Lathe Safety System

rwm

Robert
H-M Lifetime Diamond Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2013
Messages
4,606
I think it is time to reveal my idea for a new lathe safety system. The idea is to prevent accidental contact or "crashes" between the tooling and the chuck. These events frequently damage the chuck and require regrinding or replacement of the tooling.

The system works like this. I have designed a sensor that attaches to the tool and monitors for contact with the chuThere is a control and switching module associated with the chuck. This module receives input from the tool sensor and triggers the safety system

Attached to the spindle is a shaped charge of C4 as shown. The geometry is designed to pyrotechnically sever the spindle in case of an incident.

A similar amount of C4 is mounted on the motor:
This image shows an overview of the hardware:
In case of a crash the shaped charge from the plastic explosive will sever the chuck from the spindle and/or disable the motor preventing operator injury and tool damage. This will undoubtedly save time and money on replacement tooling as well reducing work-site related injuries.
Any constructive comments regarding this design are welcome!

Robert
 
Smells like April first somewhere! Great idea!


Steve Shannon
 
I think it is time to reveal my idea for a new lathe safety system. The idea is to prevent accidental contact or "crashes" between the tooling and the chuck. These events frequently damage the chuck and require regrinding or replacement of the tooling.

The system works like this. I have designed a sensor that attaches to the tool and monitors for contact with the chuck:

There is a control and switching module associated with the chuck. This module receives input from the tool sensor and triggers the safety system

Attached to the spindle is a shaped charge of C4 as shown. The geometry is designed to pyrotechnically sever the spindle in case of an incident.

A similar amount of C4 is mounted on the motor:
This image shows an overview of the hardware:
In case of a crash the shaped charge from the plastic explosive will sever the chuck from the spindle and/or disable the motor preventing operator injury and tool damage. This will undoubtedly save time and money on replacement tooling as well reducing work-site related injuries.
Any constructive comments regarding this design are welcome!

Robert

Why didn't I think of that ?!! Seems quite "safe" to me.
 
don't forget to wear your safety glasses ... !!
happy April 1
 
Speaking of Safety, there ought to be covers on the electronic components, to keep chips from shorting them out and disablilng them.
 
Very impressive.

You have invented essentially the same safety system incorporated into the "SawStop" table saw.

Of course when yours is triggered it is much more interesting for spectators and only slightly more expensive to replace the parts.

Congratulations. Well done!

Stu

'When the world is made to be idiot-proof, the world will become overpopulated with idiots.' -Mark Twain?
 
Back
Top