MANUFACTURER: Protech Systems
“The employer shall provide and enforce the use of safety blocks for use whenever dies are being adjusted or repaired in the press.”
Please refer to 1910.217(d)(9)(iv) as referenced in OSHA document:
Regulations: Machinery and Machine Guarding / Standard Number: 1910.217.
Information is also available online from the
American National Standards Institute B11.1-2009 document
Refer to section 9.2.6 “die adjustment, cleaning, or repair.”
Safety blocks are designed to prevent accidental die closure during press setup and maintenance. Safety blocks are constructed from lightweight extruded aluminum or magnesium and are available in fixed lengths with wedges for minor adjustment or adjustable versions. Consideration should be given to the weight of safety blocks as they can sometimes be cumbersome to lift where press bolster heights are well off the floor.
Static load and open height requirements determine the optimal size and style of safety block. See the download sheet for more details or contact our Application Engineers for more information.
Safety blocks provide safety during setup and maintenance for power presses by mechanically and electrically preventing inadvertent die closure.
PRI's 42o Safety Blocks are for smaller presses, with a maximum static load of 35 tons (having a wide span of adjustable heights) and are made of high-strength, lightweight extruded aluminum. Selection of the proper style and size is determined by the press static load and the required open height. Safety blocks using wedges are also available, as well as the standard model 42 for larger presses.
Production Resources Inc.'s die safety blocks are placed between the die punch and holder or ram and bolster with the machine stroke up.
They are rated to support a static load. The static load represents the combined weight of the press ram, ram components (ram-adjust assembly and connection rod[s] or pitman arm[s]), and the upper die.
In some applications, as many as four safety blocks may be required. This is determined by the size of the press bed and the weight the blocks must support. On larger presses, the total slide weight must then be distributed among the quantity of safety blocks required.
The ram is usually adjustable; therefore, wedges or the adjustable screw device is offered to provide a proper fit. If the die takes up most of the space on the die set, it may be difficult to find a place to insert the block. To avoid accidentally stroking the press or leaving the safety block in the die after use, an electrical power cut-off interlock system should be used.
Note: Electrical interlocking of die safety blocks to the machine’s motor and control circuits is required by ANSI B11.19.
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