Woodworking machines with overmolded arbors

Abstract

Power equipment with various safety systems is disclosed. Table saws with safety systems and/or blade retraction are disclosed. Over-molded arbors are disclosed for use in power equipment with safety systems and/or blade retraction, including arbors with fiber and/or prepreg over-molding.

1 . A woodworking machine comprising:
 a cutter;   a conductive arbor on which the cutter is mounted;   overmolding on at least a portion of the arbor;   a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a user and the cutter, where the detection system includes at least one electrode positioned adjacent the arbor and where the overmolding electrically insulates the electrode from the arbor; and   a reaction system adapted to perform a specified action to mitigate the dangerous condition upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system.   
   
   
       2 . The woodworking machine of  claim 1  where the overmolding is bulk molding compound. 
   
   
       3 . The woodworking machine of  claim 1  where the arbor includes at least one section with a diameter larger than another section of the arbor, and where the overmolding covers at least the section with the larger diameter. 
   
   
       4 . The woodworking machine of  claim 1  where the overmolding acts as a dielectric. 
   
   
       5 . The woodworking machine of  claim 1  where the electrode is made from powder metal. 
   
   
       6 . The woodworking machine of  claim 1  where the electrode includes at least one screw boss. 
   
   
       7 . An arbor for a woodworking machine, the arbor comprising:
 a generally elongate, metal shaft having two ends;   a first region adapted to support a blade adjacent one end of the shaft;   a flange adjacent the first region;   a nonconductive overmolding on at least a portion of the arbor other than the first region or the flange.   
   
   
       8 . The arbor of  claim 7  where the overmolding is bulk molding compound. 
   
   
       9 . The arbor of  claim 7  where a section of the overmolding forms at least one bearing seat for a bearing. 
   
   
       10 . The arbor of  claim 7  where the overmolding forms at least two bearing seats for two bearings. 
   
   
       11 . The arbor of  claim 10  where the two bearing seats are of different diameters. 
   
   
       12 . A woodworking machine comprising:
 a cutter;   a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a user and the cutter, where the detection system includes at least one electrode positioned adjacent the arbor;   a reaction system adapted to perform a specified action to mitigate the dangerous condition upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system; and   overmolded arbor means for supporting the cutter and for insulating the electrode from the arbor.