Table saws are notorious for sending over 30,000 people to the hospital annually in the United States, making them the most dangerous power tool. SawStop, a groundbreaking safety brake, operates by sending an electrical current through the saw blade to instantly stop it in less than 5 milliseconds upon contact with skin. The technology involves clever engineering with components like the actuator assembly, fuse wire, and aluminum pawl. SawStop’s effectiveness has prompted the U.S. CPSC to consider mandating its inclusion in all new saws despite opposition claiming it will raise prices. SawStop plans to share its patent publicly to ensure safety innovation continues to progress.
https://www.lumafield.com/article/new-vs-used-sawstop