Improved Detect-A-Finger Drop-Probe Device Help Operators Avoid Finger and Hand Injuries

Press Release Summary:

• Used on riveters, eyeletters, stakers, staplers, crimpers and fastening machines and protect the operator's fingers from point-of-operation hazards by utilizing drop probes
• Integrates with keyed aluminum drop-shaft clamp minimizes unplanned downtime and creating a safer work environment
• Meet Category 2 compliance for guarding device and reduce the potential for operators bypassing their guarding

Original Press Release:

With New and Improved Features, Rockford Systems' Detect-A-Finger® Gen II Offers Riveting and Welding Machine Operators Improved Safety

Next Generation features higher safety rating

ROCKFORD, IL, AUGUST 2, 2019 -- Rockford Systems, a premier provider of machine safeguarding and combustion safety solutions, today launched the next generation of its Detect-A-Finger® drop-probe device to better safeguard riveting and welding machinery to help operators avoid finger and hand injuries.

"Ensuring the safety of machinery operators has always been Rockford System's top priority," said Paul Schneider, Director of Engineering and Operations. "By incorporating newly engineered safety solutions into the Detect-A-Finger, Rockford Systems is protecting operators better than ever."

The Detect-A-Finger Gen II (RKC008 and RKC009) supports new safety-enhancing features and ensures that operators can meet production needs with upgrades such as increasing the stroke to 1.85", unified right- and left-handed operation, a pre-punched enclosure to achieve faster electrical connections, and a soft drop-probe rod for accurate template development, prior to forming the steel drop probe. This enhanced design will meet compliance requirements for a Category 2 guarding device and reduce the potential for operators bypassing their guarding.

The Detect-A-Finger® Gen II devices are used on small machines, such as riveters, eyeletters, stakers, staplers, crimpers and fastening machines, to help protect the operator's fingers from point-of-operation hazards by utilizing drop probes. Drop-probe devices work by gravity. When a probe drops and encounters a finger or workpiece in its way, the probe will not complete its downward travel and the machine will not start a cycle or stroke. A spring returns the probe to its starting or up position. The integration of a keyed aluminum drop-shaft clamp and a hexagonal, rigid steel drop probe into the Gen II significantly improves the reliability of the operation, therefore minimizing unplanned downtime and creating a safer work environment. Also added were redundant switches and a two-hand safety relay that detects faults in the device's two-hand controls, wiring, and contactors safety circuits.

To make retrofitting older models quick and easy, the Gen II features the identical mounting pattern as the original model, creating a "drop-in" solution that is simple to deploy. Rockford Systems also offers a new drop-probe kit (FCT057), that includes one soft aluminum rod to aid in creating a template prior to forming the tougher steel hex probe.

For more information, call 1-800-922-7533 or visit HERE.

ABOUT ROCKFORD SYSTEMS, LLC

Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, Rockford Systems LLC delivers industrial plant safety solutions for organizations using metalworking, automation, material handling or thermal processing in their operations. Since 1971, Rockford Systems has specialized in the design and installation of over 25,000 safeguarding solutions for industrial fabrication equipment and manufacturing systems that exceed applicable safety regulations and standards.

Rockford Systems offers trusted industrial turnkey safeguarding solutions including scalable assessments, audits and inspections, training and education, consulting and policy development, and over 10,000 safeguarding products. Rockford Systems also provides turnkey combustion safety solutions including assessments and inspections, as well as standardized and customized valve safety trains. These extensive risk reduction solutions enable organizations to dramatically improve compliance and worker safety while maintaining productivity.

For more information, please visit http://www.rockfordsystems.com or call 1-800-922-7533.