Pinnacle Systems, Inc. - Safety Light Curtains, Safety Mat Systems and Ergonomic Palm Buttons
Page: UltraTouch Product Overview


Product Overview
 

The patented Pinnacle UltraTouch system has been designed as a direct replacement for standard spring loaded mechanical palm buttons and is designed to fit into existing operator palm button stations without modification.

The UltraTouch enclosure is a molded high strength NEMA 4 polycarbonate module designed to meet the high impact and vibration requirements of industry. The solid state electronics of the UltraTouch switch incorporates an advanced redundant diverse sensor design. This means that each module has two different sensors with isolated circuits along with a monitoring redundant circuit. The circuitry of the UltraTouch is also designed to provide second-order failure protection. This gives the UltraTouch an unparalleled level of safety and assurance against inadvertent actuation, or failing in the "on" or conducting mode, which is a common problem found throughout industry with competitive ergonomic switch replacements.

 

 

The UltraTouch design is so safe against inadvertent actuation, that two UltraTouch modules when spaced and located properly in accordance to OSHA and ANSI hand control distance formulas (the same formula is used for mechanical palm buttons), permit its use as an operator safety two hand control device. The UltraTouch dual dissimilar sensor format is designed for the machine operator to actuate the switch, and that no inadvertent foreign objects such as a sleeves, insects, broomsticks, playing cards, rags, mists or droplets can activate or trigger the switch. This gives UltraTouch an unparalleled level of safety while giving the operator the benefit of using the correct ergonomic hand position of neutral, 0° deviation and 100% hand power.

UltraTouch Configuration
The UltraTouch dual dissimilar sensor ergonomic palm switch is configured in the following manner:

The U-shaped sensors actuation channel provides a triggering point for the machine operators hand. This is where the invisible infrared light beam is located and is crossing the channel. There is also a unique U-shaped location sensor mounted on the inside of the UltraTouch enclosure that hugs the sensor channel and is insulated by the enclosure itself. When the machine operator inserts their hand into the sensors actuation tunnel, both the infrared sensor and the location sensor must be satisfied in order to energize an electromechanical relay to send a cycle start signal to the machine. Both individual sensors within each module are time interlocked, and if both sensors are not triggered concurrently by the operators hand, the UltraTouch output will be inhibited to the machine control. The module also contains two visible LED indicators which informs the status of the UltraTouch module to the operator. A green LED indicates that the relay contacts are closed, both sensors have been activated and no failures have been detected. The red LED indicates that the relay contacts are open and no satisfactory conditions were detected on both sensors. This advanced patented UltraTouch design is not available on any competitive units and gives the UltraTouch user an unparalleled level of safety when using ergonomic zero force actuation devices. Additionally, the operator will be activating the machine properly by using the correct ergonomic hand position of neutral, 0° deviation and 100% hand power.

Easy to Install
UltraTouch installs with ease and comes with complete installation instructions. Simple module design permits direct exchange for existing spring loaded mechanical palm buttons and even utilize the existing screw holes on the run bar. All systems have normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC) contacts, and are also available in a four (4) pole wiring configuration depending on the machine control requirements. The ultimate in versatility!

New installations and retrofit projects are completely installed in minutes by a qualified electrician. Also supplied is a toll free 800 number if any questions should arise by your installation personnel.

UltraSafe Design
Each UltraTouch switch module incorporates the following safety design features:

  • Two dissimilar sensors
    • Infrared sensor
    • Positive location sensor
  • Redundant circuitry
  • Chatter free design circuit
  • Anti-noise circuit
  • No false trip on power up circuit
  • Captive contact safety relays
  • Operator status indicators
  • Interlock circuit between the diverse sensors
    • Immune to EMI and RFI noise
    • Immune to weld field interference
  • Control reliable design

 



OSHA, ANSI CSA Standards
The mounting locations of UltraTouch must conform to all State, Province and Federal codes and all regulations pertaining to the subject machine on which the UltraTouch is to be applied.

Point of Operation Guarding
The UltraTouch System is a machine cycle initiation component that is designed to be a two-hand control device for the machine operator. If a point of operation guarding device is desired or required, please contact your local Pinnacle distributor or the factory for devices to comply with ANSI B11.1 or the various OSHA regulations.

(Below standards are only partial)
American National Standard B11.19-1990
4.2.4.2.3 Two-Hand Control Devices. The two-hand control shall be designed to protect each hand control against accidental or unintentional operation.
The two-hand control shall have the individual operator's hand controls arranged by design, construction, or separation to require the use of both hands to cycle the machine tool.
The two-hand control shall be designed to require concurrent operation of both the operator's hand controls to cycle the machine tool.
If more than one operator is to be safeguarded by the use of two-hand controls, each operator shall have individual operator's hand controls. The selection of the operator's controls shall be capable of being supervised by the employer. Additionally, each selected two-hand control shall be concurrently operated before the machine tool is cycled. The two-hand control system shall be designed and constructed so as to prevent cycling of the machine tool if all the operator's stations are deselected.
The two-hand control shall be designed to require the release of all selected operator's hand controls and the reactuation of all operator's controls before a machine cycle can be initiated.

4.2.4.3 Operation
4.2.4.3.1 It shall be the responsibility of the employer to ensure that the two-hand operating lever, trip, or control device is installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with this standard.
4.2.4.3.2 The device shall be located at a distance from the nearest hazard such that the operator cannot reach the hazard with a hand or other body part before cessation of motion of the hazardous portion of the machine cycle. The two-hand operating lever trip, or control device shall require concurrent actuation of both of the operating levers or hand controls to initiate a machine cycle.
4.2.4.3.3 The two-hand control device shall require the concurrent actuation of the operator's hand controls during the hazardous portion of the machine cycle such that the operator cannot reach the hazard before the hazardous motion has ceased.

OSHA Federal Register Section 1910.217
(v) Two-hand controls for single stroke shall conform to the following requirements:
(a) Each hand control shall be protected against unintended operation and arranged by design, construction, and/or separation so that the concurrent use of both hands is required to trip the press.
(b) The control system shall be designed to permit an adjustment which will require concurrent pressure from both hands during the die closing portion of the stroke.
(c) The control system shall incorporate an anti-repeat feature.
(d) The control systems shall be designed to require release of all operators' hand controls before an interrupted stroke can be resumed. This requirement pertains only to those single-stroke, two-hand controls manufactured and installed on or after August 31,1971.

(vii) The two-hand control device shall protect the operator as specified in paragraph (c)(3(i)(e) of section 1910.217
(a) When used in press operations requiring more than one operator, separate two-hand controls shall be provided for each operator, and shall be designed to require concurrent application of all operators' controls to activate the slide. The removal of a hand from any control button shall cause the slide to stop.
(b) Each two-hand control shall meet the construction requirements of paragraph (b)(7)(v) of this section.
(c) The safety distance (Ds) between each two-hand control device and the point of operation shall be greater than the distance determined by the following formula:
Ds=63 inches/second X Ts: where: Ds-minimum safety distance (inches): 63 inches/second=hand speed constant and Ts-stopping time of the press measured at approximately 90 position of crankshaft rotation (seconds) .
(d) Two-hand controls shall be fixed in position so that only a supervisor or safety engineer is capable of relocating the controls.

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UltraTouch Patent Number 5,410,148 - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office 

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   Model SS Solid State Outputs Safety Light Curtain
   Model SS Product Overview
   Model SS Blanking Options
   Model SS Safety Relay
   Model SS Specs and Dimensions
   Model SS Ordering Procedure
   Model SS Accessories
   Model MG Metal Box Controller and Safety Light Curtain
   Model MG Product Overview
   Model MG Smart Controller
   Model MG Design Criteria
   Model MG Features
   Model MG Dimensions
   Model MG Blanking Options
   Model MG Ordering Procedure
   Model MG Accessories
   Model MG Ethernet Option
   Model DR DIN-rail Controller and Safety Light Curtain
   Model DR Product Overview
   Model DR Smart Controller
   Model DR Design Criteria
   Model DR Features
   Model DR Dimensions
   Model DR Blanking Options
   Model DR Ordering Procedure
   Model DR Accessories
   Model CE Solid State Outputs Global Safety Light Curtain
   Model CE Product Overview
   Model CE Blanking Options
   Model CE Safety Relay
   Model CE Specs and Dimensions
   Model CE Ordering Procedure
   Model CE Accessories
   Model CA Cascading Safety Light Curtain
   Model CA Product Overview
   Model CA Blanking Options
   Model CA Safety Relay
   Model CA Specs and Dimensions
   Model CA Ordering/Pricing Procedure
   Model CA Accessories
   Model PPG Perimeter Guarding
   Model PPG Product Overview
   Model PPG Dimensions
   Model PPG Ordering Procedure
   Model PPG Accessories
Safety Mat Systems
   NSD Safety Mat System
   NSD Product Overview
   NSD No Steel Electrodes?
   NSD Mat Controllers
   NSD Layout Procedure
   NSD Trim Kits
   NSD Ordering Procedure
   NSD Sizing Your System
   NSD Wiring Options
   NSD Safety Modules
   STTS Safety Mat System
   STTS Product Overview
   STTS Design Criteria
   STTS Mat Controllers
   STTS Controller Dimensions
   STTS Layout Procedure
   STTS Trim Kits
   STTS Ordering Procedure
   STTS Sizing Your System
   Direction of Travel Mats
   High-Temp Welding Mats
Ergonomic Palm Buttons
   UltraTouch Product Overview
   What can UltraTouch do for you?
   UltraTouch Benefits
   Ergonomic Palm Button Comparison
   UltraTouch Specifications
   UltraTouch Dimensions
   UltraTouch Models Available
   UltraTouch Ordering Procedure and Finding a Part Number
   UltraTouch Accessories
Programmable Safety Controller
Safety Interlock Switches
   GKM Series
   GKN Series
   GKE Series
   GK Series
   GKR/GKL Series
   GSS Series
   1CPS Series
   2CPS Series
   FF3-21-DC-03
   FF5-21-DC-03
   FF6-10-DC-03
   FFS-11-03
   BX Series
   GSX Series
   CLSX Series
   Stack Lights Product Overview
   Stack Lights Ordering Procedure
   Stack Lights Dimensions
   Stack Lights Specifications
   Stack Lights Wiring Diagrams
   Stack Lights Accessories
   Stack Lights Accessories Mounting Poles
   Stack Lights Accessories Mounting Bases
   Stack Lights Wall Accessories Mount Brackets
Fencing
   Fencing Overview
   Fencing Specifications
   Fencing Styles
   Complies with Safety Standards
   OSHA Table 0-10
   Fencing Warranty
   Proposal Request
E-Stops & Stack Lights
Metal Stamping / Pressroom Products
   Press Control Design Criteria
   Punch Press Clutch/Brake Controls
   Press Automation
   Die Protection
   Tonnage Monitoring
   Programmable Limit Switches
   Time-Based Brake Monitors
Safety Glossary
   Glossary A-C
   Glossary D-F
   Glossary G-I
   Glossary J-L
   Glossary M-O
   Glossary P-R
   Glossary S-U
   Glossary V-Z
Risk Assessment
Repair of Products
Corporate Profile
Standards and Regulations
   1910.211
   1910.212
   1910.213
   1910.216
   1910.217
   Appendix A
   Appendix B
   Appendix C
   Appendix D
   ISO and IEC Standards
   What Does OSHA Do?
   ANSI
   Domestic and International Standards Organizations
   OSHA Concept and Techniques of Machine Guarding

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