Press machine
Application of Safety Light Curtains on Presses
I. Introduction
As a commonly used piece of equipment in industrial production, presses play an important role in numerous fields such as metalworking and plastic product molding. However, during operation, presses pose significant safety risks. If operators inadvertently extend their hands or other body parts into hazardous areas, they can easily suffer serious accidents. Safety light curtains, as an advanced safety protection device, can effectively reduce the safety risks associated with press operations and provide operators with reliable safety protection.
II. Description of Real-World Application Scenarios
(1) Installation Layout
Safety light curtains typically consist of two main components: a transmitter and a receiver. They are installed along the edges of hazardous areas on presses, such as the material feed and discharge ports of molds. The transmitter and receiver are positioned in corresponding alignment with each other, forming a dense network of infrared beams that completely covers the entire hazardous operating area. During installation, it is crucial to ensure that the height, angle, and positioning of the light curtain are accurate and precise, so that the beam coverage is both complete and reliable, while also not interfering with the normal operation of the press.
(2) Normal Operating Condition
When the press is operating normally and no objects enter the detection area of the safety light curtain, the infrared beam emitted by the transmitter can be smoothly received by the receiver. At this point, the safety light curtain is in normal working condition, and the press can carry out stamping operations according to the pre-set program. Throughout this process, the safety light curtain continuously monitors the status of the hazardous area, providing ongoing protection for the operator's safety.
(3) Implementation Process of Security Protection
Once an object—such as an operator’s hand or body—enters the detection area of the safety light curtain, some of the infrared beams will be blocked, and the receiver will no longer be able to detect the corresponding beam signals. Upon detecting this beam blockage, the safety light curtain immediately transmits a signal to the press’s control system.
Upon receiving a signal from the safety light curtain, the press control system reacts swiftly and immediately stops the press’s stamping action. For example, if the slide is in the downward stroke, it will halt instantly and remain at its current position, thereby preventing any harm to objects that have entered the hazardous area. At the same time, the safety light curtain also activates the corresponding alarm device—such as an audible and visual alarm—emitting an alert signal to remind operators to pay attention to safety.
(4) Resume normal operations
When the operator moves the object out of the safety light curtain’s detection zone, the infrared beam resumes normal transmission, and the receiver once again receives the complete beam signal. The safety light curtain then feeds this signal back to the press control system. After the press control system confirms that the danger has been eliminated, the operator can press the reset button on the control panel to resume normal operation of the press and continue with the stamping process.
Three, ENT Advantages of using safety light curtains on presses
(1) High sensitivity
ENT Safety light curtains can quickly and accurately detect the entry of even tiny objects. Even if small body parts, such as an operator’s fingers, enter the hazardous area, the safety protection mechanism can be triggered promptly, effectively preventing safety accidents from occurring.
(2) Fully certified
As the first in China to simultaneously pass Cat.4、 PL e 、 Type 4 、 SIL 3 The grating with certification boasts industry-leading safety performance.
(3) Easy to install and maintain
The installation process for safety light curtains is relatively simple—just secure the transmitter and receiver in appropriate positions and perform some basic adjustments. At the same time, their maintenance costs are low; all that’s required on a daily basis is regular cleaning and inspection to ensure that the light curtain surface is free of dirt and damage, thereby guaranteeing its proper operation.
(4) High Reliability
Safety light curtains feature high stability and reliability, employing advanced optical technologies and signal-processing algorithms. The light curtains... ≤20ms The internal signal is sent to the press control system for emergency braking. IP Reach the level of IP65 It can effectively resist external interference such as dust, oil stains, light, and electromagnetic interference, ensuring normal operation in a variety of complex industrial environments.
(5) Easy to install and maintain
The installation process for safety light curtains is relatively simple—just secure the transmitter and receiver in appropriate positions and perform some basic adjustments. At the same time, their maintenance costs are low; all that’s required on a daily basis is regular cleaning and inspection to ensure that the light curtain surface is free of dirt and damage, thereby guaranteeing its proper operation.
IV. Summary
The fourth-level certification for safety light curtains is not the end point—it’s a new starting point for safety standards.
ENT The application of safety light curtains on presses provides a reliable and efficient solution for ensuring the safe operation of these machines. By continuously monitoring the press’s hazardous areas, safety light curtains can promptly detect and prevent operators from entering these dangerous zones, thereby effectively reducing the incidence of safety accidents and safeguarding the lives and health of operators. At the same time, their advantages—such as high sensitivity, non-contact detection, high reliability, and ease of installation and maintenance—also offer strong support to enterprises in enhancing production efficiency and lowering production costs.