The automobile industry is heavily automated and can be hazardous if not safeguarded properly. Ensuring safety whilst delivering productivity is vital to the industry and therefore safeguarding operators as well as guaranteeing that processes have optimum efficiency is a constant challenge for operating companies.
The Fortress range of safety interlocks is specifically designed for such applications and has been specified by many global automotive manufacturers and their equipment providers to ensure the strict safety procedures are enforced by means of electrical and mechanical interlocks.
Deebar has exclusively represented Fortress Interlocks for over 35 years in Africa, and assists many large manufacturers in the automotive industry to create workplaces where their employees are safeguarded from injury and equipment is protected from damage. Various applications are catered for, including automated paint systems, engine assembly, welding cells, seat buffer cells and any other processes that involve a series of robots. The interlocking process ensures that operators and or maintenance personnel can only enter the guarded area once all machinery is isolated and has come to rest. Guard doors are interlocked with safety gate switches such that power to all moving parts is isolated prior to opening the actual guard doors.
Easy installation and configuration
The Fortress Interlocks have a unique modular construction that allows easy configuration and provides total electro-mechanical solutions for practically any safeguarding application up to EN ISO 13849-1, Category 4, PLe (SIL3). This range of safety component products has been approved by TUV SUD.
Fortress offers a range of fully integrated safety interlocks, including solenoid and non-solenoid safety switches complete with a host of additional options including key control modules, internal and escape release, redundant sensors, lock out/tag out and push buttons, e-stops and indication lights for enhanced functionality, all assembled in one device. The robust construction of this range makes it ideal for use in a wide range of industrial applications when safety, strength and reliability are of paramount importance.
The flexibility and reliability of the Fortress range has been a contributing factor to many large motor companies such as Nissan and Ford choosing Fortress as their interlock of choice. With production increasing and upgrades to factories taking place, the Fortress Slimline range has been selected as the favourite due to its robust 10 kN retention force on the actuator and push button control functionality, which allows for easy control of the cells whilst ensuring safety standards are met.
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