Overview
EN ISO 12643-5:2023 (ISO 12643-5:2023) specifies safety requirements for manually‑fed stand‑alone platen presses used in graphic technology. It covers design and construction requirements for single stroke, dwell (timer‑controlled) and continuous operation modes for processes such as cutting and creasing, embossing, foil stamping and printing of paper, board and similar materials. The standard is a type‑C machine safety standard and supplements ISO 12643‑1:2023 (general requirements). It does not apply to presses intended to handle metal material other than foil.
Key topics and requirements
The standard addresses machine safety topics specific to platen presses, including:
- Safeguarding of access - detailed provisions for side and front access (distinguishing small platen presses with table width ≤ 1 m from larger presses).
- Access detection technologies - requirements for laser scanners and vision‑based protective devices (VBPD) used to detect presence or access on the platen and calculation of safety distance.
- Operation modes - definitions and requirements for single stroke mode, dwell mode (timer‑controlled) and continuous operation mode.
- Stopping performance and controls - stopping distance, performance requirements, main drive braking, clutch/brake mechanisms, emergency stop and safety‑related stop functions.
- Mechanical hazard elements - considerations for flywheels, platen movement and other mechanical hazards specific to platen presses.
- Instruction handbook and verification - required contents for documentation and verification of safety measures.
- Normative references - integrates relevant machinery safety standards such as ISO 12100, ISO 13849‑1, ISO 13850 and others for control systems, positioning of safeguards and emergency stop design.
Applications and users
EN ISO 12643-5:2023 is intended for organizations involved in the manufacture, supply, operation and safety assessment of manually‑fed platen presses:
- Machine manufacturers designing or upgrading platen presses to meet EU/CEN and ISO safety expectations.
- Safety engineers and compliance officers performing risk assessments, guarding design and validation.
- Plant managers and employers in printing, packaging and finishing who operate or procure platen presses for cutting, embossing, foil stamping and similar processes.
- Maintenance and service providers who need to understand safe access, lockout and control requirements.
- Regulators and certification bodies assessing conformity with European (EN) and international (ISO) machine safety rules.
Related standards
This part is to be used together with:
EN ISO 12643‑5:2023 helps ensure platen press safety through prescriptive safeguarding, validated detection methods (laser scanners, VBPD), and clear documentation - improving workplace safety and regulatory compliance in graphic technology operations.
