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Palletiser – Multi-Door Access
Palletisers are crucial machines in the logistics and warehousing sector and are an extremely efficient way to load boxes and goods onto pallets. Due to the nature of the robotic arm, a palletiser has the potential to cause serious harm to machine operators or maintenance personnel if they are not correctly safeguarded. Palletising cells… Continue reading Palletiser – Multi-Door Access
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Logistics Overview
🚚 Click on the different areas of the logistics process to learn more about machinery safety in these areas!
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Automated Palletizer
Palletising cells require fast access, as boxes can fall relatively often and can cause errors or even damage goods with machines carry on without realising it. So having controls at the gate provides that fast response time when an operator sees a box fall or be misplaced. While you may want… Continue reading Automated Palletizer
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Conveyor Control Systems
Conveyor safety can be very hard to implement with potentially miles of rollers to protect. Cabling can become an issue too with miles of thick cabling being both expensive and a nightmare to install. At Fortress, to help address this, we have our safety rated ethernet control units able to put the conveyors… Continue reading Conveyor Control Systems
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Depalletiser – 3PL
Depalletisers are crucial machines in the logistics and warehousing sector and are an extremely efficient tool in removing various types of goods from pallets. Due to the nature of the robotic arm, a depalletiser has the potential to cause serious harm to machine operators or maintenance personnel if they are not correctly safeguarded. The Fortress… Continue reading Depalletiser – 3PL
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Automated Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes
Ports are a hide and seek nightmare for safety officers, with huge dangerous spaces where large cranes operate, it is essential that they are fenced off. These areas are so large that presence sensing is not viable, making a safety key system the best way to keep people safe when accessing the areas… Continue reading Automated Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes
Zero Pressure Monitoring
Zero Pressure Monitoring provides means to confirm hazardous energy has dissipated following isolation of fluid power energy.
Are Monitored Valves really Safe?
During recent years there have been many developments within the safety industry about hydraulics and in particular pneumatic valves. These systems have predominately been applied to press applications and primary fluid power machine supply. Historically, industry was on a trend to treat fluid power directional control valve monitoring whether it be hydraulic or pneumatic… Continue reading Are Monitored Valves really Safe?
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Multi-Gate Access Control – 3PL
Some machines in automated warehouses require an access point on every single aisle, meaning a multi-door access system needs to be implemented to allow operators to safely enter the safeguarded space without incurring high installation costs. These access points do not lead into the ASRS system directly and do not need to be EN 528/619… Continue reading Multi-Gate Access Control – 3PL
Key Operated Switch (BK)
Key operated switch for requesting machine stop, teach mode activation and preventing unexpected restart from within a safeguarded space.
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Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems – 3PL
Fortress are commonly tasked with safeguarding automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) by some of the largest logistics companies in the world. Whilst these machines are increasingly common in modern warehouses, they can still be extremely dangerous for personnel if they are not equipped with the correct access control system. Installation of these systems… Continue reading Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems – 3PL
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Fulfilment Centre / Automated Warehouse – 3PL
Fulfilment centres and automated warehouses are increasingly common in modern times where delivery is expected to be fast and efficient. Such facilities often contain many complex lines that rely on large, dangerous automated machinery to make sure goods are processed as quickly as possible. For this reason, it is highly important to make… Continue reading Fulfilment Centre / Automated Warehouse – 3PL
Push Internal Release (PIR)
Push Internal Release PIR helps to restrict access over conveyors, rolling roads, and moving production lines without stopping the process.
Motivation to Defeat
ISO 14119 requires machines to be designed to minimize the motivation to defeat the interlocking device, tying back to the requirement in ISO12100’s to take into account the possibility of defeating or circumventing protective measures during the risk estimation process. Four steps are laid out to avoid interlocking devices being defeated in a reasonably foreseeable… Continue reading Motivation to Defeat
Case studies
Explosive Atmospheres & Safe Access
Selecting the correct safe access devices in explosive atmospheres is imperative. Significant financial implications could be at stake.
Pneumatic Monitored Safety Valves
Pneumatic Monitored Safety Valves guarantee safety in systems where residual energy from pneumatic operations could cause injury
Case studies
Pallet Conveyors with Interlock and Integrated RFID Access
Pallet conveyors require access in normal operation, however making sure the right operators are performing tasks is critical.
Case studies
Human Machine Interface – Warehouse Automation
Human Machine Interface is often used to support hazardous processes. How can you prevent the wrong people accessing these devices?
Safety FAQ – SIL, PL or Control Reliability?
We’re often asked which is the “best” or “right” method of ensuring the safety related parts of a control system meet the level of reliability needed for the level of risk. The short answer, is *there’s no right answer*, whatever you are most comfortable with or is mandated by your employer or customer will all… Continue reading Safety FAQ – SIL, PL or Control Reliability?
Hydraulic Monitored Safety Valves
Hydraulic Monitored Safety Valves guarantee safety in systems where residual energy from hydraulic operation could cause injury
Monitored Access – Heavy Duty Interlocking
Monitored access with safety on guard to detect operator access to safeguarded spaces where no run-down is required.
Reduce Installation Time & Costs with Robust Mounting Solutions
Reduce Installation time with the range of modular Mounting Plates to suit your interlocking solution
Operator Controls – Buttons, Lamps and Estops
Save on time consuming operator control stations with the Fortress all in one solutions which can also be easily integrated into interlocks
Request to Enter – Accessing Your Gate Interlock
The customisability of our heavy duty range offers a variety of methods to request access from RFID, to trapped key to button controls.
RFID Safety Key (RSK)
RFID Safety Keys remove the risk of on-site duplicates of lost keys with integrated re-teachability when protecting from unwanted restart.
Enclosed Spaces & Restricted Access In Steel Production
When colleagues perform tasks in enclosed spaces, measures are needed to prevent machine restart – but what solutions are available?
Case studies
Automated Crane Systems in Steel Manufacture
Automated crane systems create dangerous hazards to individuals operating in the vicinity; learn which risk reduction measures can be applied
Case studies
Sheet Metal Coiling in Steel Processing
Safe access is required frequently in normal operation of the metal coiling process. Safe & control I/O can help to automate machinery and keep operators safe during whole body access.
Metal Shearing – Sheet Metal Material Removal
Steel Shearing in Sheet Metal Production can be highly hazardous. Safe efficient access to machinery is critical to maximise productivity and minimise downtime.
Case studies
Rolling Mills: Hot and Cold Rolling Applications
Rolling mills can be highly hazardous without controlled access and measures to prevent unexpected restart. How can Fortress help?
Safety I/O Module – with CIP safety or PROFIsafe
Safety I/O Modules can be customised for direct EtherNet/IP or PROFINET connection to bespoke safe or non-safe inputs and outputs.
Steel Manufacture – Safe Access to Machinery
Which risk reduction measures can be applied to safe access to machinery used in Steel Manufacture?
Push Button Control Devices – with CIP safety and PROFIsafe
Networked Push Button Control Devices with CIP safety or PROFIsafe offer a simplified solution to industrial safe and non-safe controls.
Networked Interlocks with CIP Safety or PROFIsafe
Networking interlocks with CIP safety and PROFIsafe allows expandable systems, maximising integrated safe and non-safe I/O, whilst vastly reducing electrical installation and costs associated with cabling.
Heavy Duty Actuator for Entry Access
Range of Heavy Duty Actuators with design for Maximum Misalignment to protect against movements in guarding and Guarantee Interlock Longevity
Fortress FAQ – Temperature Ranges for Fortress Devices
The recommended temperature range for our products depends what the device is. Fortress interlocks have third party certification of their safety rating provided by TUV SUD but this certification is only valid within the specified temperature range.
Unexpected Restart Prevention with Proactive Inhibit Functions
Proactive inhibit functions such as the safety key prevent unexpected restart whilst operators enter safeguarded spaces.
Heavy Duty Escape Release – Leaving a safeguarded space
The Heavy Duty Escape Release allows operators performing whole body access a reactive inhibit function to perform an instant stop command.
Case studies
Heavy Duty Interlocking Solutions
Dangerous machinery operating requires robust heavy duty interlocking solutions to protect personnel operating within safeguarded spaces.
Controlled Access with Solenoid Locking – Heavy Duty Interlocking
Controlled Access with Solenoid Locking prevents access to safeguarded spaces until logic controlled run-down times have completed – Heavy Duty Interlocking
Pneumatic Trapped Key Isolation (PV PH PL PE PS)
Pneumatic Trapped Key Isolation can be configured alongside electrical isolation to protect against all forms of hazardous energy.
Time Delay and Voltage Sensing (TD & VS)
Time Delay and Voltage Sensing Devices control the release of keys within a sequenced system ensuring access only when safe conditions are met.
Accessories for the Trapped Key Range
Take a closer look at our list of trapped key accessories – lock protection and mounting solutions
Bolt Module (BM, BMS) – Power Interlocking with a Mechanical Bolt
The Bolt Module is a form of Power Interlocking and can be used to prevent mechanical rotation of components used for isolation of pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrical energy.
Light Curtain and Photoelectric Blocking Device – PBL
Personnel entering Light Curtain protected areas are at risk of unexpected restart; this can be prevented with a light curtain blocking device.
Intermediate Key Transfer – Key Exchange (XM, XMS, J)
Intermediate transfer allows trapped key systems to link points of isolation with access to safeguarded spaces.
Solenoid Key Switch (SS, MSS) – Controlled Isolation with Run-Down Time
Solenoid Controlled Guard locking can enforce run-down times where instant access to protected locations can be hazardous.
Safety Switches for Automation – The Standard Range
Safety Switches for Automation outlines the standard Safety Switches and Interlocks with Guard Locking available from the Fortress-Safety product catalogue
Key Switch (S, LCU, SCU) – Isolating Hazardous Electrical Energy
Trapped Key interlocking is a tried and tested method of mechanically isolating dangerous machinery and hazardous processes. Find out more about our range of isolation solutions.
Select from the Mechanical Trapped Key Range
Select a product from our Mechanical Trapped Key Range; mGard
Fortress Locks – How to Design a Lock for your Environment?
Door Modules (DM/DMS) for mechanical only access to hazardous spaces.
Integration of Machinery into a System – ISO 11161 and B11.20
ISO 11161 Safety of Machinery – Integrated manufacturing systems – Basic requirements is not a standard that catches the eye as a go to standard for the designer of machinery safety systems, but should it be? Incorporating two or more interconnected machines for a specific application constitutes an Integrated Manufacturing System (IMS), and in the… Continue reading Integration of Machinery into a System – ISO 11161 and B11.20
Fortress Keys – What’s in a Key? What’s in an Engraving?
Door Modules (DM/DMS) for mechanical only access to hazardous spaces.
Safeguarding Supportive System ISO/TR 22053 2021
What is ISO/TR 22053? ISO/TR 22053 Safety of Machinery – Safeguarding supportive system (SSS) was published in February 2021 with little to no fanfare. It is a Technical Report rather than a Standard or Technical Specification. Technical reports tend to focus on data from an informative report, or information of the perceived “state… Continue reading Safeguarding Supportive System ISO/TR 22053 2021
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What is Control Reliability?
ANSI B11.26 uses Control Reliability to talk about safety related parts of control systems, we compare this to ISO 13849 and IEC 62061
Key Operated Mechanical Door Modules (DM) for Access to Hazardous Environments
Door Modules (DM/DMS) for mechanical only access to hazardous spaces.
Using Trapped Key Interlocking to Enhance Lockout / Tagout
Lockout is used to control hazardous energy and often required by regulations. Trapped key interlocking can enhance it to reduce human error.
Escape, Emergency and Auxiliary Release
Escape, emergency and auxiliary release all override guard locking for entry or exit from a safeguarded space, what’s the difference?
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Whole Body Access – How to keep operators safe
Protect operators in whole body access from unexpected start-up by using manual reset functions, presence sensing devices or inhibit functions
PLe Mechanical Trapped Key Interlocking Systems
Trapped key interlocks can met the highest level of machinery safety, Category 4 or Performance level e, this article, using ISO TR 19837 explains how.
What are Interlocks with Guard Locking?
What is guard locking and when do I need to use it?
Construction Materials – Clay Extrusion Silo Safety- Whole Body Access & The Escape Release
Designing a safeguarding solution for whole body access with an escape release. When are Proactive Inhibit Functions unnecessary for safe access? Learn more about the Fortress Solution in this article.
Allow Individuals To Control Restart Of Equipment – Interlock Blocking with Padlocks
How can a lock out or tag out feature be designed into a safeguarding device?
Construction Materials – Instantaneous Access to a Brick Setter
Instant access to machinery can be achieved with a monitoring only interlock. When whole body access is also being performed in these locations, measures should be designed to mechanically prevent unexpected restart. Learn more about the Fortress Solution in this article.
EN 528 – Designing a Safeguarding Solution
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems – How to Design your Safeguarding Solution to Meet EN 528
Paper Machine Safety and Preventing Machine Restart – Roller / Winder
In paper production, access to machinery is required on a frequent basis. Whilst performing access, it is crucial to have measures which prevent unexpected restart to keep operators safe from harm.
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PROFINET/PROFIsafe and EtherNet/IP with CIP Safety – Safety Devices
Guard Interlocks with Guard locking, and with network communication via Ethernet/IP with CIP safety or PROFINET with PROFIsafe
Inhibit Functions – Proactive and Reactive
What’s the difference between proactive and reactive inhibit functions and when should I use
them? Inhibit functions should be used any time someone could be…
ISO 11161 – Safety of Machinery – Integrated manufacturing systems
ISO 11161 – Safety of Machinery – Integrated manufacturing systems – Basic requirements – Why it is important?
How to reset automated equipment…
How to reset automated equipment where there is no visibility inside the safeguarded space – ISO13849-1 insights
Paper / Pulp – Recycling Facility
Recycling processes that involve machining paper & pulp can create dust, dirt and often require heavy duty wash-down procedures to clean machinery and remove byproducts.
Construction Materials – Brick Forming
In large brick forming facilities, parallel conveyors can be used to transport bricks between the hazardous forming process to the packaging and palletiser areas.
Automotive Manufacture Safety – Body Shop
Long production lines operating alongside heavy industrial machinery, lots of entrances and frequent access can make gate interlock installation inefficient and costly.
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What is Trapped Key Interlocking?
Trapped Key Interlocking Put simply, Trapped Key Interlocking uses mechanical devices to keep operators safe by holding guards closed until it is safe to enter the area. The simplest way of achieving this is with a key switch and a door module with one key. The key is trapped in the switch while it… Continue reading What is Trapped Key Interlocking?
Warehouse Automation – Robotic Palletiser
Case study showcasing robotic palletiser safety in an automated warehouse.
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FAQ – tGard – How to rotate the head
Watch our short FAQ video explaining how to rotate the head of a Fortress tGard safety interlock. This allows flexibility to use the interlock device on a wide range of door types and directions.
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FAQ – tGard – How to change the handing of a handle actuator
Watch our short video explaining how to change the handing of a tGard handle actuator. This will allow you to use your tGard interlocks on doors which open in either direction.
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Robust Safety Gate Switches – Introducing amGardpro
Our video below explains some of the key features of our amGardpro range of Robust Safety Gate Switches.
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Interlocks for Explosive Atmospheres – Alfred Range – YouTube Video
Video showcasing the Alfred range of interlocks certified for explosive atmospheres and hazardous environments.