This safety mechanism is a game changer in table saw safety. Sure this saw is a commercial tool, but maybe it will make it to the retail market eventually. #tools #newtools #tablesaw #sawstop #toolsafety
The problem with this is that many things can go wrong with the software, the moving parts, the cameras (imagine this in poor lighting). Sawstop relies on a physical effect that's infinitely repeatable and always happens the same way, even with things that are not your hand (conductive materials). I agree with the poster below, who said this could be combined with Sawstop technology, thus eliminating the need to replace the blade everytime it goes off, but still having that last resort backup "blade-destroying-and-finger-saving" feature. (Hoping it never goes off, of course).
They should totally collaborate! If this is cheaper I could see why places might choose this over saw stop but it would make so much more sense to prevent "dangerous acts" than wait until critical failure/maiming imminent.
This will be a way better solution than the sawstop tech that is now owned by Festool. I would imagine they will push back hard, though, as sawstop has never been known to sit by and wait. The fact that it is much faster, has an earlier reaction, isn't damaging to the blade, or requires replacement parts after activation is an absolute game changer. When you can reset the saw in seconds, and continue your work, is phenomenal! I pray they find a way to further develop this or a similar system for use with existing saws and can make it affordable for everyone.
You could probably engineer it so that sawstop is used as a back up. Though I'm hesitant to trust computer vision as much as what sawstop has (which does not excuse poor safety procedure, since both systems are not substitutes for poor safety procedures).
I agree that there are definitely a lot of benefits to a system like this, but the major drawback is the complexity of the setup. Sawstop may have an imperfect solution using one time use cartridges and destroying a blade, but by doing so it allows the solution to be put into things like jobsite saws, where setting up a camera and computer are impractical.
