How to effectively prevent personnel from accidentally touching during plain press operation?

In today's booming manufacturing industry, plain presss, as common processing equipment, are widely used in various production processes. However, the safety risks during the operation of punching machines cannot be ignored, especially the problem of personnel accidental contact, which has always been a major challenge for the industry. How to take effective measures to prevent personnel from accidentally touching plain presss and ensure the safety and health of operators has become a highly concerned focus in the entire industry.

1. Equipment design optimization

1. Layout of dual hand operation buttons: The start button of a plain press should adopt a symmetrical design, with a distance of ≥ 600mm between the two buttons, and the installation height should be level with the operating table (about 900-1100mm). This layout requires operators to press both hands simultaneously, ensuring that both hands are away from the danger zone of the mold before starting the equipment, and physically preventing accidental contact with one hand.
2. Button tactile differentiation: The start button and emergency stop button need to be distinguished by tactile sensation. For example, the start button uses a smooth surface, while the emergency stop button is designed with a raised mushroom head and marked with a prominent red logo. Operators can quickly recognize button functions with touch, reducing accidental operations in emergency situations.

3. Anti slip treatment of operating table: The operating table of the punch press should be equipped with anti slip rubber pads to avoid sliding and accidental contact caused by sweat or oil stains on the hands. The edge of the countertop should be equipped with a barrier to prevent tools or parts from slipping and triggering the button.

2. Strengthening operational standards

1. Standardized operating procedures: Develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for plain press operations, specifying the entire process steps of "pre start inspection - dual hand pressing - equipment operation - shutdown cleaning". Operators must undergo training and pass the assessment before they can take up their posts. They will receive retraining every six months to strengthen their safety awareness.
2. Prohibition of one handed operation: Operators are strictly prohibited from using other parts of their body (such as elbows, knees) or tools to press buttons, and must use both hands to complete the starting action. Management personnel need to supervise the implementation through monitoring or on-site inspections.

3. Status confirmation after shutdown: After the equipment is shut down, the operator needs to confirm that the slider is completely stopped, the mold is closed, and the power is cut off before cleaning or adjusting to avoid accidental start-up of the equipment due to accidental contact.

3. Security device upgrade

1. Photoelectric protection device: Install infrared or laser photoelectric sensors around the danger zone of plain presss to form an invisible protective light curtain. When a human or foreign object is detected entering the light curtain area, an emergency stop is immediately triggered with a response time of ≤ 0.1 seconds, effectively intercepting dangerous actions caused by accidental contact.
2. Interlocking protective door: An interlocking protective door is designed for the punching mold area, and the equipment cannot be started when the door is not closed; If the protective door is opened during operation, the equipment will automatically shut down. The protective door should be made of transparent material (such as tempered glass) to facilitate observation of the processing.

3. Redundant design of emergency stop button: Emergency stop buttons shall be added to the press operation panel, fence, and ground (within 1 meter of the equipment), with the button color being red and marked with the words "emergency stop". After any button is pressed, the device needs to cut off the main power within 0.5 seconds.

4. Environmental and Personnel Management

1. Isolation of operating area: Use metal fences or warning lines to demarcate the operating area of plain presss, and prohibit non operators from entering. The height of the fence should be ≥ 1.8 meters, with no gaps at the bottom to prevent personnel from climbing or objects from rolling in.
2. Personal protective equipment (PPE): Operators must wear anti cutting gloves, goggles, and anti smashing shoes. Long hair should be tucked into a work cap, and necklaces, bracelets, and other easily tangled accessories are prohibited to reduce the risk of accidental contact caused by hanging objects.
3. Environmental cleanliness and lighting: Keep the operating area floor dry and free of oil stains, and ensure that the passages are unobstructed and free of debris. The illumination intensity should be ≥ 300lux to avoid accidental touch of buttons or molds due to unclear vision.
With the continuous advancement of technology and the updating of safety management concepts, more advanced technologies and effective management methods will inevitably emerge in the field of safety protection for plain press operations in the future. We have reason to believe that through the joint efforts of enterprises, employees, and all sectors of society, the problem of personnel accidentally touching during the operation of plain presss will be more thoroughly solved, and safety production will be more effectively guaranteed. Let us join hands and work tirelessly to create a zero accident safety production environment.