Category Archives: Blog

The Importance of MHE or Forklift and Pedestrian Safety Systems: Use Cases and Benefits Across Industries

APRIL 4, 2023 | MHE OR FORKLIFT AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY SYSTEM, USE CASES, COLLISION AVOIDANCE, COST REDUCTION

MHE (Material Handling Equipment) and forklifts are commonly used in a wide range of industries, from warehousing and manufacturing to construction and retail. While these machines are essential for efficient material handling, they also pose a significant risk to pedestrian safety in the workplace. In fact, according to OSHA, forklifts are one of the most frequently cited workplace hazards, and pedestrian accidents involving forklifts can result in serious injury or even death.

To mitigate this risk, many companies are investing in MHE and forklift pedestrian safety systems, such as IoT sensors, alarms, and cameras. These systems are designed to alert forklift operators when pedestrians are nearby and help prevent collisions.

But the benefits of these safety systems go beyond just avoiding accidents. By implementing these systems, companies can also increase productivity by reducing downtime caused by accidents, lower insurance costs by improving safety records, and improve employee morale by creating a safer work environment.

The diverse use cases for MHE and forklift pedestrian safety systems:

Use Case 1: Warehouse Operations

In warehouses and distribution centers, MHEs or forklifts are used to transport heavy goods from one location to another. However, with pedestrians working alongside MHE or forklifts, the risk of accidents is high. To address this, safety systems such as warning lights and audible alarms can be installed on forklift to alert pedestrians of their presence. Additionally, IoT sensors can be placed at intersections and blind spots to detect pedestrians and activate warning signals on forklifts.

Use Case 2: Manufacturing Plants

In manufacturing plants, problems such as the risk of collision between MHEs or forklifts and operators, frequent speeding, and falling items occur from time to time.

To avoid collision, the manufacturer installed the AI anti-collision warning system with a display screen to monitor pedestrians moving back and forth. Hence, the system automatically sends warning signals to MHE or forklift operators and pedestrians.

In addition, MHE or forklift speed limiter can be equipped to provide some useful features to increase safety of drivers and pedestrians as well as improve driving behavior.

  • Adjustable speed limits: The speed limit can be changed depending on the requirements of the particular task or the operating environment.
  • Audible warning system: Warns the operator and workers of MHE or forklift’s existence, especially when it is turning or going backward.
  • Automatic speed reduction: Reduce the MHE or forklift’s speed automatically whenever it approaches an intersection or a walkway for pedestrians.
  • Emergency stop: In an accident or when a collision is about to occur, the MHE or forklift must be stopped immediately.
  • Data logging and reporting: Gather and report information about the MHE or forklift’s speed and movements so that it can be used to locate high-risk locations and enhance safety procedures.

Use Case 3: Retail Stores

Retail stores are considered one of the industries that are also equipped with MHEs or forklifts to move merchandise and products. Since the retail store is public, there will be many shoppers. It raises the danger of collisions with customers.

To minimize the risk of collision, the safety systems which are used in retail stores, include warning signs and barriers. Hence, forklifts and pedestrians can be separated by barriers, meanwhile the customers can be warned by warning signs when MHEs or forklifts are nearby. Additionally, MHEs or forklifts can have speed limiters added to lower the speed, which can significantly reduce the likelihood of collisions and injuries.

Use Case 4: Construction Sites

Another industry that usually adopts the MHEs or forklifts is construction sites to move the heavy materials such as concrete, steels, bricks, and others efficiently. However, the limited space makes it difficult for workers and MHEs or forklifts to move around, particularly since workplaces are frequently busy and chaotic. As a result, collision accidents occur because the MHE or forklift operators are unable to see the workers clearly.

To solve such problems, construction sites apply the combination of cameras and sensors that offer a 360-degree viewing capabilities as a security system for MHEs or forklifts. Thus, the camera provides a clear view of the work area where there is poor visibility or blind spots. Besides, the system also assists in detecting pedestrian surroundings and notify MHE or forklift users of potential dangers. It prevents equipment damage and worker injury.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MHE and forklift pedestrian safety systems are critical for protecting workers and preventing accidents in a variety of industries. By implementing these systems, companies can improve safety records, increase productivity, and create a safer work environment for their employees.

Contact us for a private e-meeting to start your MHE or forklifts and pedestrians safety system in your industry.

ESG and Energy Monitoring: A Powerful Pair for a Sustainable Future

MARCH 22, 2023 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ESG, SUSTAINABILITY

Energy management and monitoring refer to the processes and systems used to optimize energy usage in buildings, industries, and more. Real-time monitoring and analysis of energy data can help identify areas of high energy use and potential energy savings opportunities. So, energy management and monitoring are critical components of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives.

In recent years, companies have become increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability and are implementing measures to reduce their environmental impact. Investors are increasingly considering ESG factors when making investment decisions, as they recognize the importance of sustainable and responsible business practices. Companies that implement effective energy management and monitoring strategies are more likely to be viewed positively by investors.

Thus, energy management and monitoring play a key role by helping companies:

  • Improve their energy efficiency
  • Reduce their carbon footprint
  • Comply with environmental law

Beyond Sustainability: The Business Benefits of Energy Monitoring

1. Cost savings

Energy management and monitoring can lead to significant cost savings for businesses, as reducing energy consumption can lower utility bills and operational expenses. By optimizing energy use, companies can improve their bottom line while also reducing their environmental impact.

Energy management and monitoring includes activities such as:

  • Tracking energy consumption – identify areas where energy is being wasted, such as equipment that is left on when not in use or inefficient processes 
  • Reducing energy waste –  results in lower emissions 
  • Adapting energy efficiency measures – upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment or implementing renewable energy solutions

The other ways of conducting energy management is by building automation systems to control lighting, HVAC systems and so on. Investing in energy-efficient technologies can reduce energy consumption and lower operational costs in the long run.

By monitoring energy usage, it is possible to project future energy expenses. This can help businesses better plan and budget for energy-related expenses, reducing the likelihood of unexpected expenses and helping to ensure more stable financial performance. Hence, optimizing energy usage can help to save money on energy costs and avoid paying unnecessary fees.

2. Achieve energy efficiency goals

Monitoring energy usage is equally important in achieving energy efficiency goals. Energy efficiency goals typically focus on reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity and comfort levels. Identifying and collecting data from the energy consumption is crucial to provide vital insight. This information can be used to make adjustments and take corrective action as needed to ensure that the organization is on track to achieve its goals. For example, the information can be used as: 

  • Energy benchmarking – that can help managers to compare their energy performance with others and thus make improvement
  • Set realistic energy usage goals based on historical & real-time data
  • Energy efficiency upgrades – identify opportunities to upgrade energy-efficient appliances

Moreover, company can do regular energy monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of their energy efficiency strategies and thus it helps businesses to: 

  • Detect and fix issues with their energy systems- identify patterns and any abnormal spikes or dips in usage
  • Reduce risk associated with energy usage such as electrical fires
  • Save the cost– improve energy utilization which leads to cost-effectiveness

It is challenging to maintain efficiency certifications and targeted goals without ongoing analyses because it misses identification of energy consumption which will lead to energy wastage. Hence, utilizing new intelligence from these deployments can lead to certifying facilities to efficiency standards.

3. Improve ESG reporting

Energy management and monitoring also play a crucial role in ESG reporting. ESG reporting is a process where companies disclose their environmental, social, and governance performance to stakeholders. ESG reporting has become increasingly important, as stakeholders place greater emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility.

Companies that effectively manage their ESG performance can attract socially responsible investors, and enhance their reputation and long-term financial performance. So, meeting ESG metrics can build trust and credibility with stakeholders and contribute to their long-term success.

Energy monitoring also can help organizations demonstrate their progress towards energy efficiency goals and other ESG targets. This includes information such as: 

  • Energy usage
  • Greenhouse gas emissions
  • Other sustainability metrics

4. Comply with environmental regulations

Energy use has a significant impact on the environment including air pollution, water pollution, climate change, and other environmental issues. The importance of energy regulations has grown as the global community has become more aware of the urgent need to address climate change and other environmental issues.

To protect human health, address these impacts and promote more sustainable and equitable energy systems, governments around the world have implemented a range of regulations and policies related to energy use and production. So, energy management and monitoring are critical for adhering to rules. Also, it can help organizations comply with a wide range of environmental regulations and better conserve the resources.

By monitoring energy usage, it can benefit both the company and society because it helps organizations identify and manage environmental risks related to their energy use and associated emissions. Therefore, the companies that with good management of energy usage can ensure they meet these requirements and avoid penalties or fines.

Conclusion

To sum up, effective energy management and monitoring enabled the companies to reduce utility cost, minimize the environmental impact, walk the talk of social responsibility and sustainability, and abide by environmental laws. Investing in energy management and monitoring can be an excellent long-term strategy for businesses looking to enhance their environmental and social impact.

Check out our first ESG project with BVH’s GBI platinum certified building >> https://lnkd.in/gD7GT6Px

Contact us for a private e-meeting to start better energy management and monitoring

OEE Monitoring In Manufacturing: Why is it important, What are the opportunities and challenges

OCTOBER 15, 2021 | OEE MONITORING IN MANUFACTUING:WHY IS IT IMPORTANT, WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITES AND CHALLENGES

Have you ever wondered if your machinery is operating at its full load capacity? Or perhaps you’ve seen numerous time losses in your equipment during various operations, resulting in a reduction of overall output but you can’t seem to find the source of the problem. A situation like this is precisely why overall equipment effectiveness helps solve and correct.

The term overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is used to evaluate how efficiently a manufacturer’s operation is being used. OEE helps you identify the problems in your operations and determine which percentage of production time is truly productive and repair it while providing a consistent measure for measuring progress. Moreover, continuous improvement is the objective of measuring your OEE.

OEE is an important measuring tool that provides a lot of information in a single figure and there are multiple ways of measuring manufacturing productivity from OEE. When OEE is measured and evaluated correctly, it has the potential to maximize your production. The benchmark of OEE is used to compare any given production to industry standards and in-house equipment. The standard OEE benchmark is measured as follows:

  • Perfect production is defined as an OEE score of 100 percent, which means you’re only producing high-quality components as rapidly as possible with no downtime.
  • For discrete manufacturers, an OEE score of 85 percent is considered world-class and is a long-term objective.
  • A 60 percent OEE score is common for discrete manufacturers, indicating that there is still a lot of opportunity for development.
  • An OEE score of 40 percent is considered poor, but it’s not unusual for manufacturers that are just getting started with performance tracking and improvement. In most situations, a poor score may be readily improved by using simple steps.

Continuously measuring OEE requires you to obtain different sources in different times frame such as connectivity between different management systems (ERP, MES), equipment sets, IoT devices and staff reporting (tablets, screens). 

With production line producing more than one product, it makes sense to manage OEE in the context of the specific product and specification which correlates to the two key OEE parameters, Availability and Efficiency.

Opportunities

  • By using OEE management, data collection is more accurate than manually inputting on a spreadsheet.
  • OEE can be an important tool in balancing tasks and responsibilities in your manufacturing
  • OEE can help you understand how to increase profit through increased Availability

Challenges

  • It is easy to collect any data of machine faulty but when there’s too much data, it becomes a mess that makes it difficult to identify the real issue. Collect less data, do it effectively, and then make judgments based on that data. The value of data is determined by how it is applied.
  • Human interpretation still needs to remain in the core element of OEE study and calculation. When a machine goes down, part of the line control system (the data collecting software) should be able to immediately tell the status change, but this is not always the case. This is where we need to validate the data and correct the software setup which requires humans to collect the data and understanding the contributing factors behind the numbers.

Benefits of using Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) to improve production

Implementing an overall equipment effectiveness strategy can help you meet your production goals. It enables you to fine-tune production processes in real-time, decreasing downtime, boosting capacity, lowering cost, enhancing the quality, and increasing efficiency.

  1. Return of Investment (ROI): Your company heavily invests in machinery, and it is crucial to receive the maximum return of investment. When using the OEE strategy, it may have a significant impact on your bottom line by producing more products on the same equipment at the same time.
  2. Maximize Workforce Productivity: OEE can help you figure out why you experience operator downtimes, provide productivity statistics, and highlight delayed changeovers or setup times. This type of information helps in resource allocation, identifying areas of surplus capacity and determining where additional personnel are required.
  3. Easily Visualize Performances:  Overall equipment effectiveness focuses on visibility, allowing you to visualize production difficulties rather than relying on your best estimate. Everyone can see what is working and where improvements are required by combining the major drivers of productivity losses into a single percentage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0CD5-qT0EQ
Contact us for a private e-meeting to start your OEE journey

Ready to Leverage Real-Time Location System (RTLS) In Your Industry?

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | REAL-TIME LOCATION SYSTEM, LOCATION SYSTEM INSIGHTS, AUTOMATION INSIGHTS

As digitalization and automation are the trend-setting developments surrounding industry 4.0, it is essential to adopt a centralized intelligent system to help improve and sustain the work of humans and machines.

A real-time location system (RTLS) is one solution that has received much attention to be a cost-efficiency solution. It has made a significant contribution to the overall industrial environment, but how does the implementation of RTLS significantly contribute to your industrial environment?

There is a critical ingredient to success when it comes to efficiency improvements: data.

An effective industrial environment is more of a guessing game than an intelligent and efficient operation without real-time data. The decisions you make would not be known if they had a good impact until weeks or months after the changes were implemented. This is where RTLS eliminates the assumed factors of your operation by delivering quick real-time data of your industrial environment.

Inventory/ Asset Tracking

Keeping track of critical assets/inventory is crucial for your manufacturing factory. Manufacturing pieces of equipment is essential for the company, and they are considered an expensive asset that needs to be maintained and located at all times. Inability to track your assets/inventory can disrupt the company production efficiency and production line.

Production Lead Time

In a conventional factory, workers must pick and pack assets by searching through racks and shelves, sometimes spending a longer time when certain assets are misplaced. When manual asset recording processes are used, it is more prone to errors with time delay because assets are usually not recorded immediately when it reaches the warehouse.

Material Shortage and Downtime

When a material run-outs at any production station, it causes a line stop and loss of productivity. It takes time for workers to respond to them and this also results in coordination breakdown.

Industrial Safety

Globally, industrial safety is becoming more critical, with government and regulatory bodies enacting higher safety standards that businesses must comply with. At times, manual staff tracking and accountability are highly inaccurate during emergencies. Moreover, the process is also time-consuming, and due to industrial sites typically in a large area and workforce, it is impossible to act urgently.

The benefit of RTLS:

  • Protecting assets and equipment with real-time information
  • Increasing production lead time by accurately locating assets and recording necessary asset data quickly
  • Improving efficiency between production workstations and monitoring work in progress
  • Monitoring a large area of industrial environment activity to monitor workers’ safety and hazardous area

RTLS Technology (BLE/ Active RFID/UWB)

RTLS configuration varies widely depending on the type of facility in which the technology is employed. With various components of RTLS technology such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Active RFID, and Ultra-wideband (UWB), it sends the data signal to the server to determine the location of the devices. Each component varies in ranges, accuracy, and battery lifetime to suit the industrial environment.

The choice of the most suitable technology depends on several factors:

  • (Precision) requirements for the system
  • The conditions on site
  • The number of assets to be tracked
  • Budget

Ready to implement an RTLS solution in your industrial environment? Kindly refer to the video below for more information, and contact us for a private e-meeting to start your RTLS journey, we are happy to help you to choose the right technology for your project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvYHBHC1DB0
Contact us for a private e-meeting to start your RTLS journey

Information Technology (IT) & Operational technology (OT) Convergence: How Does It Benefits Digital Manufacturing

AUGUST 10, 2021 | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, EDGE COMPUTING, IOT, MANUFACTURING, ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE, MACHINE LEARNING

As new technology brings operational hardware online, the border between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) is blurring – but what is the difference between IT and OT in the first place?

In summary:
– IT is concerned with data, in other words, IT is in charge of digital data flow.
– OT, on the other hand, is concerned with machinery, which means OT is in charge of the operation of machinery and the physical processes that carries them out.
– A useful comparison to describe their difference is: while IT happens in the office and is more often associated with software, OT happens on the production floor and is more often associated with hardware.

It’s important for key decision-makers in the manufacturing industries to comprehend the differences between IT and OT and how each domain can interrelate. Given the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) and its broad acceptance across the industry, manufacturers ought to spend on next-generation solutions that can bring IT and OT together to better analyze and control critical production asset and processes.

Information Technology (IT)

Simply stated, information technology (IT) is the use of the network, storage, and computing resources to generate, manage, store, and transport data within and between companies.

Some prominent features of IT includes:

1. IT has the ability to be reprogrammed.

While some technologies are built to execute a specific set of tasks (e.g. a piston), IT can be changed, enhanced, and reprogrammed in a variety of ways to suit changing networks, applications, and user requirements.

2. Other than software, IT also associates with hardware that relates to connectivity.

IT not only includes software, such as applications, operating systems, and virtualization capabilities, but also hardware, such as computers, physical servers, network equipment and so on.

Operational Technology (OT)

Operational technology (OT) can be defined as the technology that analyzes particular systems and technologies inside business operations at the most fundamental level.

Unlike IT, the hardware and software associated with OT are typically:
– intended to accomplish very particular tasks, such as regulating temperature, evaluating mechanical performance, activating emergency shutoffs, and so on;
– accomplished using industrial control system (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA).

A prominent feature of OT is that OT requires human intervention at certain critical points.

OT offers a fast and direct, yet physical method, such as a switch, a steer level, or a big red button, for workers on the manufacturing floor to carry out specific operation of machineries, such as adjusting temperature or humidity level, turning off equipments etc.
On the other hand, IT is able to execute essential activities without the need for continuous human involvement – as long as the processes remain within pre-programmed parameters.

The Convergence of IT & OT – Internet of Things (IoT) Technology

Although IT and OT have traditionally been separate aspects of contemporary companies, the boundaries between the two are melting and changing due to a process known as IT-OT convergence. Since IoT technology connects assets that aren’t usually linked to the internet — manufacturers looking to transition into a smart business may now generate new efficiencies by using the flexibility and connectivity expertise of IT to the physical assets of OT systems.

IoT can convenient production floor operators by maximizing visibility of machine performance and control of machine utilization.

Using IoT to Achieve Energy & Process Optimization in Tanand

A plug-and play solution enabled by IoT and deeper analytics tailored for energy and production monitoring to improve downtime management, manpower, quality of service and reduce costs of operation.

RTMA provides accurate insights for faster decision making, empowering your production team to:
– Remotely monitor & centralize all your data in real-time to maximize facilities and resources
– Stay informed with instant notifications by tracking server / router / application / machine downtime to know when certain thresholds or parameters are breached
– Get visual feedback into energy consumption and production performance by combining and analyzing machine, energy, process data, PLC, SCADA, and IoT sensor data
– Achieve predictive condition monitoring by implementing a demand-based maintenance scheduler tool that automatically prioritizes maintenance, as well as serves as a KPI measuring tool to evaluate maintenance

Contact us for private e-meeting to start your operational digitalization
1 2 3