A comprehensive guide to your most frequent questions
Machine Guards: general overview
Machine Guards refer to physical barriers that are installed near industrial machinery to enhance the safety of workers within the work area. Their primary function is to prevent access to dangerous machine parts and minimize the risk of injuries. In addition, they provide protection against equipment damage that may result from accidental collisions and create a clear separation between high-risk work areas and surrounding ones.
Using Machine Guards is one of the key measures recommended by Risk Analysis for preventing and protecting against potential hazards.
Risk Analysis involves identifying potential hazards and assessing associated risks to ensure the safety and health protection requirements of equipment/machinery comply with current regulations. This process also entails implementing protection measures to eliminate or reduce identified risks and residual risks. Additionally, Risk Analysis can provide guidance for scheduled maintenance of equipment, machines, and plants to ensure their ongoing compliance with essential safety requirements. It is advisable to enlist qualified and experienced workplace safety personnel to conduct Risk Analysis.
On-board Machine Guards refer to physical barriers that are installed directly on the machine’s moving parts to prevent access to hazardous areas and mitigate the risk of injuries. In contrast, Machine guarding Fences are physical barriers that surround the machine but are not directly attached to it.
Yes. EU and International guidelines (such as ANSI/RIA) mandate the use of Guards that adhere to particular construction and safety distance criteria to protect machinery. Without them, machines cannot be operated.
Machine Safety Guards that conform to regulations are created, produced, and evaluated in accordance with the most stringent Safety Standards. Apart from safeguarding operators, opting for Machine Guards that are compliant and of superior quality can avert penalties, sanctions, and production interruptions.
Machine Guards are utilized across a broad spectrum of industries, including paper, wood, glass, steel, plastic, bottling, and packaging. The particular needs of each sector play a critical role in determining the specifications of the appropriate protection. For instance, the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries necessitate Guards that meet stringent hygiene requirements.
Machine Guards used in industrial settings can be constructed from a range of materials, including steel, aluminum, polycarbonate, and more. The selection of materials depends on various factors, such as the production environment or conditions. It is crucial to seek advice from experienced professionals to determine the most appropriate material for the intended purpose.
Regular cleaning and examination of the Machine Guards are highly recommended to avoid harm or errors. Any deteriorated or damaged components should be replaced right away to guarantee the safety of employees and reduce potential machine downtime.
Satech Industrial Safety Fencing
1. Getting to know Satech
Our Industrial Safety Fencings offer numerous advantages, including fast installation, durability against impacts or harsh surroundings, versatility, and adjustability. Our team will assist you for free in selecting the appropriate Fence type for your requirements and the characteristics of the area that requires protection.
When we refer to “Products,” we’re talking about the individual components of safety perimeters, such as panels, posts, brackets, doors, locks, and accessories. These can be standard, non-stock standard, or customized, each with varying order preparation times.
“Systems” are combinations of basic products, such as posts, panels, and assembly elements, designed to meet common needs. Each system (BASIC, STRONG, and FastGuard 20) comes equipped with a 20-mm frame and unique features and purposes.
“Solutions” for Industrial Safety Fencing may include standard, customized, or tailor-made products. These can be composed of one or more of our systems or completely custom-built and designed to meet each customer’s specific needs. Our Solutions are always personalized for each customer.
The cost per meter of Satech Machine Guard Fencing is dependent on several factors including the size and finish of panels/posts, the type of system used, and the number and type of doors required. As a comprehensive safety fencing solution, the cost is influenced by a range of different products and components.
Our knowledgeable Sales Team will provide expert guidance to help you select the most suitable system. Meanwhile, our Quotations Department will create a customized layout and offer a competitive quote that meets your specific needs. This personalized approach ensures that you receive an optimized solution that meets both your safety requirements and budget.
Absolutely! In the United States and Canada, we have teamed up with Schmersal USA, the market leader, to distribute our Machine Guard Systems extensively. This partnership also enables us to offer a wide range of machine safeguarding locks, automation switches, sensors, and control accessories.
In Italy, we have eight representative agencies that provide full commercial coverage and technical assistance in each region. Furthermore, our direct offices in France, Germany, and Japan, as well as our extensive network of over 40 distributors, enable us to serve our clients locally in every corner of the world.
Drop us a line by using our Quick Contact Form to locate the nearest Satech commercial partner to you.
Yes they are! Our STRONG System comes with an assembly system withstanding up to 1608 J, which is ideal to protect robots and robotic cells in compliance with the stringent safety requirements set by ANSI/RIA Regulations.
Yes. Our Smart Factory is dedicated to minimizing its impact on the environment through an ISO 14001 certified environmental management system. We achieve this by continuously monitoring and improving our production processes, thereby reducing industrial discharge, waste, and emissions. We also utilize renewable energy sources, implement timed lighting, and have implemented wastewater recovery systems to further reduce our energy consumption.
For more information, please visit our Company page.
2. Learning about product specifications
Satech Machine Safety Fences are constructed using high-quality steel, which is mostly sourced from recycled raw materials.
Satech Machine Safety Fences are available in three different systems, namely BASIC, STRONG, and FastGuard 20. The standard heights of these systems are 2220 mm (87.40 inches) and 2620 mm (103.14 inches). The framed panels come in seven standard widths ranging from 200 mm (7.87 inches) to 1500 mm (59 inches). However, these panels can be combined to obtain intermediate sizes in increments of 100 mm (3.93 inches) to fit any layout perfectly.
We also offer custom-sized panels and posts with non-standard heights upon request. This allows for greater flexibility in meeting your specific safety needs.
The dimensions of the Satech mesh for framed panels are 20 x 100 mm (0.79 x 3.93 inches), with a slot size of 17 x 97 mm (0.67 x 3.81 inches).
Satech Perimeter Fences can be installed at a minimum distance of 120 mm from hazards. This is in accordance with the guidelines specified in EN ISO 13857, 4.2.4.1 for “Access through regular openings”. By using the appropriate type of guard, the safety perimeter can occupy less space.
3. Configuring your Satech Industrial Safety Fencing
Our safety fencing solutions offer a range of customization options, including:
• Doors: we offer doors with various opening sizes and types of movement that enable safe access to the machinery.
• Panels: we provide panels in different materials, such as mesh, solid sheet metal, polycarbonate, or a combination of these, to protect against scrap ejection and/or ensure visibility of the hazard zone.
• Locking systems: our locking systems feature a range of functions, including magnet locks, mechanical locks, and interlocks.
• Brackets: we provide brackets for locks and locking systems to ensure secure fastening.
• Accessories: we offer accessories that can be added to the fence to adapt it to specific needs.
Selecting the locking system relies on analyzing the necessary safety functions that are assessed during the Risk Assessment. The EN ISO 13849-1 standard outlines the criteria for developing and executing control systems that encompass locks positioned on Barriers. The Required Performance Level (PLr) is assigned to each safety function to minimize the risk of harm and destruction, determined by the severity, frequency, and ability to prevent the hazard.
Discover additional information regarding the locking alternatives provided for our Safety fences on this page.
4. Customizing your Satech Industrial Safety Fencing
Our CustomGuard range of products feature personalized options for machinery safety, such as:
• Personalized colors and finishes that prevent corrosion (such as Galvanization and Triplex System);
• Panels with unique dimensions, shapes, or cuts;
• Posts that come in non-standard heights or with larger sections, and include laser holes and cuts;
• Customized brackets for interlocks and Safety Switches;
• Vertical doors with openings that are manually operated, pneumatic, or motorized, and are available in large sizes (up to 15 meters);
• Comprehensive solutions for the safety of your machinery.
For more information on CustomGuard, please download our General Catalog.
Yes! We can produce our Machine Guard Fencings in any RAL color upon your request. The lead time and cost for these personalized options will be determined during the quoting process. Kindly mention your preferred color in your Request for Quote.
5. Complying with international Regulations
Absolutely. Satech Machine Protections are manufactured in total compliance with the EN ISO 14120 Standard (as well as the equivalent ANSI/RIA R15.06 and JIS B 9716), which sets out the “Basic requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable guards.” They are intended to be positioned based on the “Safety distances to prevent access to danger zones with upper and lower limbs” specified in the EN ISO 13857 Standard.
6. Preparing your Order
Our warehouses are managed by Satech operators who pick products, components, and assembly kits. The layout of their workspaces is designed to enhance efficiency and minimize errors.
To streamline the shipping process and reduce expenses, we employ a vertical packaging system. Our skilled personnel meticulously prepare each pallet by securing and safeguarding all items and parts, ensuring that they remain intact during transit. Additionally, our software incorporates a photographic monitoring feature, enabling us to view images of the pallets ready for shipment at any time.
The minimum preparation time for our standard stock items is 6 business days. Preparation times for standard non-stock products, for personalized CustomGuard products and for turnkey projects differ according to the complexity of the order.
As preparation times can also fluctuate based on the season, workload, or current market conditions, it is advisable to contact your Satech representatives. They will give you an estimate of the time required to fulfill your order, beginning from the quotation.
Please note that the Order Confirmation document always indicates the actual preparation times.
For further information on lead times for our Products and Systems, please refer to our General Catalog.
Yes. Satech products with customized colors come with variable working days of preparation time compared to the time required for standard colors (RAL 9005, RAL 1021, and RAL 7035). Ask your local sales representative to know the exact order preparation time of your Order.
7. Installing Satech Machine Fences
Not at all! Installing our Safety Fences is simple and quick. The amount of time required varies on various factors such as the area’s size that requires protection, the specific system chosen, the preferred additional accessories and complements, as well as the degree of customization needed.
No. Our Guarding Systems have been designed to provide a quick and seamless installation. What’s more, the entirety of components is manufactured with light and resistant materials to make handling and installation even easier.
Absolutely! Every purchase comes with Assembly Instructions for the systems and products purchased to guide you step-by-step through the installation.
Our typical Perimeter Guards are created for indoor use. In case you require outdoor installation, we suggest opting for finishes that provide protection against corrosion and other weather-related factors. You can discover more about our finish alternatives by accessing our General Catalog.