Industrial Categories
see the categories and sub-categories
- Automation Network
- Calibration Services
- Health & Safety
- Logistics
- Machinery Safety
- - Emergency Stop Units
- - HMI
- - Interlocking - Safe Key Sequencing Access Systems
- - Light Curtain Monitors
- - Motion Control
- - Power Monitoring Relays
- - Programmable Safety Systems (PSS)
- - Railway Sector
- - Safe Bus Systems
- - Safety Assessment
- - Safety Mats
- - Safety Relays
- - Safety Switches
- - Temperature
- - Voltage Monitoring Relays
- - Wind Energy
- Monitors
- Measurement & Control
- Panel Meters
- Sensors
- Thermal Imaging
- Wireless Communication
The Key Transfer
“More than a principle ... The way forward to optimum safety”
Based on the idea that a key can not be in two places at the same time, our locking systems force operators to perform a predetermined sequence, particularly in relation to maintenance and operating requirements. In its most basic form, the key transfer principle involves the positive locking of the power source and access point of a machine, with locks operated by a single common key. Our extensive range of locks permits the locking of most control circuits, switchgear and access points.
This technology, is considered to be the most effective form of industrial safety.
By this method, you have the guarantee that all your hazardous work areas are protected with maximum security. This technology, is considered to be the most effective form of industrial safety protection, and can be completely automated.
The devices are cost effective, quick and easy to install.
A simple system might consist of two locks and a single key.
Safe access is enabled through transfer of keys that are either trapped or released in a safe sequence. For example a key is used to the isolate power, this key is then released and can then be used to gain access through a gate or door to a high risk area by inserting it in to an access lock. The key will then remain trapped until the gate or door is closed. A personnel or safety key can be released from the access lock, this ensures that the gate or door can not be closed and the initial key released until this personnel or safety key is returned. This provides increased operator safety.
Benefits
- Substantial reduction of worker accidents.
- Easy to install and to integrate on your working process.
- Predetermined sequence of actions to follow in order to gain access to a dangerous area or machine.
INTERLOCK safety products are divided in to four groups
| The ‘S’ series | The ‘NX’ series | The ‘HFS’ series | The ‘ROTARY' series |
| Copper-aluminium locking systems dedicated for heavy duty applications or aggressive environment such as cement industries for example. | Complete stainless steel locking systems. Suitable for all types of industrial applications (mechanical or electrical). Several combinations are available. | Used mainly in the Energy sector for guaranteed safety on medium & low voltage installations (transformers, circuit breaker...) | Made in nickel brass. Composed by rotary and cam locking systems for the controlling access of power or control circuits. |
Other Special Interlocking Products
RGV hose coupling interlock safeguards silo deliveries
Our RGV range of hose coupling safety products, which are fitted to silo inlet pipes, ensure tanker drivers deliver their load to the correct silo.
Companies need to consider the risk of a tanker driver accidently delivering their load to the wrong storage silo. Such processes have to be optimized to satisfy increasingly tough legal requirements, as well as to prevent the risk of accidents caused mainly by human error.
Now lighter, more resilient and easy to use, the latest version of the RGV enables the safe transfer of goods via trapped-key interlocking technology. The RGV range requires operators to receive authorization from the 
control room before the process can begin. Depending on the type of product being used, this authorization is given either by the hose coupling being unlocked remotely or through the use of an interlocking safety key. The addition of an inductive proximity sensor indicates that a tanker driver is transferring their load.
Mechanical RGV
To connect this product to the silo, the operator must obtain the dedicated coded key from the loading manager. Each silo has a corresponding key to avoid load transfer errors.
This solution can be used in conjunction with STI’s RFID key management panel, Smart Key Manager, to ensure optimum safety and traceability.
Electromechanical RGV
To connect this product to the silo, the operator has to liaise with the loading manager and wait for authorization from the control room before coupling the hose and starting to unload. Access to the coupling is granted directly from the control room.
Electrical contacts can be added to either version of the RGV to enable monitoring from the control room. Supervisors can see which RGVs have been made available to tanker drivers and those that have hose couplings attached.
New Dynamic Smart key management system offers real-time control and traceability
Mechanical RGV
To connect this product to the silo, the operator must obtain the dedicated coded key from the loading manager. Each silo has a corresponding key to avoid load transfer errors.
This solution can be used in conjunction with STI’s RFID key management panel, Smart Key Manager, to ensure optimum safety and traceability.
Electromechanical RGV
To connect this product to the silo, the operator has to liaise with the loading manager and wait for authorization from the control room before coupling the hose and starting to unload. Access to the coupling is granted directly from the control room.
Electrical contacts can be added to either version of the RGV to enable monitoring from the control room. Supervisors can see which RGVs have been made available to tanker drivers and those that have hose couplings attached.
New Dynamic Smart key management system offers real-time control and traceability
The Smart Key Manager uses RFID to guarantee high levels of security and productivity
A new security product that combines key management with real-time traceability. Using RFID technology to guarantee a high level of reliability, the Smart Key Man
ager can accept up to 16 key modules, controlling a total of 256 keys.
The product’s webserver interface allows the system to be checked and managed in real-time via a web browser from a PC, tablet or smartphone; no software needs to be installed. The system indicates which keys are present in or absent from the cabinet, who has taken each key and when. Via email, managers can choose to be kept informed of key movement, inform others and monitor several levels of administrators.
Full or partial access to keys can be given remotely via the interface, ensuring that individuals can only access keys relevant to them. The Smart Key Manager offers three levels of security by requiring users to prove their identity with a badge, PIN code or a combination of the two.
Aside from peace of mind, the system increases productivity as keys normally held by members of staff who are suddenly taken ill can be transferred to other workers.
When a user needs access to a key, they first need to prove their identity with their badge or PIN code. The control panel then displays the list of keys that the user is authorised to remove. The user chooses the appropriate key, waits for the key movement to be registered, and removes the key that is now free.
To return the key, the user holds the key fob in front of the control panel and the Smart Key Manager indicates where the key should be inserted and trapped.
Flexible Remote Valve Drive
Flexible Remote Drive is a versatile product consisting of two stations, joined by a linear drive cable, which enables valves and other wheel operated devices in remote, hard-to-reach or hazardous locations to be operated with ease from a conveniently located handwheel. Flexible Remote Drive can be applied to any conventional wheel-operated valve/device. It is suitable for underwater use and the most extreme climatic conditions. The cable system can deliver torque output for most manual valve operations and transmits drive up to 30 metres from the operator station. The flexible cable system facilitates up to 540° of bends in the cable run.
Truck Docking Safety
SIGMA TRUCK IMMOBILIZER & INTERLOCKING
Loading and Unloading Risks
Loading, unloading and moving materials/goods from trucks are daily activities that, when done unsafely, can pose safety risks for everyone involved, from forklift operators and dock attendants to service technicians and bystanders, which might result in serious accidents and expensive insurance claims. Whether you are a small business owner or a large enterprise, an unsafe docking station affects the trailer transporter, the dock receiver/loader and/or any person within the dock work space.
As each facility might be totally different to others it is difficult to apply one standard solution for all, and wheel chocks is definitely not the answer.
We can help you to make your docking stations and loading ramps or bays safe work spaces.
Truck loading enhanced safety system with interlocking
Prevent Drive Aways
Available for the first time, a product that interlocks the trailer to the loading bay ensuring drive-away cannot occur during loading and unloading. All at a fraction of the cost of the existing solutions on the market.
A product that prevents drive-aways at loading bays and reduces the dependency on written procedures. The drivers can retain their keys and above all, the loaders are in control of the situation at all times.
The device ensures the loading bay doors cannot be opened until a trailer is in place, reducing the likelihood of unauthorised access into the building via an open bay door.Improves Loading Efficiency
Additional to the increased safety, it has also been seen to improve the efficiency of the loading operation through improved communication between the yard and the loader with device giving the loader immediate indication that the trailer is ready for loading. Also, a previously unrecognised advantage of implementing this device is the security aspect.
What, Why, How?
What is it and what does it do?
The device offered by Sigma prevents the unauthorised movement of an articulated trailer during the loading or unloading of goods at a loading bay.
Why would I need such a product?
Because accidents happen. A number of high profile accidents and near misses occur every year in the logistics industry.
A typical accident…
A driver reverses up to a loading bay.
The loader starts to unload the delivered goods.
The driver realizes he has trapped his vehicle number plate, so gets back into the cab to pull the trailer forward. This happens just as the loader is reversing out of the trailer.
Consequence, loader falls through the gap.
How is it different from what’s on the market already?
The device forces the operator / driver to carry out tasks prior to the loading process beginning. The device removes the human error element. Most existing safety products used in the loading bay industry are procedure controlled, i.e. they should be used but nothing forces them to be implemented.
A typical example would be the use of wheel chocks. They SHOULD be put in place prior to the loading operation but it relies 100% on the operators integrity and the company’s enforcement of the procedure.
The Device links the articulated trailer to the loading bay door during the loading or unloading of goods.
The Device comprises of two sections:
1. The lock that controls the movement of the articulated trailer
2. The lock that controls the opening of the loading bay door.
The Device is fitted to the emergency air brake line coupling when the trailer has been reversed into position at the bay. After successful fitment, one of our coded keys is released from the Device, locking the unit firmly onto the coupling. The coded key can only be released once the Device has been fitted to the brake coupling.
The coded key is then taken to the corresponding loading bay door and used to open the door. Full system options can be viewed in the IOM and the animation section.
The secret of the system is that only one key exists per bay, thus ensuring that the door can only be opened ONCE the trailer has been secured in place. To ensure the integrity of the system, each bay will have a different code.
Flexibility
The System has such flexibility that a number of different options are available to link the door to the trailer,
dependant upon the working practices of the site, the door locks can vary from a mechanical only lock to a solenoid controlled electrical lock. The final design will be decided upon completion of a site survey.
We have added a new component to our range of drive-away prevention systems, the Chock. The unit removes the risk of accidental drive-aways occurring during loading operations by forcing operatives to chock vehicles before loading can begin.
The Chock introduces discipline into the chocking procedure by interlocking the chock to the loading bay. If the chock is not correctly fitted, the bay door cannot be opened. Like all of the existing products in our range, the Chock relies on our time-proven trapped-key technology. Once the driver has positioned the vehicle at the bay, the chock is collected and positioned. Depressing the foot pedal three times clamps the two halves of the chock together around the wheel and releases the trapped key.
The Chock is now tightly clamped and cannot be removed unless the coded key is reinserted.
The key is transferred to the control switch located at the loading bay, which will allow the loader inside the warehouse to open the door.
To remove the Chock, the loader must first close the loading bay door. The driver can then remove the key and return to the chock. Inserting the key will enable pumping of the pedal to release the pressure and subsequent removal of the chock. It should be noted that the key cannot be removed while the chock is in its free state.
As each facility might be totally different to others it is difficult to apply one standard solution for all, and wheel chocks is definitely not the answer.
We can help you to make your docking stations and loading ramps or bays safe work spaces.