System prevents accidental lock-in.
Press Release Summary:
Entry Safe prevents closing of machinery access doors while operator is still inside, preventing start-up of machine by inhibiting operation of switching mechanism. It can also stop door from unintentionally shutting behind personnel entering potentially hazardous spaces. Unit retrofits to existing door frames and is compatible with hinged and sliding doors. It may be used in conjunction with hinge, magnet, coded, reed, and non-contact switches.
Original Press Release:
Simple System Prevents Accidental Lock-In
(Erlanger, KY) - Castell Interlocks has developed a simple, cost-effective device to prevent the accidental or malicious closing of machinery access doors while an operator is still inside a dangerous area. The Entry Safe prevents the start-up of a machine by inhibiting the operation of the tongue switch or similar mechanism. Alternatively, it can be used in a more direct way; for instance, to stop a slam door from unintentionally shutting behind personnel entering a cold storage room or similar potentially-hazardous space.
The Entry Safe is easily retrofitted to existing door frames and is compatible with both hinged and sliding doors. Aside from tongue switches, it can be used in conjunction with hinge, magnet, coded or reed switches, and even non-contact switches.
Under normal working conditions, the access door is closed, the tongue switch engaged and the machine running normally. When access is required, the operator opens the door, thereby breaking the switch's contacts and stopping the machine. Before gaining access, the operator turns the key in the Entry Safe, which causes a lever to extend towards the door's hinges and thus prevent the door from closing. The operator then removes the key and retains it for the whole of the period spent inside the dangerous area. Only when the key is re-inserted into the Entry Safe can the lever be retracted, the door closed, the switch re-engaged and the machine re-started.
The Entry Safe is available in multiple-key options, enabling teams of mechanical, electrical and CNC engineers to carry out safe and simultaneous machine maintenance.
