Abstract: The disclosure relates to a machine tool having a driveable tool and having a detection system for detecting contact between the tool and a user. The detection system has an excitation device for applying an excitation voltage signal to the tool, a current sensor for generating a current sensor signal that represents an electric current consumed by the tool, and a processing device for processing the current sensor signal in order to detect contact between the tool and the user. The processing device has an analog-to-digital converter and further devices arranged downstream of the analog-to-digital converter, comprising an IQ demodulator, a filter device and an evaluation device. The current sensor signal is able to be digitized using the analog-to-digital converter and processed in digital form using the further devices. The disclosure furthermore relates to a detection system for a machine tool.

Abstract: An object detection system in a saw includes an electrically conductive plate positioned at a predetermined distance from the implement, a detection circuit comprising a transformer, and a single cable connecting first terminal and second terminals of the transformer. The single cable includes a first conductor electrically connected to the first terminal of the winding and to the electrically conductive plate, a second conductor electrically connected to the implement, and an electrical insulator positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: A method for detection of a fault in a sensing cable within a saw detects potential failures in a sensing cable that is part of an object detection system in the saw. The method includes generating a predetermined excitation signal transmitted through a first conductor and a second conductor in the sensing cable, detecting a return signal from the first conductor and the second conductor in the sensing cable in response to the predetermined excitation signal, identifying a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the return signal, and generating an output indicating a fault in the sensing cable in response to the SNR of the return signal being below a predetermined value.

Abstract: An object detection system in a saw includes an electrically conductive plate positioned at a predetermined distance from the implement, a detection circuit comprising a transformer, and a single cable connecting first terminal and second terminals of the transformer. The single cable includes a first conductor electrically connected to the first terminal of the winding and to the electrically conductive plate, a second conductor electrically connected to the implement, and an electrical insulator positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: An object detection system in a saw includes an electrically conductive plate positioned at a predetermined distance from the implement, a detection circuit comprising a transformer, and a single cable connecting first terminal and second terminals of the transformer. The single cable includes a first conductor electrically connected to the first terminal of the winding and to the electrically conductive plate, a second conductor electrically connected to the implement, and an electrical insulator positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: A method for detection of proximity between an object and an implement in a table saw includes operating a motor in the table saw to move the implement, generating, with a capacitive sensor formed in a throat plate around the implement in the table saw, a capacitance signal during operation of the motor, identifying, with a controller operatively connected to the capacitive sensor, an object in proximity to the capacitive sensor in response to a change in a level of capacitance in the capacitance signal, and deactivating, with the controller, the motor in the table saw in response to the change in the capacitance signal indicating a capacitance level that exceeds a predetermined threshold corresponding to a body part of an operator.

Abstract: A user interface device for a saw is mounted to an exterior of a housing in the saw. The user interface device includes a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), an antenna formed on the PCB, an optically opaque member with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening aligned with the LED, an optically translucent member engaging the second opening of the optically opaque member, and a base member connected to the PCB, optically opaque member, and optically translucent member, the base member being configured to be mounted to an exterior of a housing of the saw.

Abstract: A user interface device for a saw is mounted to an exterior of a housing in the saw. The user interface device includes a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), an antenna formed on the PCB, an optically opaque member with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening aligned with the LED, an optically translucent member engaging the second opening of the optically opaque member, and a base member connected to the PCB, optically opaque member, and optically translucent member, the base member being configured to be mounted to an exterior of a housing of the saw.

Abstract: A method for detection of a fault in a sensing cable within a saw detects potential failures in a sensing cable that is part of an object detection system in the saw. The method includes generating a predetermined excitation signal transmitted through a first conductor and a second conductor in the sensing cable, detecting a return signal from the first conductor and the second conductor in the sensing cable in response to the predetermined excitation signal, identifying a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the return signal, and generating an output indicating a fault in the sensing cable in response to the SNR of the return signal being below a predetermined value.

Abstract: An object detection system in a saw includes an electrically conductive plate positioned at a predetermined distance from the implement, a detection circuit comprising a transformer, and a single cable connecting first terminal and second terminals of the transformer. The single cable includes a first conductor electrically connected to the first terminal of the winding and to the electrically conductive plate, a second conductor electrically connected to the implement, and an electrical insulator positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: A method for detection of proximity between an object and an implement in a table saw includes operating a motor in the table saw to move the implement, generating, with a capacitive sensor formed in a throat plate around the implement in the table saw, a capacitance signal during operation of the motor, identifying, with a controller operatively connected to the capacitive sensor, an object in proximity to the capacitive sensor in response to a change in a level of capacitance in the capacitance signal, and deactivating, with the controller, the motor in the table saw in response to the change in the capacitance signal indicating a capacitance level that exceeds a predetermined threshold corresponding to a body part of an operator.

Abstract: A power tool data collection system includes a memory in a housing of a power tool that stores data corresponding to at least one operational parameter of the power tool, a wireless data transceiver communicatively connected to the memory, and a controller operatively connect to the memory. The wireless data transceiver transmits the data corresponding to the at least one operational parameter of the power tool to an external wireless transceiver in response to receiving a signal from the external wireless transceiver. The controller identifies the at least one operational parameter of the power tool during operation of the power tool and stores the data corresponding to the at least one operational parameter in the memory to enable the wireless data transceiver to transmit the data.

Abstract: A power tool data collection system includes a memory in a housing of a power tool that stores data corresponding to at least one operational parameter of the power tool, a wireless data transceiver communicatively connected to the memory, and a controller operatively connect to the memory. The wireless data transceiver transmits the data corresponding to the at least one operational parameter of the power tool to an external wireless transceiver in response to receiving a signal from the external wireless transceiver. The controller identifies the at least one operational parameter of the power tool during operation of the power tool and stores the data corresponding to the at least one operational parameter in the memory to enable the wireless data transceiver to transmit the data.