Part Remover Safety Ratchet
Context :
Dental thermoforming customers use the Carbon Part Remover to remove release films (with prints cured on them) from printing surfaces. A hand-crank actuates the Part Remover blade across the printing surface which cuts through the adhesive of the release film.
Problem to Solve :
Before the blade lands on the printing surface, the blade is not shielded and presents a sharps hazard. An in-field retrofit solution for reducing the risk of the sharps hazard was required.
Solution :
Designed a safety ratchet that incorporates two-hand operation to minimize customer risk while operating the Part Remover blade. Using a ratchet, spring-loaded pawl, and cable actuated lever, the safety ratchet locks the Part Remover hand crank from moving the blade forward until the lever is actuated with the user’s second hand. The safety ratchet easily retrofits onto the gearbox of the Beta Part Remover.
*Note that these images are of the prototype safety ratchet on the prototype Part Remover not the Beta version.
Results :
The Part Remover Safety Ratchet was retrofit onto Beta Part Removers in the field, and cut into the Beta Part Remover design for the outstanding 8 builds. It has provided an easy and safe way to manage customer interface with the Part Remover blade while the next version of the Part Remover that includes an integrated blade guard is designed.