Abstract
This research paper explores the design of an automatic safety brake mechanism on a manual circular table
saw machine which stops the blade from rotating when human flesh is detected in the blade proximity. Fatal
injuries are occurring, human thumbs and entire hand cutting during operation when operator accidentally
touches the spinning blade. It has become a matter of concern to develop the safety mechanism which can
be retrofitted on old-model table saw machines used to train students at a university wood workshop. The
researchers made use of capacitive proximity sensors to detect human flesh and then automatically activate
the brake pawl to the rotating blade, D.C. injection brake voltage which abruptly stop the running motor.
The design procedure confirmed the quick release of the safety mechanism within 0.25 seconds as revealed
from the simulation of circuits in Proteus software. With this design it is possible to stop the spinning blade
in 0.25 seconds, before the operator touches the spinning blade and also the mechanism is adoptable to all
circular saw machines (panel saw, bench saws), thus making a work-safe environment on the circular saws.