Pure polycarbonate panes often become brittle after a very short period of operation due to permanent contact with cooling lubricants. Safety expert Hema therefore only manufactures laminated safety glass made of polycarbonate and safety glass. The safety glass on the inside of the machine protects the polycarbonate pane from wetting with cooling lubricants; the polycarbonate pane on the operator side has a much higher retention capacity and ensures the safety of the machine operator. Depending on customer requirements, the panes can be manufactured straight or curved.

Individually configured and manufactured

The polycarbonate panes in thicknesses from 5 to 15 mm are provided with a surface coating that protects the pane from scratches and abrasion. All safety screens are individually configured and manufactured for each machine tool in accordance with the applicable Machinery Directive.

Hema Maschinen- und Apparateschutz GmbH has been manufacturing protective systems for machine tools for 45 years and has extensive expertise in this area. "Based on this experience, we recommend regularly replacing aged and worn machine safety screens to avoid any risks to people and machines," emphasizes Marc Arendt, Head of Spare Parts Sales at Hema.

Replace: Regularly and after damage

In line with the recommendations of the employers' liability insurance association and the German Machine Tool Builders' Association (VDW), Hema recommends replacing machine safety windows made of glass and polycarbonate after a period of use of five or eight years at the latest. In the event of plastic deformation (denting) due to previous impact stress, cracks, damaged edge sealing, penetration of cooling lubricant in the composite structure or a damaged protective screen, immediate replacement is required.

Hema Scheibenservice provides comprehensive support for the safety windows of customer machines. It checks the machine safety windows used with regard to the recommendations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) and sets a replacement period. The maintenance management team keeps track of everything and reminds customers in good time to replace their safety glass regularly. Comprehensive advice is just as much a part of the service as the actual replacement of the screens and the retrofitting of existing machines with new screens that meet current safety requirements.

Safety for people and systems

Incidentally, pure polycarbonate panes can also be replaced by the safer laminated safety panes in such a retrofit. So that production machines always meet the latest safety requirements and material science findings and people and systems are protected.