Patent ID: 6114690
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B21J,B30B,F16P,Y10T

Abstract:
A light-controlled safety switch for a punch press, comprising:a frame for supporting the working components of said press;a ram affixed to said frame, said ram being vertically movable between retracted and extended positions;a housing affixed to said frame;an emitter affixed to said housing, said emitter projecting a light beam downward parallel to a stroke of said ram;first ram-mounted means for directing said downward projected light beam laterally through a sleeve located at the end of said ram;second ram-mounted means for directing said laterally directed light beam upward in the opposite direction and parallel to said downward projected light beam;a receiver affixed to said housing responsive to said upward directed light beam, said receiver providing signals to an operational controller which controls the operation of the press;a punch assembly slidably held within said sleeve; anda shutter extending upwardly from the top of said punch assembly within said sleeve, whereby contact by said punch assembly with an object causes said shutter to move upward and break said laterally directed light beam causing said receiver to signal the operational controller to halt the ram.