Steel company chooses solenoid interlocks

The amGard AutoLok safety switches regulate access to the battery area of the new Schwelgern furnaces that melt iron ore.

Fortress Interlocks has supplied German industrial giant ThyssenKrupp with amGard solenoid interlocks at its steel production plant in Duisburg, Germany.

The amGard AutoLok safety switches regulate access to the battery area of the new Schwelgern furnaces that melt iron ore.

The modern furnaces, part of KBS and sister company of ThyssenKrupp Steel, began production in 2003 and produce approximately 2.5 million tons a year.

The AutoLok is part of the amGard range of heavy duty industrial safety gate switches.

It has a robust steel tongue that traps the access door closed when the machinery is running.

Operated by a solenoid within the unit, the tongue is only released from the lock when the operators have stopped the machine and the run down time of the machine has elapsed, breaking the channels of the safety circuit.

The integral solenoid becomes energised and a yellow LED on the unit lights up to indicate the actuator can be released and the operator can open the guard door.

A red LED indicates when the tongue is removed.

A spokesperson for ThyssenKrupp commented that, "Safeguarding our workers is our number one priority".

"Using amGard eliminates the risk of human error and potential danger and just knowing our workers are protected brings huge relief".

AutoLok is particularly suited for machines that require quick and frequent access to equipment via hinged or sliding doors.

It is designed with a tamper proof locking mechanism and heavy-duty construction that can withstand even the harshest environment.

Both the head and tongue can rotate in 90 increments, and the tongue allows misalignment by +/-12mm.

AutoLok interlocks are suitable for category 4 high-risk applications.

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