[Transition]

I have to make a safety enclosure for operating a laser. The door itself is going to be hand-operated and needs to slide up. See this example:

http://i.imgur.com/v8VMy.jpg

I'm going to be making the enclosure from t-slot extruded aluminum as it should allow me to build fairly quickly without forming sheet metal. Any ideas on how i can make this door assembly slide up and then stay up until it's pulled down? Sounds trivial I just don't know where to start

[Al_The_Man]

If it is purely manual operation for up and down, then depending on the weight, you may need a simple counter balance, and to retain it in the up position, could be a simple permanent magnet arrangement or small electromagnet if necessary?
If this a safety door, then you most likely require interlock/confirmation switches on closed or detection on both open and closed position.
There are special safety switches that defeat overiding.
Al.

[txcncman]

Consider spring loading so that it opens itself when unlatched. Can also include an interlock in the latch. Operator is forced to close the door before cycle start is allowed.

[Al_The_Man]

If this has to conform to OSHA for safety.
see ebay 300701155058
Al.

[harryn]

The laser enclosures I saw europe had double walls, with sensors in between the walls. If the laser beam was detected in between the walls, then it shut down the laser. This construction was used on every aspect of the enclosure, including floor, ceiling, and doors.

The shutdown time was a fraction of a second (no idea exactly how fast) because the cutting speeds were amazingly fast.