Enhancing Safety and Efficiency - Slitting/Printing Factory
At Arrow Automation, we prioritize the safety and well-being of operators while ensuring efficient and effective industrial processes. Our recent TÜV-certified safety project at a slitting and printing factory is a testament to our commitment to these values.
The Challenge
The factory faced significant safety concerns and operational inefficiencies due to outdated safety measures. The need to enhance operator safety without compromising on production efficiency was paramount. The existing safety protocols led to longer machine entry times, affecting overall productivity.
The Solution
Arrow Automation proposed and implemented a comprehensive safety upgrade, including the installation of light curtains, bollards, and pressure mats. These measures were strategically chosen to not only protect operators but also to streamline machine access and enhance overall efficiency.
How It Works
- Light Curtains: Installed to create invisible barriers that detect the presence of operators near the hazardous areas. These curtains immediately shut down the machine if an operator crosses the barrier, preventing accidental injuries.
- Bollards: In the event of extremely heavy rolls of paper being ejected by the high-speed slitting machines. Bollards were positioned around critical points on the machine to provide physical barriers that safeguard operators from being struck down by stray rolls of paper.
- Pressure Mats: Placed in strategic locations to ensure that machines are deactivated when an operator steps into a zone when the machine is in operation, adding an additional layer of safety.
- Safety contactors & Safe Torque Off - A combination of safety contactors and VSD safe torque off were employed to safely de-energise the system. This was due to the machine having many different types of hazards such as pressurised air, VSD's etc...
The Results
The TÜV-certified safety enhancements brought remarkable improvements to the factory's operations:
- Increased Operator Safety: The combination of light curtains, bollards, and pressure mats significantly reduced the risk of accidents, ensuring a safer working environment for the staff.
- Reduced Machine Entry Time: The new safety measures allowed for quicker and safer access to the machines, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity.
- Efficiency Gains: The streamlined safety protocols led to notable efficiency gains, as operators could perform their tasks more swiftly and confidently, knowing that their safety was ensured.
The Benefit of the Separation of Design and Verification process.
By ensuring that the design and installation were completed by different companies than the verification process, the project benefitted from an unbiased and thorough review. This separation provided an additional layer of assurance that the safety measures were meticulously verified and compliant with industry standards, ultimately enhancing the integrity and reliability of the system.
Conclusion
This successful TÜV-certified safety project underscores Arrow Automation's dedication to delivering innovative solutions that enhance both safety and efficiency. By integrating advanced safety technologies and maintaining rigorous verification processes, we not only safeguarded the operators but also optimized the factory's operational performance. At Arrow Automation, we believe that safety and efficiency go hand in hand, and this project is a shining example of our commitment to this philosophy.
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