Today, Wuxi Rihuan Sensor Technology Co., Ltd. will introduce how to prevent the optical axis from deviating when safety grating is installed on vibrating equipment. 

On equipment such as presses, presses, forging machines, and large bending machines, the installation of safety grilles faces a particular challenge - vibration. The continuous vibration during the operation of the equipment will be transmitted to the grilles through the supports, causing the optical axis between the transmitter and the receiver to gradually shift. Once the optical axis is off, it can result in frequent false alarms that cause the equipment to stop unexpectedly, or worse, the equipment fails to stop when it should, making the safety protection ineffective. 

1. Why does vibration cause the grating to "deviate"?

The influence of vibration on the safety grating mainly manifests in two aspects: 

Mechanical aspect: During the operation of the equipment, the vibration will be transmitted to the grating body through the mounting brackets. Over time, the cumulative micro-displacements will cause the transmitter and receiver to shift from "perfect alignment" to "slightly skewed". The vibration of the stamping and bending equipment is particularly significant. Over a long period of time, the grating bracket may become loose, resulting in the deviation of the optical axis. 

Electrical aspect: Continuous vibration will also accelerate the detachment of solder joints on the circuit board, causing signal disorder. Some devices may also experience instantaneous shocks. If the grating can only withstand the intensity of continuous vibration, the internal components may also become loose. 

The combined result of the two is that the raster signal is intermittent and the reliability of protection has significantly decreased. 

II. Solution 1: Use dedicated anti-vibration brackets

Ordinary brackets will directly transmit the vibration of the equipment to the grating. Anti-vibration brackets have been specially designed to optimize for vibration environments. 

Some safety grating manufacturers offer rigidly adjustable brackets and vibration dampers to prevent strong vibrations. These accessories can be quickly installed and aligned, providing high machine availability. When installing light curtains in areas prone to vibration, it is essential to use dedicated intermediate support brackets. Metal L-shaped brackets are suitable for equipment such as presses and injection molding machines to ensure load-bearing capacity. 

In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the installation height of the support. When the equipment is subjected to strong vibration during operation, the upper support should be selected for installation. This will ensure that the housing of the safety grating is securely mounted on the support, achieving a more stable fixation effect. 

III. Solution 2: Install shock absorbers and shock pads

Adding shock pads or shock absorbers between the support frame and the equipment is an effective way to block the transmission of vibrations. 

If the vibration amplitude of the equipment is significant (greater than 0.3mm), rubber buffer pads should be installed between the support and the equipment. For particularly vibration-prone equipment, shock-absorbing pads can be considered. 

A more professional solution is to adopt a multi-level shock absorption structure. A stable safety grating with anti-shaking function employs a multi-level buffering installation structure: the air shock absorber achieves first-level shock absorption and energy absorption, the spring shock absorber achieves second-level buffering and energy reduction, and the Yuli glue combined with the rubber plate achieve third-level energy dissipation and shock prevention, effectively preventing the grating from shaking along with the equipment during operation. 

Four. Solution 3: Use independent floor-standing brackets

If the vibration of the equipment itself is too intense, the most thorough solution is to physically separate the grating from the equipment - use independent floor-standing brackets to install the grating on the ground or on an independent base, completely disconnecting it from the vibrating equipment. 

The bracket with assembled columns can be stably fixed on the ground and has adjustment function. Although this method has higher installation cost and occupies more space, it is the most reliable solution for large-scale pressure machines, forging machines, and other equipment with intense vibration. 

V. Regular Maintenance After Installation

After the vibration prevention measures are properly installed, it does not mean that the problem is solved once and for all. The press and bending equipment vibrates significantly, and over time, the grating support may still become loose. It is recommended to check the bracket bolts once every quarter to ensure that the grating is in a properly aligned state. If the equipment vibrates extremely severely, the inspection frequency should be appropriately increased. 

Before installation, it is also necessary to select the corresponding seismic grade of safety gratings based on the vibration frequency and acceleration of the equipment. In scenarios with high-frequency vibrations, models with a higher seismic grade should be preferred. 

Summary

Solution Applicable Scenarios Core Function

Anti-vibration Bracket Medium-vibration equipment (press machines, injection molding machines) Stiff fixation + damping shock absorption

Shock Absorbing Pad/Shock Absorber All kinds of vibration environments Block the vibration transmission path

Multi-level Shock Absorption Structure Severe vibration equipment Sequentially absorb vibration energy

Independent Floor Support Bracket Large presses, forging presses Physically isolate from the equipment

Safety Light Bar Installed on the Vibration Equipment, "The light bar turns on when installed" is only the first step. The real problem is: After the equipment has been running for three months, is the light axis still in its original position? Anti-vibration brackets, shock absorbers, independent supports - choosing the right solution and conducting regular inspections are necessary to ensure that the light bar can work reliably in the vibration environment for a long time. 

Welcome to follow us at Rihuan Sensing to obtain professional vibration-based environmental safety protection solutions.