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Technology
SawStop Technology
Our Patented Active Injury Mitigation (AIM) SAFETY TECHNOLOGY is what makes a SawStop a SawStop
1 Detect
The blade carries a small electrical signal.
When skin contacts the blade, the signal changes because the human body is conductive.
The change to the signal activates the safety system.
2 STOP
An aluminum brake springs into the path of the blade.
The blade comes to a complete stop and power to the motor is shut off.
3 DROP
After the blade comes to a stop, the blade’s angular momentum drives it beneath the table, removing the risk of subsequent contact.
All of this happens in less than 5 milliseconds.
4 Reset
Resetting the saw yourself is easy. Simply inspect the blade (and change if damaged) and replace the brake cartridge, and your saw is operational.
The entire process takes 90 seconds and you’re back to work.
How SawStop Technology Works
At the most basic level, our technology works by continually monitoring a small electrical signal in the saw blade. The human body is conductive so the signal in the saw blade changes when skin makes contact with it. It’s that change to the signal that activates the AIM safety system and engages the aluminum brake.
“When something goes wrong, you simply can’t move faster than a spinning blade.”
One little slip, one mistake can change your life forever
When you hear that a table saw injury can be drastically life-altering, you can’t really appreciate what that means until you live it. Dennis Melton lives it. The Portland, Oregon man suffered a workplace injury that forever changed his life. While working in a production shop, Dennis was ripping boards on a table saw, same Read more…
David Stivelman testimonial
“I just knew my life was changed. I lost most of the dexterity in my right hand and will never get it back.” ––David Stivelman Every first-time parent knows how challenging it can be to care for an infant. From changing diapers to buttoning or snapping onesies and other clothing to feeding them to bathing Read more…
“I’m not whole anymore. I had a part of me that…I don’t have anymore. And I can’t get it back”
SawStop
— Patrick Callahan Patrick Callahan was working at his stone and countertop production business in 1998, cutting Corian (a synthetic material used for countertops) on a contractor-style table saw—without the blade guard in place—for a custom job. Unfortunately, the Corian rode up on the blade, then snapped back down and shattered, pulling Patrick’s left hand—his Read more…
Table Saw Accident Victims
These woodworkers have honored us with their stories. Please take a moment to listen.
Two Accidents in One Month
Joe M. (woodworker)
Joe, now retired, worked for 30 years as a general contractor. Joe had two accidents in a one month period doing woodworking as a hobbyist. As result of the accident, he no longer has feeling in the tips of his fingers on his left hand, and his right hand appears deformed.
Amputation of Finger
Brandan S.(hobbyist)
“It flung my finger. I couldn’t turn the saw off because I was in shock.”
