Something we might want to consider in the medium term:
We could most likely at least automate the gate open/close and collector startup in the wood shop. If want to go a step further, we could outfit each tool ( at least the fixed ones ) with a relay box that will not supply power until dust collection is active.
Possibly this could be a simple interlock switch on each station’s dust collection gate. Open the gate, electronically check to verify collector is running, and only then can the tool get power. Could all be done with relays and microswitches. NO SOFTWARE. Software tends to cause feature creep…
If the “collector active” signal were tied in to the collector’s “I’m full” detector, then the shop would effectively be shut down once the collector is full and stay that way until it’s emptied.
You would want a “must press reset” at each station in with the dust collector signal so there is no chance of a tool being on, but shut down by the interlock, and then coming back on when the bin is cleaned.
Probably needs some more thought. This is just a first pass.
But, it would ensure that tools are not run without dust collection, and that the collectors are emptied in a timely manner.