A determination part determines whether or not a shadow of an upper mold is expanded to a photodiode by laser beam projected to a light receiver side based on a light receiving state of a photodiode positioned in a vicinity of the upper mold. When it is determined that the shadow of the upper mold is expanded to the photodiode positioned in the nearest vicinity of the upper mold, the invalidation unit invalidates the photodiode. A detection unit detects a presence or absence of a foreign body between the upper mold and a lower mold based on light receiving states of the effective plurality of photodiodes during a lowering operation of an upper table.

A pressing device for pressing meat products, in particular frozen and/or partly frozen meat products, preferably fresh meat products and/or bacon, comprises a pressing chamber which extends along a longitudinal axis and into which a product to be pressed can be inserted, wherein the pressing chamber comprises at least one counter-element and at least one contact element, which is movable in the direction of the counter-element, that cooperate such that the product inserted into the pressing chamber can be compressed between the at least one counter-element and the at least one contact element; and wherein the pressing device comprises at least one servomotor that is configured to move the at least one contact element.

In a method of pressing and processing meat products, in particular frozen and/or partly frozen meat products, preferably fresh meat products and/or bacon, the products are inserted into a pressing chamber of a pressing device and are pressed in the pressing chamber by at least one displaceable contact element, with the contact element being moved by means of a servomotor.

A drive unit drives a slide which vertically reciprocates for pressing the workpiece. A detection unit detects positional information about the slide. A speed control unit controls the speed of the slide by the drive unit, based on motion information defining operation of the slide. A stoppage determination calculation unit sets a deceleration start point at which deceleration of the slide is to be started, based on the motion information and a set point at which the slide is to be forced to stop. A speed control unit determines whether an abnormality signal regarding transportation of the workpiece is input, when the slide reaches the deceleration start point based on the positional information about the slide detected by the detection unit. The speed control unit performs deceleration control for the slide so that the slide is stopped at the set point, when determining that the abnormality signal is input.

A deforming machine (1) with a machine frame (2), on which an upper tool (4) and a lower tool (5) are arranged, which form a working gap (8) of variable size, with a first optical safety light barrier (20) for securing a first safety space (28) adjacent to the working gap (8) and with a second optical safety light barrier (30) for securing a second safety space (31), which is located in front of a largest surface (18) of the upper tool (4). The second optical safety light barrier (30) is designed for monitoring a third safety space (51) which extends downwards beyond the end face (6) of the upper tool (4) facing the lower tool (5) along the movement path (14) in the direction of the lower tool (5), so that a projection of the third safety space (51) onto the working gap (8) covers at least a section of the working gap (8).

An access protection system for safeguarding an access point to a machine or installation includes a sensor device and an interlocking device. The sensor device includes an optical transmitter and receiver. The interlocking device includes a base body and a blocking element. The optical transmitter is configured to transmit a light pulse to the optical receiver. The sensor device is configured to generate a sensor signal based on reception of the light pulse. The sensor signal is used to control the machine or installation. The blocking element is movable relative to the base body from a release position into a blocking position. The blocking element is configured to be located, while in the blocking position, in a beam path of the light pulse between the optical transmitter and receiver to block the reception of the light pulse. The interlocking device is lockable in the blocking position by a securing element.

The invention relates to a method for bending of a workpiece (2) along a straight bending line (27), by means of a first bending tool (5) and a second bending tool (6) of a press brake (3), wherein the region between the two bending tools (5, 6) is monitored for the presence of obstacles by means of a safety system (30), by a control apparatus (24), during the approach movement between the first bending tool (5) and the second bending tool (6). Subsequently, the position of the bending line (27) of the stress-relieved and pre-bent workpiece (2) is determined in relation to a center plane (40) of the first (5) and/or of the second bending tool (6), by means of the safety system (30). On the basis of a control signal, a correction of the position of the workpiece (2) is is carried out, until the position deviation (42) of the bending line (27) lies within a permissible maximal deviation from the center plane (40). Subsequently, the workpiece (2) is bent to its final angle.

A safety power assist for a manual press is provided. In another aspect, a press includes a tool, a manual actuator, a switch and an automatically powered actuator. A further aspect of the present press employs a spring which must be compressed beyond a predetermined pinching force before a switch is activated, where switch activation causes an automatically powered actuator to advance a workpiece-contacting punch or tool.

A safety power assist for a manual press is provided. In another aspect, a press includes a tool, a manual actuator, a switch and an automatically powered actuator. A further aspect of the present press employs a spring which must be compressed beyond a predetermined pinching force before a switch is activated, where switch activation causes an automatically powered actuator to advance a workpiece-contacting punch or tool.

A projector emits laser light, and an optical receiver includes a photodetector. When an upper table is lowered, a safety controller controls lowering of the upper table to stop, when it is determined that the optical receiver is in a light obstructing state in a period in which a condition is satisfied that a first distance between a tip of a punch and an upper end of a material is equal to or greater than a second distance between the tip of the punch and the photodetector, and controls the lowering to continue without stopping the lowering of the upper table even when it is determined that the optical receiver is in the light obstructing state in a period in which a condition is satisfied that the first distance is less than the second distance.