This European Standard specifies the safety requirements applicable to the design and construction of film converting machines for making bags and sacks, for the significant and specific hazards listed in Clause 4. This type of machine is based on the welding process. A film converting machine for bags and sacks starts at the film unwinding unit or at the film inlet when this machine is directly fed by an upstream process and ends at the product collection or delivery unit. The bag making line may include:
1) unwind units
2) slit-welding units
3) gussetting units
4) lane deviation units
5) perforating and welding or cutting and welding units
6) blocking units
7) pick-up and transfer units
8) stacking units
9) punching units
10) folding units
11) winding units
12) labelling or taping units
13) handle and closure units
14) draw tape insertion units
15) generators of electrostatic charge
16) electrostatic discharge equipment. Printing units, high frequency welding machines and the design and construction of electrostatic generators are not covered by this standard. Ultrasonic radiation hazards resulting from ultrasonic welding devices, e.g. integrated in handle and closure units, are not covered by this standard. Film converting machines for bags and sacks generally do not create explosive atmospheres. In principle they therefore correspond with line F of Table 2 of the ATEX Guideline and consequently do not fall within the scope of Directive 94/9/EC. This document is not applicable to machines which are manufactured before the date of its publication as EN.