A safety switch includes a movably mounted locking bolt configured to lock an actuator in a defined locking position relative to the safety switch. The safety switch includes a movably mounted locking bulkhead movable between a first position and a second position. The locking bulkhead is configured to fix the movably mounted locking bolt in the second position via a positive fit.

To realize both toughness and size reduction of a safety switch. A safety switch is a safety switch into and from which a bolt of an actuator is inserted and pulled out. The safety switch includes a casing having a shape elongated along a first direction, a metal head having a receiving space for receiving the bolt of the actuator and provided on a first end side of the casing in the first direction, a detector for detecting a first state in which the bolt is received in the receiving space, a lock mechanism, a switching device and a first attachment portion provided in the head and having a first attachment hole into which a first attachment member is inserted.

To realize both toughness and size reduction of a safety switch. A safety switch is a safety switch into and from which a bolt of an actuator is inserted and pulled out. The safety switch includes a casing having a shape elongated along a first direction, a metal head having a receiving space for receiving the bolt of the actuator and provided on a first end side of the casing in the first direction, a detector for detecting a first state in which the bolt is received in the receiving space, a lock mechanism, a switching device and a first attachment portion provided in the head and having a first attachment hole into which a first attachment member is inserted.

A computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) machine is configured to (i) measure a power of a beam of electromagnetic energy at a location between a source of the electromagnetic energy and a destination in the CNC machine, the beam of electromagnetic energy traveling from the source to the destination being susceptible to one or more interferences, and the one or more interferences being capable of altering the power of the beam of electromagnetic energy by at least diverting, away from an intended path for the beam of electromagnetic energy, at least a portion of the beam of electromagnetic energy, (ii) detect, based at least on the measured power of the beam of electromagnetic energy being less than a threshold value, an interference of the beam of electromagnetic energy, and (iii) in response to detecting the interference of the beam of electromagnetic energy, perform one or more actions.

A remote safety release comprises an actuator (13) adapted to move between a inoperative position wherein it does not interact with the locking mechanism of a switch and at least one operative position wherein it interacts with the locking mechanism, a remote control device (14) adapted to promote the movement of the actuator from the inoperative position to an operative position, a transfer mechanism (15) adapted to transfer a force from the remote control device (14) to the actuator (13) following the command given by the operator to promote the movement of the actuator (13) and adapted to exert a first solicitation on the actuator (13) to promote its automatic passage from the inoperative position to an operative position, while the remote control device (14) constantly exerts on the actuator (13) a second contrast solicitation opposite to the first solicitation and having at least equal value.

A remote safety release comprises an actuator (13) adapted to move between a inoperative position wherein it does not interact with the locking mechanism of a switch and at least one operative position wherein it interacts with the locking mechanism, a remote control device (14) adapted to promote the movement of the actuator from the inoperative position to an operative position, a transfer mechanism (15) adapted to transfer a force from the remote control device (14) to the actuator (13) following the command given by the operator to promote the movement of the actuator (13) and adapted to exert a first solicitation on the actuator (13) to promote its automatic passage from the inoperative position to an operative position, while the remote control device (14) constantly exerts on the actuator (13) a second contrast solicitation opposite to the first solicitation and having at least equal value.

A safety switch includes a processor and a display device. The processor is configured to: set an operation mode of the safety switch; an output unit configured to output a mode notification signal for indicating whether the operation mode of the safety switch is in a maintenance mode; receive an input of a display control signal based upon a system operation mode of a switch system including the safety switch and at least one other safety switch. In response to reception of the input of the display control signal based upon a fact that the system operation mode is in a system maintenance mode indicating that at least one of operation modes of the safety switch and the at least one other safety switch is set to the maintenance mode, the display device displays the indication indicating that the system operation mode is in the system maintenance mode.

Methods and apparatus provide safety systems for operating equipment having confined spaces which, during normal use, have conditions, such as extreme temperatures, pressures and/or caustic/toxic chemicals or other harmful gases which can be fatal to an otherwise healthy adult human. To protect humans inadvertently trapped in the confined space after the start of a normal operation cycle, the safety systems not only stop the equipment which is creating the harmful condition, such as a cutting off a supply of high pressure steam, but also remove the harmful condition or render it survivable. Versions also open access doors permitting escape and/or rescue of persons trapped in the confined space.

A safety switch with a lock-out device comprises a switching unit (2) adapted to be anchored to a fixed part of a structure and provided with switching means adapted to be operatively connected with at least the power supply circuit of the plant to be controlled for the opening/closing thereof, an operating unit (3) adapted to be anchored to a movable part of the structure and having actuating means (5) adapted to interact with the switching means upon the closing of the movable part on the fixed part to enable the closing of the power supply circuit, a lock-out device (16) associated with the switching unit (2) and having a guard (17) movable between an inactive position adapted to allow the interaction between the switching means and the actuating means (5) and an active position wherein the interaction is avoided. The switching means and the actuating means (5) are of the electronic type and are respectively associated with a first communication element (6) and a second communication element (7) adapted to remote communicating therebetween by means of a presence signal and to allow the switching means to discriminate the presence of the operating unit (3) close to the switching unit (2). The movable guard (17) comprises a shielding element (20) adapted to interpose itself between the communication elements (6, 7) when the guard (17) is into the active position to avoid the transmission of the signal and the closing of the switching means.

A safety switch with a lock-out device comprises a switching unit (2) adapted to be anchored to a fixed part of a structure and provided with switching means adapted to be operatively connected with at least the power supply circuit of the plant to be controlled for the opening/closing thereof, an operating unit (3) adapted to be anchored to a movable part of the structure and having actuating means (5) adapted to interact with the switching means upon the closing of the movable part on the fixed part to enable the closing of the power supply circuit, a lock-out device (16) associated with the switching unit (2) and having a guard (17) movable between an inactive position adapted to allow the interaction between the switching means and the actuating means (5) and an active position wherein the interaction is avoided. The switching means and the actuating means (5) are of the electronic type and are respectively associated with a first communication element (6) and a second communication element (7) adapted to remote communicating therebetween by means of a presence signal and to allow the switching means to discriminate the presence of the operating unit (3) close to the switching unit (2). The movable guard (17) comprises a shielding element (20) adapted to interpose itself between the communication elements (6, 7) when the guard (17) is into the active position to avoid the transmission of the signal and the closing of the switching means.