Press Brake Guarding System

The Sentinel Plus guarding system features a laser transmitter and receiver that are mounted to the upper beam of the press brake. A continuous block laser field protects the zone around the punch tip allowing the operator to safely hold the work piece as the tools close at high-speed. If an obstruction is detected the machine is automatically stopped.

Sentinel Plus can be retrofitted to most existing press brake models and provides a complete safety solution that includes advanced optical protection, monitoring of the press brake control commands and actions, control and monitoring machine safety elements and more.

Advanced BendShield technology provides advanced optical protection by enveloping the punch tip with a protective field that has no gaps. BendShield has an object detection resolution of 2mm to detect even the smallest obstruction from any angle. Optical protection remains active until the tool opening is reduced to 2mm preventing fingers and hands entering the point of operation.

This close proximity protection allows the operator unrestricted access to the point of operation for increased productivity and unlike traditional light curtains, reduces fatigue by eliminating the need to continually move in and out of the operating area.

The laser field is processed by the receiver and divided into three continuous zones to detect obstructions entering from the front, sides and rear of the tool area. The front zone provides protection forward of the tool while the middle zone protects the area just behind the tip of the punch. The rear zone provides additional protection for the open gaps created when segmented tooling is used. The protective zones are independently and automatically muted to suit different shape work pieces allowing parts to be formed safely at high speed to achieve maximum productivity.

The Sentinel Plus camera receiver features automatic tool alignment that eliminates the need for precise manual adjustment and reduces tool set-up time. After tool change simply press the TOOL ALIGN button on the receiver. The receiver scans the punch to locate the tool tip, then automatically adjusts the protection zone.

RapidBend Plus performance technology enables your machine to operate faster and with less restrictions. RapidBend Plus works with flat sheets and box profile parts so the machine can close at high speed right down to 2mm above the material to significantly boost your productivity.

RapidBend Plus is designed for high-speed press brakes and employs a dynamic muting process that enables the tools to close safely at high-speed until the punch is just 2mm above the material surface. This minimises the slow speed travel distance on every bend cycle for both flat profile parts and box profile parts with side flanges.

RapidBend Plus is compatible with most high-speed performance CNC press brakes*, reducing the minimum speed change point down to 2mm.

*For retrofit applications, RapidBend Plus can reduce the minimum speed change point to 2mm, however results may vary depending on the press brake type and capabilities. Consult your Lazer Safe Retrofit Dealer for more information.

Available as an optional upgrade, the Automatic Brackets automate the process of adjusting and positioning the transmitter and receiver during tool change. The Automatic Brackets incorporate a compact motorised drive system that is controlled via the Sentinel Plus user interface panel with simple one touch operation.

During tool change, the operator can press the HOME button to drive the transmitter and receiver to the top position so punches can be removed and loaded from the ends of the machine. Once a new punch has been installed, the operator simply presses the ALIGN button and the brackets automatically drive the transmitter and receiver to the punch position until the camera receiver detects the tool tip, then Sentinel Plus automatically scans the punch and dynamically adjusts the protection zone.

The Automatic Brackets retain the same free-sliding operation as the Standard linear brackets so that if a static object is contacted when the brackets are adjusting or when the machine is moving down, then the brackets slide up to avoid potential damage.

Manual operation

In addition to the automatic adjustment, the Automatic Brackets can be manually positioned up and down via directional controls on the HMI. They can also be manually driven in the event of a power failure.