Interlocking gate switch aims to protect
Story by
July 6, 2017
To overcome dusty, arduous environments and high-vibration machinery, Fortress Interlocks has developed its PROFI-enabled amGardpro interlock gate switch with built-in machine control technology, built to withstand the most strenuous conditions.
With a locking force of 10,000N, using PROFI-enabled amGardpro gate reduces the wiring for each interlock unit, significantly reducing design, engineering, commissioning and maintenance costs and virtually eliminating tripping faults.
The amGardpro is designed to protect personnel from inadvertent machine restart. Every gate switch is fitted with a safety key which must be taken by any worker who enters the guarded machinery.
The machinery cannot be restarted until the safety key has been returned to its original position outside the hazardous area.
If access for multiple personnel is required, the interlock is fitted with a lock-out clip enabling operators to attach a padlock to the gate switch for Lock-out Tag-out purposes.
Connecting Fortress safety gate switches to a PROFINET network means engineers can use standard internet browsers to access diagnostic displays to provide accurate topology views of the network for rapid fault location.
