Cutting tool safety system
A woodworking machine is disclosed. The machine includes a cutting tool and a motor adapted to drive the cutting tool. The machine further includes a detection system to detect a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, such as a person coming into contact with the cutting tool. A reaction system is provided to disable the cutting tool, such as by covering, blocking, destroying, wrapping, etc., upon detection by the detection system of the dangerous condition.
1. A woodworking machine comprising:
a support structure;
a cutting tool supported by the support structure, where the cutting tool includes a cutting portion;
a motor adapted to drive the cutting tool;
a detection system to detect a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person; and
a reaction system adapted to cover the cutting portion of the cutting tool with a flexible material upon detection by the detection system of the dangerous condition.
2. The machine of claim 1 , where the flexible material is a fabric material.
3. The machine of claim 1 , where the flexible material is a metal material.
4. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the cutting tool is circular with cutting edges disposed around a perimeter and the reaction system is adapted to wrap a strip of material around the perimeter of the cutting tool.
5. The machine of claim 1 where the flexible material is a metal sheet.
6. The machine of claim 1 where the flexible material is metal mesh.
7. The machine of claim 1 where the flexible material is plastic.
8. The machine of claim 1 where the reaction system is adapted to wrap the flexible material around the cutting portion.
9. The machine of claim 1 where the machine is a jointer.
10. The machine of claim 1 where the machine is a saw.
11. The machine of claim 1 where the machine is a shaper.
12. A woodworking machine comprising:
an electrically conductive cutter;
a detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutter, where the detection system is adapted to capacitively impart an electric signal on the cutter, and to detect the occurrence of a determined change in the electric signal on the cutter; and
a reaction system associated with the detection system and the cutter, where the reaction system covers the cutter with a flexible material upon detection of contact between the person and the cutter by the detection system.
13. The machine of claim 1 where the flexible material is a rubber material.
14. The machine of claim 1 where the flexible material is metal foil.