Adjustable Guards
Adjustable guards are designed to be flexible and can be moved or positioned in different ways to provide the necessary protection. This adjustability allows the guard to fit various sizes and shapes of materials or stock being worked on.
For example the adjustable guard on a band saw can be raised or lowered depending on the thickness of the wood being cut, ensuring the blade is always properly covered.
These guards are useful because they provide flexibility when working with different sizes of stock, making machines safer without limiting their use.
Materials and Applications
The criteria for materials and applications listed below for adjustable machine guards include:
- Materials: Adjustable guards can be made from metal, plastic, or mesh, depending on the machine’s needs and the level of protection required.
- Custom Fit: They are often designed to fit specific machines or types of equipment, ensuring the guard works well with the machine’s movements and parts.
- Protection Areas: These guards cover moving parts or dangerous areas of machines, such as:
- Blades on saws or cutters
- Gears that rotate or mesh together
- Pinch points where parts move close together
Examples
- An adjustable mesh guard on a conveyor belt protects workers from getting caught in the moving gears while allowing visibility of the equipment inside.
- An adjustable metal guard on a drill press can be moved closer or farther from the drill bit to protect the operator’s hands while allowing different sizes of materials to be drilled.
- An adjustable plastic guard on a grinder can slide to cover the spinning wheel as it wears down, keeping the operator safe throughout the tool’s use.
| Safeguarding Action | Advantages | Limitations |
|
Provides a barrier that may be adjusted to facilitate a variety of production operations |
Can be constructed to suit many specific applications Can be adjusted to admit varying sizes of stock |
Hands may enter danger area - protection may not be complete at all times May require frequent maintenance and/or adjustment The guard may be made ineffective by the operator May interfere with visibility |
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-4. Which type of guard allows flexibility in accommodating various sizes of stock?
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