A Simpler Safety Fence Solution
Safety fencing provides a simple and effective protection from danger. A new approach to fence design from ABB Jokab Safety Products helps make it easier to design, purchase, install and maintain safety fence systems.
Darrell Burkeen and the other members of his engineering team developed a simplified, standardized fencing system based on a small parts list that includes a single panel width of 1,500 mm. The simplicity of this system, America's Quick-Guard (AQG), overcomes the two major shortcomings to traditional technology: purchasing complexity and deployment time.
"Designing a traditional steel or aluminum fence enclosure requires selecting the required components from a catalog or list that includes a large number of items," said a company spokesperson. "That process typically starts with a sketch or drawing of the desired layout with dimensions and required features like doors and safety devices. Those requirements are communicated via an RFQ to the distributor who creates a CAD model of the system and responds with a quote, bill of materials and estimated delivery date. Depending on the parts required, complexity of the system and level of customization needed, that delivery date may be further in the future than desired."
"I spoke to an engineer who described how a customer-a major automaker-became very frustrated with delays in receiving a fence system," recalled Burkeen. "That delay became the sticking point preventing start-up of a new production line. That is not an uncommon situation. Perimeter guarding is a small portion of the overall project and is often one of the last items to be ordered. Because of this, it is one of the most time critical systems to completing a project."
"With just 14 components, specifying a fence system is far easier. Based on the dimensions and configuration provided by the user, the distributor can quickly and easily build the bill of materials," said the spokesperson. "Lead time for delivery is also greatly shortened. Because of the compact list of components, distributors can easily and affordably stock the entire product line."
"The short parts list of AQG components panels, posts, doors and bracket kits practically eliminates any confusion or head-scratching during assembly," continued the spokesperson. "The single, standard 1,500 mm AQG panel can meet the design requirements of most system layouts."
In cases where smaller panels are needed, or when on-site adjustments are required, the width can be shortened using bolt cutters to cut the mesh and a chop saw to cut the channel. On-site modifications to steel fence systems often require torches and/or welders.
The time required to mount safety e-stops and sensors is also reduced when compatible Jokab components are selected. Many of them include quarter-turn fasteners that quickly lock the device to the aluminum frame with no drilling or special mounting plates.
The AQG panels add durability with a design that locks the screen into the T slot along all four edges. "When a fencing system is damaged, repairing traditional aluminum or steel fence components may be done relatively quickly if it is a standard part and the distributor has it on hand. With AQG components, it is easy for the replacement to be on hand and available for delivery," said the spokesperson.
As the process layout grows or changes, an AQG fence system can easily be enlarged or adapted to meet the new requirements. "That short, standard list of components ensures that the existing panels and posts can be repurposed and reconfigured, and that new components will perfectly fit," said the spokesperson.
"AQG was designed by safety experts with the machine safety integrator in mind," concluded the spokesperson. "The simplicity of AQG helps ensure less complexity and reduced delays, from design through delivery and assembly, with costs that are comparable to traditional aluminum fence systems."
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