AF50 Knowledge Base
AF50 Knowledge Base
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Safety

In This Section, You'll Learn:

About the standards and safety precautions associated with this machine.

Before operating the machine in any way, you must read and understand this section.

Safe operation of the machine depends on its proper use and the precautions you take. Only trained personnel — with a clear and thorough understanding of its operation and safety requirements — shall operate this machine.

Safety Overview

Before operating the machine in any way, you must read and understand this section.

  • Read and understand all safety messages used in this document.

  • Locate and understand all safety decals on the machine.

  • Locate and become familiar with all information decals on the machine.

Safety Messages

The following examples show the standard safety message types used to draw your attention to important information. The standards distinguish between personal injury safety messages and property damage warning messages.

Personal Injury

Personal injury safety messages have safety alert symbols and the following hazard level labels:

DANGER!  Indicates a hazard with a high level of risk which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING! Indicates a hazard with a medium level of risk which, if not avoided, can result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION! Indicates a hazard with a low level of risk which, if not avoided, can result in minor or moderate injury.

Property Damage

NOTICE! Indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, can cause property damage.

Machine Safety

Before operating the machine in any way, you must read and understand this section.

Safe operation of the machine depends on its proper use and the precautions you take. Only trained personnel — with a clear and thorough understanding of its operation and safety requirements — shall operate this machine.

General Shop Safety

  • Keep the work area well-lit. Use additional lighting if needed. The work area should be illuminated to a minimum of 500 lx.

  • Keep the work area temperature- and humidity-controlled.

  • Remove loose-fitting clothing, neckties, gloves, and jewelry.

  • Tie up long hair and secure it under a hat.

  • Wear safety eye protection rated for ANSI Z87+.

  • Wear closed-toed safety shoes.

  • Wear ear protection when you expect the machine or the machining processes to exceed safe exposure limits.

  • Keep the work area clean and free of clutter. Machine motion can occur if controls are accidentally activated.

  • Immediately clean up spills after they occur.

  • Never operate the machine after consuming alcohol or taking medication that could prevent you from safely operating the machine.

  • Never operate the machine while tired or otherwise impaired.

Operational Safety

General

  • Understand that the machine is automatically controlled and can start at any time.

  • Become familiar with all physical controls.

  • Always use a chip scraper or brush when clearing away chips, oil, or coolant.

  • Examine all blades, fixtures, workpieces, and guarding for signs of damage. Replace any damaged components as soon as you find them.
    Guards may not stop all types of projectiles, like broken blades or loose workpieces.

  • Stop the machine and verify that all machine motion has completely stopped before doing any of the following:

    • Adjusting a part, fixture, or coolant nozzle.

    • Changing blades or parts.

    • Clearing away chips, oil, or coolant.

    • Reaching into any part of the machine's motion envelope.

    • Removing protective shields or safeguards.

    • Taking measurements.

    • Doing any other action inside the guard.

  • Use flood or MQL (mist) coolant as required by the machining operation.

  • Only use coolants designed for metal working applications such as soluble oils, semi-synthetic, or synthetic coolants.

  • Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for all workpiece materials, coatings, coolants (flood or MQL), lubricants, and other consumables. Chips, dust, and vapors from certain materials can be toxic or otherwise harmful.

  • Understand that this product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov .

  • Dispose of scrap and swarf according to local regulations and guidelines.

  • Thoroughly read all safety precautions and instructions.

  • Never reach around a guard.

  • Never allow the machine to run unattended.

  • Never obstruct the Emergency Stop button or any other controls.

  • Never allow untrained operators to install, operate, or maintain the machine.

  • Never modify, defeat, or bypass safety devices or interlocks.

  • Never machine abrasive, carcinogenic, explosive, flammable, radioactive, or toxic materials. Such materials include, but are not limited to:

    • Beryllium and its alloys

    • Ceramic

    • Fiberglass

    • G10 fiberglass laminate

    • Graphite

    • Lead and its alloys

    • Magnesium and its alloys

  • Never allow swarf to accumulate on or within the machine.

  • Never use flammable liquids (like alcohol, diesel fuel, or kerosene) in the machine’s coolant system.

  • Never use water, coolants without rust inhibitors, or straight cutting oil in the machine’s coolant system.

Blades

  • Examine blades for signs of damage or missing teeth. Replace any damaged blades, or blades with missing teeth, as soon as you find them.

  • Wear gloves and safety eye protection when replacing blades.

  • Verify that the teeth on the blade point toward the workpiece.

  • Never use worn or damaged blades, or blades with missing teeth. Blades can break and become dangerous projectiles.

Workholding

  • Secure workpieces with appropriate workholding devices.

  • Verify that the workpiece is adequately secured.

  • Remove cutoff workpieces and other large chips before starting the machine.

  • Never leave tools, stock, or other loose items inside the machine.

  • Never use your hands to hold the workpiece during machining operations.

Electrical Safety

WARNING! Electrical Shock Hazard: You must power off the machine before making any electrical connections. If you don't, there's a risk of electrocution or shock.

  • Power off the machine before servicing.

  • Understand that certain electrical components can retain dangerous electrical voltages, even after the machine is powered off and all power is removed from the system.

  • Understand that certain installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures — for the machine and certain accessories — require access to or modification of wiring inside of the electrical cabinet. Only qualified electrical machinery technicians shall perform these procedures.

  • Confirm that the mains voltage conforms to requirements before connecting the machine.
    For more information, see “ Electrical and Power Requirements ”.

  • Confirm that the machine installation meets all codes and regulations of your locality.

  • Confirm that electrical connections are performed by a certified electrician.

  • Lock the electrical cabinet door and remove the keys when the machine is not being serviced to prevent unqualified or unauthorized personnel from accessing the electrical cabinet.

  • Never operate the machine with the electrical cabinet door open.

  • Never reach into the electrical cabinet with the machine powered on.

  • Never modify the machine's electronics.

  • Never drill into the electrical cabinet.

Looking for more information?

This is a section of the AF50 Autofeed Bandsaw operator's manual. To view the whole manual, go to Tormach document UM10538 .

If you have additional questions, we can help. Create a support ticket with Tormach Technical Support at tormach.com/how-to-submit-a-support-ticket for guidance on how to proceed.