Castell Safety International Ltd has launched Salus, a new trapped key access interlock suitable for any type of industrial door.

Salus is a genuine innovation in trapped key safety interlocking technology thanks to its unique and patent protected high-integrity locking mechanism. Aside from a high level of safety, the key benefits of Salus include reduced downtime due to less maintenance being required on the lock; faster commissioning time as a result of Castell’s new end coding manufacturing system; increased speed of access through its single-handed operation; and improved machine efficiency via the easy-close alignment feature. The new interlock is also compatible with existing Castell figure locks.

Going back to the drawing board to create Salus has allowed for enhanced features to be built into the lock. These include an integrated lock cover, an ergonomic housing to reduce dirt traps and, through the lock mechanism, the ability to close gates or doors despite them being misaligned. The lock housing and mechanism are constructed from stainless steel, which means that the lock is suitable for use in food or pharmaceutical production areas that require a full wash down, or in corrosive environments.

Salus can be used with both sliding and hinged doors. The interlock also benefits from the recently implemented end coding technique which expands the lock’s flexibility while keeping it fully compatible with existing systems. Further flexibility derives from Salus being DIN rail-mountable. Although physically smaller than previous Castell access interlocks, Salus can be mounted to any existing fixing holes with the aid of an additional mounting bracket.

Tim Whelan, Castell’s managing director, commented: “The Castell design and development team have spent a great deal of time understanding our customers’ requirements. This has resulted in a product that delivers real benefits to the world of safety.”

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New manufacturing approach has dramatically reduced lead times

Industrial safety specialist Castell has adopted an innovative manufacturing process to improve efficiency and benefit end-users, machine builders and distributors alike. The company is the first in the interlocking sector to implement end coding, which allows standard products to be coded at the final, rather than initial, stage of production.

End coding enables the company’s interlocks to be fitted uncoded to machinery and remain there until they are commissioned. The coding scheme can be changed right up until commissioning is accepted, when an authorised coding engineer codes the system. As a result, standard products can now be held as stock with distributors and machine builders, speeding up the supply chain.

The system relies on a coded tablet that is inserted into the lock. Once inserted, the tablet cannot be removed or recoded, which guarantees the integrity and safety of the system. Tablets can be provided within 24 hours of being defined and requested.

Since trapped key interlocks were first designed, the production of any system could not start until each code within the system had been defined. This created a number of potential issues. There was no flexibility during the commissioning phase for alterations once the locks had been fitted. Similarly, since each unit had been individually coded at the start of the manufacturing process, replacement stock required a full set of duplicates to be kept as spares. Machine builders could not stock items and orders could only be placed once end-users had confirmed codes. The product was not readily available as a stock item either at distribution outlets or from the manufacturer. Essentially, each component was a special and as such came with an extended lead time, no matter how frequently that product was used.

Keith Allingham, Castell’s operations director, has welcomed the company’s switch to end coding: “This major innovation will benefit all of our customers and give them the flexibility to ensure their system operates correctly pre-commissioning. This will both speed up commissioning times and deliver maximum system integrity – major advantages for all projects.”

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