Definitions

In the punching technique, the term "tool protection" refers to the query of important functions in the punching tool by means of binary sensors. Such sensors are, for example, photoelectric barriers, which check whether the punching strip has a hole at a certain place. If this is the case, the photoelectric barrier can pass and indicates "ok". If the hole is missing, perhaps because the stamp has broken, the signal query goes to malfunction and stops the machine. Photoelectric barriers can also be used for feed control. In this case, a query is made at a suitable location to make sure that the strip of material was also forwarded before the start of the next stroke..

Other typical sensors are initiators or proximity sensors that react to the presence of metal. They are used, for example, to query whether the finished punched parts have left the tool after the working stroke of the press (ejection control). If this is not the case, the parts are still in the tool and can cause major damage at the next stroke. Therefore, the machine must be stopped immediately..

Modern monitoring systems offer extensive query variants for the various controls and sensor types, which can be easily and simply set via touch screens.