Time and Distance Measurement

Time and Distance Measurement

We offer reaction time measurements of safety devices in accordance with the requirements of EN ISO 13855 or, in the case of press brakes, in accordance with the PE-EN 12622 standard. Thanks to the graphical representation of the recorded values of speed and travel of the tested element with an accuracy of up to 1 ms and a resolution of up to 1 mm, not only can stopping times of up to 0 mm/s be determined, but also safe conditions that are not possible with other concentricity measuring devices (e.g. the moment of venting of the element).

We offer the service of this measurement on customer's machines. We carry out regular safety checks of the machinery in operation according to the Czech National Electrical Code 378/2001 Coll., §3 (4) (b), where the requirement to place protective equipment at a safe distance from the hazardous area is stated. In addition, Section 4(2) of NV No 378/2001 Coll. stipulates the obligation to carry out a subsequent safety check of machinery in operation. Measurement of the stopping time is necessary to determine the correct safe distance of the location of the safety device from the dangerous part of the machine.

Directive 2006/42/EC (176/2008 Coll.), setting out the essential requirements for the safety of machinery and the conditions for its placing on the market, clearly sets out the rules for new products placed on the EU market.

Measurements shall be carried out on new machinery and on machinery already in operation.

The measurement of the running time of machines according to Directive 2006/42/EC ( 176/2008 Coll.) and NV 378/2001 Coll. applies in particular to the following equipment:

1. AOPD - active optoelectronic protective devices → light barriers
2. PSPD - pressure sensitive protective devices → guard edges and floor mats
3. Consistent command control → two-hand control
4. Machine-operated covers

For new machinery:
In order to place the equipment on the market, the manufacturer must ensure its compliance with the legislation, which in practice means that if opto-electronic and/or mechanical sensing devices are designed and installed, the calculated safe distance must be verified by physical measurement before placing on the market.

For operating machinery:
Regular safety check of the operated machinery according to the Czech National Electrical Code 378/2001 Coll., §3 (4) (b), where the requirement to place protective equipment at a safe distance from the hazardous area is stated. In addition, Article 4(2) of NV No 378/2001 Coll. lays down the obligation to carry out a subsequent safety check of the machinery in operation at least once every 12 months from the time the machinery is put into operation.

The safety distance (how far away from the risk area a safety component must be placed) is based upon the machines stopping time. The basic idea is that a safety component should be placed so far from the risk area that it is not possible to enter the area before the machine has stopped.

Stopping time, walking speed (1.6 m/s) and hand speed (2.0 m/s) is used for the calculation of safety distances. Sometimes a fixed minimum distance is also used. See the standard EN ISO 13855 for more details on the calculation of safety distances.