When a machine tool fire occurs it often takes only seconds to become either one that will cause extensive damage and large disruption to the workplace and even injury or death, or one that can be controlled and will only be a minor incident.
Fire detection
For the immediate detection of a fire, even in its initial phase, special Ultra Violet or Infra Red flame detectors react in as little as 3 seconds and back-up thermal heat sensors (from 70 degrees onwards) are also installed directly in the endangered fire zone. Any kind of a fire outbreak is immediately detected due to the visible and thermal monitoring systems. The corresponding fire detector then releases a signal to the extinguishing systems control unit.
The corresponding fire detector releases a
signal to the extinguishing system control.
1
Microprocessor
controlled control unit with automatic fault recognition
6
CO2 release nozzles
2
Emergency
manual release button
7
IR
(Infrared) flame detector
3
Optical
alarm with intergrated warning siren
8
Electromagnetic
release valve
4
UV
(Ultraviolet) flame detector
9
CO2 Bottle (2kg - 50kg)
5
Heat
Detectors (70/90 degrees)
Extinguishing system control
The Kraft & Bauer microprocessor-controlled systems have been specifically designed for the protection of machine tools of all kinds and are proofed against water/oil ingress to an IP 55 standard and contain 3 or 4 signal lines (models FB703 or FB704). All functions are automatically monitored and both visual and acoustic warning displays are given for operation, power supply, alarm and back up battery. Additional components include an integrated emergency power supply, a manual emergency release and an extinguishing delay, as well as acoustic and visual alarms.
The control system automatically releases the extinguishing gas through a magnetic valve. The release can also be done manually by an operator pushing the emergency release button or by pulling the emergency release pin on the cylinder.
CO2 or Argon extinguisher bottle/cylinders
The extinguishers bottle/cylinder, with an electromagnetic valve release, is certified by the TUV and contains the necessary quantity of CO2 or Argon gas within the bottle (5kg-50kg in the case of CO2 and for Argon 10l to 50l). See the separate page on our website on Gas cylinders for more information.
The CO2 or Argon gas flows through the extinguishing nozzles or extinguishing bar and the machine to be protected is simultaneously switched off to help avoid further damage.
The above video has been kindly provided by specialist UK Machine Tool Manufacturers - Earlsdon Technology of Coventry, and was taken during testing of K & B systems on Earlsdon's machines.
Series of fires on a CNC Tool Grinding Machine during R & D tests of K & B systems
Flooding
The extinguisher's bottle/cylinder is connected to the extinguishing duct by a high-pressure hose. The CO2 or Argon gas escapes through the specially designed extinguishing nozzles, and optimal swirling ensures that the CO2 gas is omitted both quickly and efficiently. CO2 carbon dioxide and Argon gas is non-odorous and colourless and its deployment being a completely neutral gas, does not damage or contaminate property or a machine tools oil or coolant and does not cause any corrosion. It displaces the atmospheric oxygen that is required for the fire to react.
After the fire the system can be reset by quickly and easily replacing the empty bottle with a refilled bottle, causing no further lengthy delays to production. We can train and provide certificates to our customers nominated engineers to carry out this operation themselves.
Kraft & Bauer microprocessor-controlled fire protection systems ensure around-the-clock unmanned operation with total peace of mind.
