New Generation of Safe Sliding Table Saws at IWF 2022

Two new safety sliding table saws that stop cutting when hands approach the blade have been introduced at IWF 2022.

Altendorf Group America introduced Hand Guard technology, a non-contact safety system which uses machine vision combined with artificial intelligence to detect when an operator’s hand moves within the danger zone near the saw blade. It incorporates dual overhead cameras and built-in hand recognition, similar to the facial recognition that is familiar on digital cameras.

If the operator’s hand is moving toward the blade or is too close to it, Hand Guard activates a powerful servo motor employs 2Gs force to drop the blade in 0.25 seconds, then returns it to service in 30 seconds, undamaged and ready to resume production. The saw’s functionality has been certified by independent standards authorities in Germany. It earned IWF 2022 Challengers Award Finalist recognition.

Felder’s patent-pending PCS (Preventive Contact System) technology was also introduced on its sliding table saw. It incorporates a different approach, using flesh-sensing through the saw blade which detects the conductivity around an operator’s hand.

When it “senses” flesh, powerful electromagnets holding the blade in place will disengage, dropping the blade instantaneously. The blade is captured by another magnet and held stationary. The saw is ready to resume operation at the touch of a button.

Development of the Felder PCS was funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the Felder Group developed PCS in cooperation with the Vienna University of Technology. The worldwide patented safety system detects human tissue in the danger zone and makes the saw blade disappear in a few milliseconds, sinking it under the table when danger threatens.

Felder PCS-approved circular saw blades are approved for use on sliding table saws with PCS safety technology. Felder sells these blades online.

Read more about these and other product innovations ate the IWF 2022 Newsmakers channel.

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