Beckwood Press Company now offers hydraulic presses equipped with PSDI (Presence Sensing Device Initiation) for increased productivity and safety. The PSDI control system involves the use of electro-optical (light curtain) guarding to activate the press cycle, as opposed to a traditional two-hand touch button system.

As the press operator breaks the photoelectric barrier to remove a finished part, sensors detect the beam interruption and send a signal to the control system. When the beam is again interrupted by the operator's placement of a new part into the press, sensors send a second signal to the press' control system. After the second beam interruption, when the sensors have detected that the point of operation is clear of the operator's hands or other objects, the press will automatically cycle.

This automation of the press controls can significantly increase productivity and reduce operator fatigue by eliminating the need for two-hand touch button depression to cycle the machine.

The use of PSDI systems has been reported to increase average manufacturing productivity by 35%. The PSDI system can increase safety by protecting non-operator employees near the press who would not be protected by manual actuation alone.