Safety Light Curtain Applications in Stamping Equipment
Safety light curtains (also known as safety light grids) serve as critical safety barriers in stamping equipment (such as punch presses and shears). They use infrared beams to monitor hazardous areas in real time, preventing accidents such as pinching and collisions during operation. Key applications include:
Real-time Hazardous Area Monitoring
Light curtains are installed in front of or to the side of the stamping die, forming a dense infrared light curtain covering the slide’s pressing area.
If an operator’s arm or tool enters the light curtain’s range, the beam is blocked, and the system immediately detects the interruption.
Emergency Stop Protection Mechanism
After the light curtain signal is triggered, a command is sent to the punch press control system within milliseconds, forcibly interrupting slide movement or shutting off power to prevent injuries caused by the die’s pressing.
For example, if a user accidentally enters the light curtain area during a stamping operation, the equipment stops and may activate an audible and visual alarm.
Application Advantages and Flexibility
Zero-Latency Response: The light curtain senses obstruction within milliseconds, ensuring that the stamping operation is terminated immediately, significantly reducing the risk of workplace injuries.
Customizable: Supports adjustable protection height (e.g., finger or full-body coverage) and beam density to accommodate different stamping equipment layout requirements.
Efficient alternative to mechanical guarding: Compared to traditional fences, light curtains allow for more flexible operating space, improving production efficiency while maintaining safety.
In stamping equipment, safety light curtains, with their closed-loop mechanism of “beam monitoring → interruption detection → emergency shutdown,” have become an indispensable active protection tool. They not only reduce accident rates but are also compatible with automated production lines, such as industrial robotic workstations, providing reliable protection for high-risk operations.
