are clamped into this a tool holder 24 is attached to an upper yoke 22 for a stamp 26 that can be lowered with great pressure and precise path definition which is angled in the working area and ends in a wedge shaped stamp edge 28 there is a workpiece 30 on the die 20 a metal sheet that has already been bent once at least two consoles 32 to hold the workpiece 30 are coupled to the machine frame 12 so that they move longitudinally these consoles also move vertically as indicated by arrows 33 an optoelectric safety system for the folding press 10 incorporates a vertical light barrier 34 with parallel beams which are around 15 mm apart running perpendicular to the drawing sheet and are shown rotated these beams 36 are transmitted from the first column 38 on one side of the machine and received by a second column 38 on the other side of the machine the safety light barrier 34 completely covers the access opening 40 in the protective housing 14 of the machine a second light barrier 42 of the safety system slightly inclined in relation to the horizontal is depicted in the same way as the vertical light barrier 34 it runs at an angle to this the operator 39 s freedom of movement is clearly greatly restricted by this according to the instantaneous view in fig1 both light barriers 34 are inactive the operator 39 s forearm 44 is reaching through the vertical light barrier 34 and.