Overview of the MAKESafe E-Stop & Anti-Restart System
PowerSafe Automation now offers the MAKESafe E-Stop & Anti-Restart System, a simple plug-and-play machine safety solution designed to upgrade the controls on common machine shop and industrial equipment.
Also known as the MAKESafe Power Tool Control (PTC), the system combines three important machine-control functions into one compact package: start/stop control, emergency stopping, and protection against unintended restart following a loss and restoration of power.
It provides a practical retrofit option for legacy equipment that may still operate with older switches or controls that do not provide the level of protection expected in today's industrial environments.
Why MAKESafe E-Stop & Anti-Restart?
Older machine tools are common throughout manufacturing facilities, maintenance departments, fabrication shops, toolrooms, schools, and training facilities.
While these machines may continue to perform their intended function, their original electrical controls may lack modern safety features.
One common concern is unexpected machine restart following a power interruption. If power is lost while a machine is running, some older control configurations can allow the machine to resume operation when power returns.
The MAKESafe system provides an easy way to add modern machine controls without completely redesigning the machine's electrical system.
For many compatible machines, installation can be completed by connecting the machine to the Power Tool Control, securing or covering the machine's existing switch as appropriate, and mounting the new operator control station in an accessible location.
Need help determining whether your machine is compatible? Contact PowerSafe Automation with the machine make, model, voltage, horsepower, and a few photos.
Three Safety Functions in One System
Anti-Restart Protection
- Following a loss of electrical power, the system requires a deliberate restart command before the machine can resume operation.
- This helps reduce the risk of unexpected startup when power is restored.
Emergency Stop
- MAKESafe identifies this as a Category 1 emergency stop, meaning the braking action occurs as part of a controlled stop before power removal.
Start / Stop Machine Controls
- Dedicated start and stop pushbuttons provide clearly identifiable operator controls while replacing reliance on older machine-mounted switches for normal operation.
Key Features
- Plug-and-Play Installation Designed to retrofit compatible industrial machines without requiring extensive machine control modifications.
- Unintentional Restart Prevention Requires deliberate operator action to restart the machine following interruption and restoration of electrical power.
- Integrated Emergency Stop Provides a dedicated latching E-stop directly at the operator control station.
- Three-Button Operator Station Combines Start, Stop, and Emergency Stop functions into one compact control panel.
- Remote Control Placement A 5-foot tether allows the operator controls to be positioned in a convenient and accessible location.
- Industrial Construction Components are designed for industrial environments, with the control panel resistant to water, dust, and oil.
- Multiple Voltage Configurations Standard versions are available for 120V single-phase, 240V single-phase, and 240V three-phase equipment.
- Simple Legacy Machine Upgrade Provides a practical solution for improving machine controls without replacing otherwise serviceable equipment.
Applications
The MAKESafe E-Stop & Anti-Restart System can be applied to many common industrial and machine shop machines, including:
- Bench grinders
- Band saws
- Disc sanders
- Belt sanders
- Surface grinders
- Lathes
- Mills
- Drill presses
- Other compatible industrial machinery and power tools
Machine compatibility should be confirmed based on the machine's electrical configuration, voltage, horsepower, operating characteristics, and existing controls.
Benefits
- Reduce the potential for unexpected machine restart after a power interruption
- Add an accessible emergency-stop function to compatible legacy equipment
- Modernize older machine controls without a complete electrical controls retrofit
- Create more consistent Start / Stop / E-Stop controls across machine shop equipment
- Provide a practical upgrade path for older but otherwise productive machinery
- Simplify machine safety improvement projects across facilities with multiple legacy machines
- Support broader machine safeguarding and risk-reduction initiatives
Available Configurations
Standard MAKESafe Power Tool Control configurations include:
- 120V Single Phase Up to 1.5 HP
- 240V Single Phase Up to 3 HP
- 240V Three Phase Up to 5 HP
Standard systems are rated at 15A.
Custom configurations are also available for applications requiring different plugs, cable terminations, additional emergency stops, foot switches, guard interlocks, or automation interfaces.
What's Included?
Each standard system includes:
- MAKESafe Power Tool Control
- Three-button Start / Stop / Emergency Stop control panel
- 5-foot control-panel tether
- Power connection cables appropriate for the selected configuration
- Product manual
- Adjustment tool
- Adjustment-hole plugs
Installation & Support
For many compatible machines, installation can be completed without extensive electrical modifications.
- Download a copy of the MAKESafe Power Tool Control Manual
A typical installation consists of:
- Connecting the machine to the MAKESafe Power Tool Control.
- Addressing the machine's existing switch so normal operation is controlled through the new system.
- Mounting the three-button operator control station in an accessible location.
- Configuring and testing the system for the specific machine.
PowerSafe Automation can help evaluate machine compatibility and determine whether the MAKESafe system is appropriate as a standalone control upgrade or should be incorporated into a broader machine safeguarding solution.
For multiple machines, PowerSafe can also help identify and standardize applications throughout a machine shop or facility.
Approvals & Machine Safety Considerations
The MAKESafe system is designed to provide machine control, anti-restart, and emergency-stop functionality for compatible industrial equipment.
Product approvals include:
- UL 508 / UL 508A industrial control applications
- CSA #14-13 Industrial Control Equipment
The system can help address machine-control and unexpected-restart concerns as part of an overall machine safety strategy.
Applicable machine safety requirements may include OSHA regulations and ANSI B11 standards depending on the machine and application.
Important: Adding an E-stop or anti-restart device does not, by itself, make a machine compliant or eliminate the need for appropriate point-of-operation guarding, hazard assessment, energy isolation, and other required risk-reduction measures.
Is MAKESafe Right for Your Machine?
The MAKESafe E-Stop & Anti-Restart System can be an effective solution when a machine is mechanically sound but its existing operator controls lack modern emergency-stop or anti-restart functionality.
This makes it particularly useful when upgrading multiple pieces of legacy equipment without performing a complete controls redesign on every machine.
Contact one of engineers today!
