November 18, 2016
Safety and ergonomics are inextricably linked with productivity. The Oxford English Dictionary defines ergonomics as “the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment”. The use of press brakes is still a predominantly manual operation and global manufacturers are applying their safety and Ergonomic principles especially in markets where compulsory safety regulations apply. Light guards Some machinery manufacturers are being inventive and have integrated light guard systems into the machine’s control. This enables the light guard operation to be “programmed”, which can result in productivity benefits. The primary function of a light guard is to inform the machine when an operator is in the danger zone. It is therefore evident that the machine can also know when the operator is out of the danger zone and can use this information intelligently. An integrated light guard system can actually increase productivity by acting as a switch to ensure the machine is always ahead of the operator while maintaining a safe…