Drop-Probe Device Enhances Welder Safety

The Detect-A-Finger Gen II (RKC008 and RKC009) drop probe from Rockford Systems (Rockford, IL) helps welders and operators of small machines such as riveters, eyeletters, stakers, staplers, crimpers, and fasteners avoid finger and hand injuries.

Drop-probe devices work by gravity. When a probe encounters a finger or workpiece, it won’t complete its downward travel and the machine won’t start a cycle or stroke. A spring returns the probe to its starting or up position.

The Detect-A-Finger Gen II’s keyed aluminum drop-shaft clamp and hexagonal, rigid steel drop probe significantly improve reliability. The updated device also features redundant switches and a two-hand safety relay that detects faults in its two-hand controls, wiring, and contactors safety circuits.

These new safety-enhancing features ensure operators can meet production needs with upgrades such as increasing the stroke to 1.85 in, unified right- and left-handed operation, a prepunched enclosure to achieve faster electrical connections, and a soft drop-probe rod for accurate template development before forming the steel drop probe. The design meets Category 2 guarding device compliance requirements and reduces the potential for operators bypassing their guarding.

To make retrofitting older models quick and easy, the Gen II has the same mounting pattern as the original model, creating an easily deployed drop-in solution. The company also offers a drop-probe kit (FCT057) that includes one soft aluminum rod to aid in creating a template before forming the tougher steel hex probe.

Rockford Systems, 5795 Logistics Parkway, Rockford, IL 61109, 800-922-7533, www.rockfordsystems.com.