

The work area should be neat with non-slip floor preparation.

For ultimate safety while operating a press brake, there is always the AKAS II Automatic Press Brake Safety System. With the Fiessler safety laser light guard protecting your operators, you can go back to business with peace of mind.

OSHA Clarification on Laser Guards for Press Brakes

Admin — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:28:16 +0000

March 25, 2004

Mr. John Smith, President
XYZ Engineering, Inc.
PO Box 500
Canton, MA 02021

Dear Mr. Smith:

Thank you for your March 5, 2004 letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Directorate of Enforcement Programs (DEP). This letter constitutes OSHA’s interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any questions not delineated within your original correspondence.

In your letter, you expressed concerns about worker safety and raised questions about the use of laser guarding devices. As you know, OSHA’s mission is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for the Nation’s workers. While OSHA recently stated that the use of laser guarding devices does not inherently violate the machine guarding provisions of 29 CFR 1910.212(a), the Agency provided that the use of a laser guarding device would constitute compliance with the standard only if the device effectively and reliably prevents worker injury by controlling the zone of danger associated with the machinery. Further, the scope of OSHA’s response was limited to hydraulic powered press brakes, and the Agency explicitly expressed reservations with respect to the use of laser guarding devices on other types of machinery/pieces of equipment.

While the Agency has determined that the laser guarding device may be considered an acceptable form of guarding under 1910.212, OSHA also has cautioned employers that guarding systems generally are appropriate only if they are designed, installed, used, and inspected in a manner that will effectively and reliably prevent injury. Thus, OSHA will consider carefully individual laser guarding systems installed in conjunction with hydraulic press brakes to determine whether they effectively and reliably protect employees from point of operation hazards and other equipment-related hazards. While the Agency will provide its inspectors with more specific guidance in the near future, inspectors currently will consider the laser guarding device in isolation, as well as in conjunction with the specific press on which it is installed, to ascertain whether it provides effective and reliable protection under the conditions in which the laser guarding device and the press brake are used at a specific worksite. Employers who are using laser guarding devices in a manner such that they do not work in conjunction with a hydraulic press brake to provide effective and reliable protection are subject to citation under 1910.212.

You expressed concern specifically about the ability of the laser guarding device to timely stop the ram and prevent employee injury. OSHA recognizes that a laser guarding device, which is not capable of always stopping the ram on a press brake prior to contact with a worker’s finger, hand, or other body part, does not provide effective and reliable protection, as required by 1910.212. This is one of the factors that OSHA inspectors will consider when inspecting worksites using laser guarding devices on hydraulic press brakes.

Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. We hope you find this information helpful. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA’s interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA’s website at http://www.osha.gov. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Office of General Industry Enforcement at (202) 693-1850.

Sincerely,

Richard E. Fairfax, Director
Directorate of Enforcement Programs

New AKAS Model II Laser Light Guard

Admin — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:37:32 +0000

Advanced Manufacturing Solutions, LLC is proud to announce the release of the new AKAS Model II laser light guard. The AKAS system, is a patented finger guard with following laser from Fiessler Elektronik , Esslingen, Germany.

The highly regarded and certified system recognized world wide is active throughout the whole bending process while not interrupting production.

The system meets the stringent requirements of category 4 according to EN 954 and prEN 61496 as certified by TUV and holds an EG-type certificate equivalent to level BWS for press brakes.

The AKAS laser protection is considered by OSHA an acceptable form of guarding device for hydraulic press brakes under 29 CFR 1910.211.

The tri-beam laser system is quick and easy to change over for varying sizes of tooling through a patent pending adjusting device.

For more information and complimentary CD contact Advanced Manufacturing Solutions, LLC at 941-637-6660.