Fortress Locks And Machinery Safety

Fortress has specialised in machinery safety and interlocking systems since 1977, providing critical solutions that help protect people working on or around industrial machinery worldwide. Its industry-leading products are designed to prevent access to hazardous machine areas and ensure that essential safety procedures are followed. These solutions are widely used across diverse sectors, including automotive, food and beverage, power infrastructure, metal manufacturing, and many other industries.

Fortress Locks And Machinery Safety Solutions

amGardpro

Configurable interlocks and control pods designed for heavy-duty applications across a wide range of industries. Push-button controls and trapped key systems can be integrated into a single, compact unit.

Benefits of amGardpro

Highly Configurable – With a wide range of configurations available, amGardpro can be tailored to meet the specific safety requirements of virtually any application.
Reduced Maintenance and Downtime – Constructed from durable metal alloy and stainless steel, amGardpro is built to withstand demanding industrial environments, helping to minimise wear, reduce replacement costs, and maximise uptime.
Integrated Control Solution – Push buttons, indicator lamps, emergency stops, and key systems can all be incorporated into a single unit, providing a compact, cost-effective, and user-friendly safety solution.
Industrial Network Connectivity – The proNet communication module enables seamless integration with major industrial network protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, and EtherCAT.
Simplified Installation – A variety of quick-disconnect options streamline installation and maintenance, while optional mounting plates further reduce setup time and complexity.
Enhanced Safety Performance – Engineered for high reliability and independently certified, amGardpro is suitable for applications requiring up to PLe/Cat. 4 or SIL 3 safety ratings.

Features

Mounting Plates and Adaptors – Devices can be supplied pre-fitted with mounting plates to reduce installation time and associated costs. Multiple connector configurations are available, along with compatible mating cables in a range of lengths. Trapped Key Adaptors – Trapped key systems can be integrated to manage access control or provide proactive machine isolation. RFID-coded personnel keys are also available for enhanced security and traceability.

Option Pods – Available as standalone units or integrated with amGardpro interlocks, option pods enable the addition of push buttons, selector switches, indicator lamps, and emergency stop controls.

Escape Release Mechanisms – Escape release options allow personnel to safely exit a safeguarded area in the event of entrapment. Variants include single-action, push-reset, and key-reset designs.

Monitored and Controlled Access – Interlock monitoring detects guard opening, while optional solenoid locking functionality provides guard locking or process protection where controlled access is required.

Heads and Actuators – A comprehensive range of actuators supports both hinged and sliding guards. Industry-leading tolerance for misalignment helps accommodate guard movement and installation variability, ensuring reliable operation in demanding environments. Fortress Locks And Machinery Safety

tGard

tGard is a versatile range of interlocks and control stations designed to meet a wide variety of machine safety requirements. Each unit can accommodate up to ten elements, including trapped key systems and operator controls, allowing for highly configurable safety solutions. Housed in a durable 40mm metal enclosure, tGard is well suited to demanding manufacturing and industrial automation environments.

Benefits of tGard

Tailored to Your Requirements – With eight body styles and the ability to accommodate up to eight elements per unit, tGard can be configured to meet a wide range of application and safety requirements.
Efficient Integrated Solution – Multiple operator controls can be combined within a single device, reducing component count and simplifying installation. Available as both an interlock and a control station solution.
Designed for High Reliability – Independently certified for applications up to PLd/Cat. 3, or up to PLe/Cat. 4 when used with the High-Level Coded element, ensuring dependable safety performance.
Simple Installation – Featuring a compact 40 mm housing, just two mounting points, and quick-disconnect connector options, tGard enables fast and straightforward installation.
Robust and Durable Construction – Its compact metal enclosure is designed to withstand demanding manufacturing and industrial automation environments, providing long-term reliability and durability.
Safety Data Communication – tGard can communicate directly with an IO-Link Safety master, delivering valuable diagnostic and status information. AS-i Safety solutions are also available for enhanced connectivity and system integration.

tGard Features

Integrated Machine Controls – Configure interlocks and control stations with a range of custom-engraved push buttons, indicator lamps, selector switches, and emergency stop devices to create a tailored operator interface.

Keys and Escape Release – Incorporate access keys, personnel keys, and escape release functions to help enforce safe operating procedures and protect personnel from unexpected machine start-up.

Monitored and Controlled Access – tGard interlocks provide reliable guard position monitoring, with optional solenoid-controlled locking for applications requiring guard locking during machine run-down. This helps prevent access to hazardous areas until it is safe to do so, enhancing both personnel safety and process protection.

Heads and Actuators – A range of actuators are available for both hinged and sliding guards. The actuator head can be easily rotated on-site, allowing the device to be configured to suit the required installation orientation.

Safety and Control Connectors – Pre-wired units are available with a range of quick-disconnect solutions, and can also be supplied with AS-Interface and IO-Link Safety for enhanced system integration.

40mm Aluminium Body – Suitable for a wide range of manufacturing and industrial automation applications, with eight body types available to support flexible configuration.

mGard

A range of mechanical trapped key interlocks designed to enforce safety processes without the need for electrical wiring. Cost-effective, simple to install and maintain, they are ideal for locations where cable routing is difficult. mGard can also enforce specific operational sequences, particularly in systems with multiple energy sources.

Benfits of mGard

Control Hazardous Energy – Mechanical interlocking can be used to control hazardous energy sources such as electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
Enforce Sequences – Trapped key systems can be used to enforce a predetermined sequence of operations in accordance with the application requirements.
A Cost Effective Solution – Fully mechanical units are easy to maintain and do not require wiring, with reduced installation cost and time.
Minimise Machine Downtime – Designed for long-term durability, reducing the need for repairs and ongoing maintenance. Stainless steel options are also available for use in harsh or demanding environments.
Enhance Safety and Compliance – Used to meet the requirement of ISO 14119 and ISO 14118. Suitable for use up to PLe/Cat. 4.
Cover Vast Areas – Enforces processes across multiple levels and long distances. Fully mechanical units are ideal for applications where cable routing is difficult or impractical.

mGard Features

Resistance to harsh Environments –A robust product constructed from metal alloy, with stainless steel options available for the most harsh or demanding environments.

Control Interlocking – Key operated switches for electrical isolation. Time delay and voltage sensing devices to delay access until desired system conditions are met and also available.
Power Interlocking –Mechanically secure energy sources such as circuit breakers, valves, and earth switches etc using bolt module units. Valve interlocks are also available for pneumatic and hydraulic isolation.

Intermediate Transfer – Key exchange devices are used to enforce a permitted sequence of events by trapping or releasing one or multiple keys. Custom solutions can also be designed to meet specific application requirements.

Access Control – Multiple options are available for access locks and actuators, with no wiring required at the access point. Actuators remain locked until the correct key is inserted and rotated.

Keys and Accessories – With over 200,000 ‘cut’ combinations, keys can be engraved and customised with different colours. Standard or pad-lockable dustcovers and hasps are also available.

Osbourn

Osbourn is a range of mechanical devices designed to block existing interlocks or light curtains when personnel enter a safeguarded area, providing an additional layer of protection and helping to prevent unexpected machine start-up.

Benefits of Osbourn

Prevent Unexpected Start-up – Personnel keys and pad-lockable points help protect operators during whole-body access in situations where a proactive inhibit function is not currently present.
Easy to Integrate (Retrofittable) – Enables simple integration with existing interlocked guards and light curtains without the need to replace, rewire, or reprogram current systems.
Wide Compatibility – Suitable for a wide range of interlocks on sliding or hinged guards, as well as light curtains from multiple manufacturers.
Simple Installation – Integrated mounting plates make installation simple and efficient, with just two fixings needed.
A Cost Saving Solution – Fully mechanical devices that require no power, wiring, or programming, offering significant cost savings compared to machine upgrades.
Suitable for Harsh Environments – With a robust stainless steel construction, Osbourn devices are designed for long term durability, even in harsh environments.

Osbourn Features

Personnel Keys for operator safety – With the key removed, the interlock safety contacts remain open and can not be closed (IBL) and the light curtain beam cannot be restored (PBL), preventing unexpected machine start-up.

Pad-lockable Points – Additional personnel entering the area can prevent unexpected start-up by applying padlocks to either the dust cover (for PBL) or or the interlock blocking plate (for IBL).

Handing Types – Different orientation available to suit custom applications. Suitable for guards opening/sliding to the left or right or for either end of a light curtain.

Blocking Plate Options – Depending on the light curtain type, the PBL blocking plate is available in three sizes to ensure appropriate beam interruption.

Mounting Plate Options – The mounting plate for the PBL come in three variations to support the installation of different brands of light curtains.

Stainless Steel Construction- Suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, including environments with dirt, dust, and where harsh wash-down procedures are required.

Remlive

Presence of voltage indicators that provide a clear reminder when a circuit is live, reducing the risk of electrical incidents, protect valuable assets, accelerate fault-finding activities, and ultimately enhance personnel safety.

Benefits of Remlive

Enhance Isolation Procedures – Quick and easy method of verifying electrical isolation to enhance LOTO procedures, reducing the risk of electrical hazards.
Reduce Risk on the Door – With an electrical separation between the DIN rail unit and the door mounted display, hazardous voltages remain within the cabinet.
Live Indication Status – Display status on the front of the control panel, low voltage to the door ensures maximum safety.
Universal Compliance- Extensive global certifications, including up to OVC IV.
Phase Indication – Simple way to check three phase rotation with operational phase indicator display. Reduces the requirement for live testing and prevent equipment damage.
Simple Installation and Maintenance – Easy to install in new or existing control panels with a small footprint and minimal maintenance required.

Features Of Remlive

Broad Range of Voltages – Manage Voltages from 24V up to 690VAC OVC IV and individual phase lines, even after phase isolation.

IP66 Rating – Door unit designed to meet with IP66 requirements to ensure switchboards maintain their overall ingress protection rating.

LED Display – Bright, flashing LED’s to attract attention and display isolation status on the front of the control panel.

RL-24i Isolator Check – A voltage indicator that provides a clear visual reminder when a circuit is live, supporting safer electrical isolation procedures. The door-mounted unit is designed to fit through the front of a control panel, providing operators with an immediate indication of live or isolated status for enhanced safety and operational awareness.

RL-24i Phase Indicator – Reduce the requirement for live testing and prevent equipment damage with the phase rotation indicator display option. Two variant available, where the display will indicate either clockwise correct or anticlockwise correct.