Modular Guarding
ARK Automation supplies total access hinge gates for modular machine guarding systems, robotic cells, industrial machinery, production areas, and other applications that require a wide access opening through perimeter guarding.
Total access hinge gates use opposing hinged gate sections with support wheels and a drop-pin closure. Unlike guarding configurations that use an overhead frame between the gate posts, ARK’s total access hinge gate design leaves the area above the opening unobstructed, making it particularly useful when forklifts, machinery, tooling, or other large equipment need to move through the guarded area.
For exact dimension values, please refer to the table below.
Standard personnel gates work well for routine entry and maintenance access, but some industrial applications require a much larger opening. Machinery may need to be installed or removed, tooling may need to be changed, or forklifts and material handling equipment may need occasional access to the enclosed area.
A total access hinge gate creates a larger movable section within the guarding perimeter while allowing the enclosure to function as a physical barrier when the gates are closed.
Common applications can include:
Visit our machine guarding applications page for more examples of modular guarding used around industrial machinery and automated equipment.
One of the main advantages of ARK Automation’s total access hinge gate design is the absence of an overhead frame connecting the two hinge posts. This leaves the top of the access opening clear.
An overhead-free opening can be useful when forklifts, tall machinery, lifting equipment, tooling, or other large objects need to pass through the guarding system without interference from a cross member above the gate.
The required opening should still be planned around the equipment being moved, available floor space, gate swing area, surrounding machinery, and any facility clearance requirements.
ARK total access hinge gates use a drop-pin closure to secure the gate sections when closed. Each gate section is also supported by a wheel to help the larger panels move smoothly during opening and closing.
This design is particularly useful for wider access points where the size and weight of the gate sections make additional support beneficial.
The gate swing path and floor conditions should be considered when planning the installation so the support wheels can move freely and the gate sections do not interfere with nearby machinery, posts, aisles, or other equipment.
ARK Automation offers total access hinge gates in a range of widths and heights for different machine guarding layouts and access requirements.
Available panel configurations include options such as:
The product table below provides the current part numbers, widths, heights, panel styles, and weld screen options for available total access hinge gate configurations. Refer to the table and product documentation for exact dimensional information before selecting a gate.
A standard hinge gate is typically used for routine personnel or maintenance access through a machine guarding system. ARK’s standard hinge gates are available in widths up to 3000 mm.
Total access hinge gates are intended for applications where a wider opening is needed, particularly when machinery, forklifts, tooling, fixtures, or other large equipment need to pass through the guarding perimeter.
The total access design also eliminates the overhead frame between the hinge posts, creating additional vertical clearance through the opening.
ARK Automation also offers total access slide gate configurations for applications where a hinged opening is not the best fit.
A total access hinge gate requires clear floor space for the gate sections to swing open. A total access slide gate moves along the guarding line instead, which can be useful where swing clearance is limited but sufficient horizontal space is available.
The appropriate gate style depends on the required access width, available floor space, surrounding equipment, frequency of access, and how machinery or materials will move through the opening.
Because total access gates create a large opening in the guarding perimeter, their location and operation should be considered carefully during the overall machine guarding design.
Before selecting a total access hinge gate, consider:
Drawings, CAD files, photographs, guarding layouts, and information about the equipment that needs to pass through the opening can help ARK Automation review the application.
A total access hinge gate is one component of the overall machine safeguarding system. Because opening the gate can provide substantial access to the guarded area, the hazards behind the gate and the required machine response should be considered as part of the risk assessment.
In Ontario, Ontario Regulation 851 for Industrial Establishments includes requirements for guarding machinery and preventing worker access to hazardous moving parts.
Depending on the application, a total access gate may also need to work with an interlocking device or safety control system using components such as a safety relay or programmable safety controller.
The appropriate safeguarding method depends on the machinery, hazards, frequency of access, stopping characteristics, and applicable safety requirements. For additional planning information, see ARK Automation’s guide to machine guarding standards and ANSI considerations.
Total access hinge gates can be combined with ARK Automation panels, posts, brackets, standard gates, and other components to create a complete guarding system around industrial equipment.
A facility may use smaller gates for routine personnel access while reserving a total access gate for equipment installation, maintenance, forklift access, or major tooling changes. This allows the guarding layout to provide different types of access where they are actually required.
To download the Catalogue Page, click on the link below:
Learn more about total access hinge gates, wide machine guarding openings, forklift access, drop-pin closures, overhead clearance, and what to consider when planning a large access point.
A total access hinge gate is a wide machine guarding access gate that uses opposing hinged gate sections to create a larger opening through the guarding perimeter. ARK Automation’s design uses support wheels and a drop-pin closure and does not have an overhead frame connecting the hinge posts.
Total access hinge gates are useful where a machine guarding system needs to open wide enough for machinery, forklifts, tooling, fixtures, pallets, or other large equipment. They can also provide large maintenance or installation openings within robotic and automation cells.
Yes. ARK’s total access hinge gate design does not use an overhead frame between the hinge posts, which helps provide the vertical clearance needed for forklift and material handling access. The specific opening dimensions should still be checked against the forklift, load, and surrounding equipment before the gate is selected.
No. ARK Automation’s total access hinge gates are designed without an overhead frame connecting the two hinge posts. This leaves the area above the opening unobstructed and can make the gate suitable for tall equipment, forklifts, and machinery access.
The drop-pin closure helps secure the opposing gate sections when the total access gate is closed. It provides a straightforward mechanical closure for the wide opening while allowing the gate sections to be released when access is required.
The gate sections are relatively wide, so ARK uses wheels to support the panels and help them move smoothly during opening and closing. The floor surface and gate swing path should therefore be considered when planning the installation.
A standard hinge gate is generally intended for routine personnel or maintenance access. A total access hinge gate creates a much wider opening and is better suited to machinery, forklift, tooling, or other large-equipment access.
A total access hinge gate uses gate sections that swing open and therefore requires floor space around the opening. A total access slide gate moves horizontally along the guarding line and may be more suitable where swing clearance is restricted. The correct option depends on the available space and required access opening.
ARK’s current product information includes 1×1 welded wire mesh, 2×2 welded wire mesh, Lexan, solid steel, and weld screen options. Refer to the product table on this page for the available part numbers and configurations.
A total access gate can form part of an interlocked machine safeguarding system when required by the application’s risk assessment. The appropriate interlock, monitoring method, safety circuit, and machine response depend on the machinery, hazards, access frequency, and applicable safety requirements.
Helpful information includes the required opening width, equipment height, surrounding guarding dimensions, available gate swing clearance, whether forklift access is required, preferred panel style, nearby machinery, and any known interlocking or machine safety requirements. Drawings, CAD files, photos, and guarding layouts can also help ARK Automation review the application.
Need a wide access opening for machinery, forklifts, tooling, or other equipment within your machine guarding system? Contact ARK Automation to discuss your required opening, overhead clearance, gate swing area, panel options, and related machine safety requirements. You can also upload related files, drawings, layouts, or product lists using the form below.
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