A personal voltage detection system comprises a garment to be worn by a user and carrying a plurality of electric field sensors each facing a different direction. Each sensor comprises a transducer sensing electric field in transmitting a wireless signal representing field strength for an associated direction. An alert device is in operative communication with the plurality of sensors and comprises a control configured to monitor field strength for each sensor and determine existence of an alarm condition responsive to field strength being above a pre-select level and to generate an alarm signal indicating the associated direction of the alarm condition.

A human-robot cooperation (HRC) workstation has a programmable industrial robot (4) and a manual working area (14) for a worker (5) in a region surrounding the industrial robot (4). In the HRC workstation (1), the working areas of the industrial robot (4) and the worker (5) overlap. Contact between the worker (5) and the industrial robot (4) is possible. The workstation (1) is divided into a plurality of different zones (17, 18, 19, 20) having differently high levels of risk of hazard from the industrial robot (4) for the worker (5). The industrial robot (4) is suitable for human-robot cooperation.

A paper shredder, comprising a housing provided with a paper inlet, a motor arranged in the housing, a control circuit module for controlling the motor to operate, at least one inductive electric conductor and a human inductive signal processing output module, wherein the inductive electric conductor is arranged at the inner wall of the housing near the paper inlet; the inductive electric conductor and the inner wall of the housing are in isolating contact or have a gap; the inductive electric conductor is electrically connected with the human inductive signal processing output module; and the human inductive signal processing output module is electrically connected with the control circuit module. The paper shredder has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, high safety and reliability, etc.

Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

A method for capacitive detection of nearby objects that may be located in the environment of an equipment provided with a capacitive detection device including a detection step, called discriminative detection step, including the following operations: polarizing a first nearby object at a first alternating potential (V1), different from a ground potential (M), and from the potential of at least one second nearby object, at a first frequency (F1); and determining a first discriminative signal representative of a capacitance, called electrode-object capacitance, seen by the at least one measurement electrode, at said first frequency (F1).

Table saws with safety systems are disclosed. The safety systems detect and react to dangerous conditions, such as contact between the blade and a person. The table saws may include a switch, a first light that illuminates to indicate the safety system is operable, and a second light that illuminates to indicate that the safety system is inoperable. The switch may not power the saw when switched on if the second light is illuminated.

The Benchtop Laboratory Apparatus Automation System, hereafter referred to as BLAAS, is designed for automation of common laboratory benchtop devices such as pipette tip boxes, waste containers, sample tubes and trays, and reagent or solvent containers. The BLAAS consists of a microprocessor, sensor and physical actuator attached to the benchtop device. A user's hand approaching the device will be detected and the system will respond by opening the device, allowing hands-free access to the contents. After a short delay, the top closes again after the hand clears the device. A light will illuminate to indicate when the device is actively opening, and parameters like the speed of the movement, the stop positions of the servo and the time the device remains open can be adjusted.

A safety system includes safety glasses and an apparatus. The safety glasses include an electronic system having a sensor configured to detect when the safety glasses are worn by a user and a wireless communication device. The apparatus includes a body housing an electrical isolation device and a wireless communication device. The body includes a first end defining a female electrical socket, a second end defining a male electrical plug and a fastening device coupled to the body and configured to move from an open position to a closed position in which an electrical cord that is electrically coupled to the body at one of the first end or the second end is also physically secured to the body by the fastening device. The electrical isolation device is configured to prevent current flow in the line conductor included in the body when the safety glasses are not being worn by the user.

Throat plates for table saws and table saws are disclosed. In some embodiments, the throat plates and/or saws have at least one securement mechanism to secure and prevent inadvertent removal of the throat plate from the throat of the saw. In some embodiments, at least one of the securement mechanisms also provides a height adjustment mechanism and/or prevents vertical removal of the throat plate. In some embodiments, the throat plate has an accessory mounting port that provides a portal for accessories, including safety accessories, to extend through the plate from beneath the table of the saw. In some embodiments, the port extends from the plate's outer perimeter to divide the plate's rear end portion into a pair of spaced-apart members. In some embodiments, these members are independently secured to the table saw and retained apart from each other by one or more of the securement mechanisms.

The present invention relates to a security system (10) for securing a restricted access area in a converting machine. The security system (10) comprises a detection unit (20) comprising a plurality of sensors (22) arranged side by side an having a vertical sensing direction. Each sensor has an individual control zone (Z). The detection unit is configured to detect control signals (23) indicating an arrival time (t1) and a departure time (t2) of an object (24, 32) transported through each of the control zones. The security system further comprises an evaluation unit (26) configured to receive the control signals (23) from the detection unit and a memory (25) containing a program to cause the evaluation unit to determine an error state indicating the presence of a prohibited access based on the control signals (23).