The Whirlwind Braking System

[dusty]

I saw this for the first time today on another forum and thought there might be some interest here. I don't know much about this but it sure looks interesting to me.

The following was lifted from another forum post:

Hello woodworkers! I have patents pending on a unique table saw upgrade that forms a major advance in both the health and safety aspects of this most important machine.
My goal is to work with major manufacturer(s) to bring this system to market ASAP to help reduce the appalling accident statistics regarding table saws. The more people who see this website the better, so please help by simply telling other woodworkers about us. Incidentally, I am NOT in favor of CPSC or the government mandating ANYTHING more for us regarding table saws. I envision a saw option product which can be purchased at the user’s discretion and will work toward that goal.
Please visit our website and view a few videos at http://www.whirlwindtool.com and help us spread the word about this remarkable Whirlwind system which, among other things, can stop the saw blade within 1 second after dangerous hand proximity is sensed.
I do welcome your feedback at the website, but as volume grows, I cannot guarantee that I can answer everyone. We also have a short video clip up on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHajjMUrSOg so please check us out and wish us luck.
My best regards to all here and please work safely! —David

[cv3]

I like it. I am a safty nut. thanks for posting that. I am going to look in to it some more.

[joedw00]

I like the fact that it does not damage the saw, and you would not have to replace parts. Thanks for the post.

[ryanbp01]

How would it work with a Shopsmith?

BPR

[dusty]

How would it work with a Shopsmith?

BPR

I have an inquiry in to them to determine just how it works and could it be adapted to the Shopsmith. I'll post if I learn anything.

[fjimp]

I have an inquiry in to them to determine just how it works and could it be adapted to the Shopsmith. I'll post if I learn anything.

That gentleman clearly has designed what will be the basis for the next generation of safety in woodworking. Like Dusty and other I would love to see Shopsmith adapt such innovations.

Thank you Dusty for sharing and for looking further into this. Jim

[Ed in Tampa]

I have an inquiry in to them to determine just how it works and could it be adapted to the Shopsmith. I'll post if I learn anything.

dusty
I doubt you will get much info. The impression I got from the video and website was that the inventor was looking for a company to buy into the idea. The video says the demo's are being done using prototype units that were used to apply for the patent. I doubt they have any type of manufacturing ability and probably have found the start up cost to be prohibitive.

It is a shame I think it is an interesting idea.

[dusty]

dusty
I doubt you will get much info. The impression I got from the video and website was that the inventor was looking for a company to buy into the idea. The video says the demo's are being done using prototype units that were used to apply for the patent. I doubt they have any type of manufacturing ability and probably have found the start up cost to be prohibitive.

It is a shame I think it is an interesting idea.

Yes, I gathered that same impression from the video's but there is no harm in asking and showing interest.

What he has done seems to be nothing more than a nice dust collection hood (above and below table) and incorporate a proximity sensor to facilitate shut down. No insight into the braking system.

Our table and quill configurations would make application a nightmare.

[foxtrapper]

I've seen guards like that before. Not identical, but quite similar. And pretty durn old. Similar vacuum ducting, similar access panels, etc.

Easy enough to rewire the power switch on just about any motor to cause it to self-stop in about a second. Just have the switch in the stop position join the motors fields and armature fields to themselves, so the magnetic induction builds drag. Some drills and grinders are wired this way.

[e.friedl]

I used to work in a place where we used a 7-1/2 HP Dewalt radial saw to cut aluminum extrusions. It originally had a brake system that was engaged by a solenoid to stop the blade. The aluminum saw dust shorted it out in no time flat. For a long time we didn't have a brake and it took a LONG time to coast to a stop. I saw an electronic blade brake, it placed a DC voltage across the motor. By adjusting the voltage, one could stop the blade in a very short time. Too short caused a problem. The inertia of the blade nut wanted to loosten the nut. We needed to keep the shut down time to a few seconds and to add a jam nut. That baby had a blade over twenty inches and none of us wanted to see what would happen if it got loose. Sudden stops of the blade make me nervious.