Mechan develops safety switch for Proseal

British safety switch manufacturer Mechan has recently designed and produced 100 specially developed non-contact safety switches for the Cheshire based heat-sealing machinery specialist, ProSeal UK

British safety switch manufacturer, Mechan Controls plc, has recently designed and produced 100 specially developed non-contact safety switches for the Cheshire based heat-sealing machinery specialist, ProSeal UK.

ProSeal encountered Mechan at the North West Engineering Show in Bolton at the end of May.

ProSeal Electrical Manager, Andy Gray, was looking for a magnetic safety switch similar to the Mechan well proven Magnasafe MS6 - a tough, IP67 rated stainless steel safety switch from the Magnasafe range.

In addition, however, he specified that the switch should have three contacts rather than the standard two, that it would operate on three faces, and that it would need a bigger switching distance.

Andy discussed the project on the exhibition stand with Mechan Technical Director, Mabruk Farrah, who promised a prototype sample for the following Friday - a period of just eight days.

Mechan duly delivered the sample on time and, after further discussions, ProSeal requested the addition of a quick disconnect facility and an even greater switching distance.

The following week, Mechan supplied a second prototype which was immediately installed on one of the ProSeal heat-seal machines in order for it to be tested under the most exacting conditions.

The prototype worked well and, on the basis of its performance, Pro-Seal placed an order for 100 units.

Mechan Controls then began production of the switches, incorporating a few minor technical modifications requested by the client, and delivered them on time ready for installation in July 2005.

"ProSeal heat sealing systems are used in some of the most demanding environments in the food industry, and by the most demanding customers" said Andy Gray: "We design, manufacture and assemble all our own equipment, so reliability and product quality are absolutely essential.

That's why, when we decided that we needed a new safety switch system, only a customised solution would suffice.

The Mechan MS6 had a good record in the food and packaging industries, so we used this as the starting point, and then we worked very closely together to produce a solid and dependable product that I'm sure will serve us very well".

Like the conventional MS6, the new ProSeal switches are easy to install, tolerant to misalignment and feature a robust stainless steel housing.

They are suitable for use in wash-down applications and, in common with all Mechan products, they comply with the relevant EU standards, including the Machinery Directive and CE marking requirements.

Mechan Controls is an ISO 9000-2000 quality assured company and offers a comprehensive range of standard machine guard safety systems as well as bespoke products.

Further information can be obtained by visiting the company website or by phone.

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