High-Speed Safety: Sensor-Equipped Shock Absorbers in Automated Mail Sorting

A designer of high-speed material handling equipment for mail sorting needed an innovative safety solution for a new overhead crane-like system. The robot travels at speeds up to 120 in/sec and carries loads up to 1,000 lbs. Due to severe space limitations, the traditional manual emergency stop buttons had to be eliminated. The solution implemented was a modified ITT Enidine PM 2150 shock absorber featuring an integral pressure sensor. This sensor monitors the dynamic pressure during an impact, and in the event of a runaway condition, the resulting pressure surge immediately sends an electrical signal to shut down the drive motors. With the motors deactivated, the shock absorber then safely dampens the remaining kinetic energy, allowing the system to operate at maximum speeds while ensuring rapid, automatic emergency response. Take a look at the full application on the Enidine website: Special Pressure Sensing Shock Absorber Provides Emergency Shutdown
This is an excellent example of the type of applications our automation team helps our customers impement. Working with Cross Company means accessing innovative solutions to help improve quality, raise efficiency, and lower risk with custom solutions like this one from ITT Enidine. Intested in seeing how we can help improve your process? Reach out and start a conversation with one of our automation engineers today!