Assembly / What's Included

Each Surface Grinder Guard is custom built to your machine after ATS reviews your completed measurement form, machine make and model, and desired features (interlock, orange powder coat finish, photos if available). ATS designs the guard in CAD and provides a pre-construction drawing for your review and approval before fabrication. The finished guard includes the 40mm aluminum T-slot extrusion frame, sliding 1/4 inch polycarbonate (Lexan) doors with UHMW bearing pads, the spring loaded stainless steel deadbolt latch, adjustable end panels, and mounting angle brackets. The grinding machine itself, its motor, and its power control are not included. If an electrical safety interlock is selected, a compatible motor control device or safety relay is still needed to integrate the switch with the grinder's spindle control, and is sourced separately.

Configuration Options

• Standard finish: clear anodized aluminum
• Optional finish: orange powder coated
• Optional electrical safety interlock: tongue style (locking or non-locking), magnetic non-contact switch, or RFID non-contact switch
• Optional floor mounted configuration, anchored to the concrete floor, for machines where direct mounting isn't possible
• Door opening length designed to your specified access needs

Materials & Construction

• 40mm square industrial aluminum T-slot extrusion, clear anodized (standard) or orange powder coated (optional)
• 1/4 inch thick impact resistant polycarbonate (Lexan) doors, seated in rubber molding within the T-slot
• White UHMW bearing pads for door sliding action
• Stainless steel and aluminum spring loaded deadbolt latch
• Adjustable angle brackets for end panel and frame mounting

Applicable Safety Standards

Standards to be confirmed by PowerSafe.

Sliding Door Doesn't Move Smoothly

Door binds, sticks, or is hard to slide open or closed

• Inspect the white UHMW bearing pads in the outer T-slot for wear, debris, or misalignment
• Clean the T-slot track of grinding swarf, coolant residue, or abrasive dust, which can accumulate and impede sliding action
• Confirm the door hasn't shifted out of its designed opening travel
• Check that the frame hasn't been bent or racked out of square, which can bind the door path

Latch Doesn't Engage or Hold Securely

Spring loaded deadbolt won't lock, or door isn't held closed

• Inspect the deadbolt mechanism for debris or damage
• Confirm the strike position still aligns with the deadbolt after any door or frame adjustment
• Check the spring action of the latch; a weak or damaged spring may need replacement
• Verify the door is fully seated in its track before attempting to latch

Guard Doesn't Fit the Machine Correctly

Gaps, misalignment, or interference with the table or shroud

• Confirm the guard was built from accurate measurements submitted on the measurement form; a remeasure may be needed if the machine has since been modified
• Recheck the pre-construction drawing provided by ATS against the as built guard and the actual machine dimensions
• Adjust the end panels along the width of the main frame using the angle brackets before final mounting
• Contact ATS or PowerSafe if the guard doesn't match the approved pre-construction drawing

End Panel or Mounting Bracket Issues

Panels won't stay in position; guard is unstable

• Confirm angle brackets are securely mounted to the existing sheet metal shroud, table ends, or drilled and bolted along the front T-slot as intended
• Recheck that end panels are adjusted and locked along the width of the main frame
• For floor mounted configurations, verify the concrete anchors are properly torqued and haven't loosened over time

Safety Interlock Does Not Signal Correctly (If Selected)

Machine doesn't stop when doors open; control doesn't respond to switch state

• Confirm which interlock hardware was selected (tongue style locking or non-locking, magnetic non-contact, or RFID non-contact) and reference its specific wiring requirements
• Verify the interlock is wired to a compatible motor control device or safety relay; the switch alone typically can't directly interrupt the grinder's spindle motor
• Check wiring connections at the switch, motor control, and any terminal strips for looseness or damage
• For magnetic or RFID non-contact switches, confirm correct alignment and supply voltage per the switch type
• Test the interlock in isolation by manually cycling the door and verifying the output state changes at the motor control or relay input

Shield & Material Issues

Visible wear, cracking, or reduced visibility through the polycarbonate

• Inspect the polycarbonate (Lexan) doors for cracks, chips, or stress marks after any impact event; replace immediately if damage is found
• Clean the polycarbonate with a mild soap and water solution; avoid solvent based cleaners (acetone, MEK, lacquer thinner), which will craze and weaken the Lexan
• Confirm the rubber molding around the polycarbonate in the T-slot remains intact and properly seated

Preventive Maintenance

To keep the guard performing reliably:

• Clean the sliding door tracks and UHMW bearing pads regularly, especially in high swarf or coolant environments
• Inspect the deadbolt latch and spring action periodically
• Clean the polycarbonate doors on a regular schedule using approved cleaners only
• For interlocked units, cycle the doors at each maintenance interval and verify the motor control responds correctly to the switch state
• Recheck mounting bracket and floor anchor hardware for looseness over time

Fault Tracking & Continuous Improvement

• Log any hardware adjustment, shield replacement, or interlock fault, including the machine and date
• Look for recurring patterns, such as repeated track binding tied to a specific machine's swarf or coolant levels
• Use this history to plan hardware maintenance and shield replacement before damage affects protection