Machine guarding system is way ahead for Honda

The new Honda car plant in Swindon, the first 'green field' car plant to be built in the UK in eight years, chose a machine guarding system so new it hadn't even been launched

Procter Machinery Guarding has successfully completed a six-figure contract to supply Honda with its revolutionary new product Angel.

The new Honda car plant, based at Swindon is the first 'green field' car plant to be built in the UK in eight years.

This £130 million investment has seen the creation of 4000 jobs and the safety of these workers is the company's main priority.

Honda chose a machine guarding system so new it hadn't even been launched to market - but that didn't stop the Japanese car manufacturers from placing their order with the South Wales-based firm after they saw a special preview.

The order vindicates the two years of development, which went into the Angel machine guarding system, safeguarding jobs and paving the way for future expansion as more enquiries already flood in from manufacturers across Europe.

Health and Safety is a key issue in the manufacturing sector with more than 7,000 accidents in the workplace recorded each year.

According to the Health and Safety Executive there were 7,216 accidents on the factory floor last year, which included 13 deaths.

1,732 were classed as major accidents and 5,471 cases resulted in employees taking three or more days off work.

Angel, designed as lightweight, highly durable and versatile, is aimed at both large and small-scale production lines, offering manufacturers a fresh contemporary design that leaves today's guarding options in the shade.

Managing Director, Jeremy Procter explained: "Angel is easy to specify, simple to order and we can turn around typical orders within a few days - that's what separates Angel from other machine guarding products.

"We can offer British industry a completely new and cost-effective alternative to the old prison camp approach to shop floor safety.

The Honda contract was a huge boost for staff, particularly as we hadn't even officially launched Angel at the time." Angel is able to stand out from the competition thanks to its standard component parts.

These can be installed, taken down and re-installed without modification, to suit any factory layout offering significant lifetime cost reductions and labour-saving benefits to the customer on their machine guarding investment.

"Our patent-protected connector is the key to the system's versatility," added Jeremy.

"It allows panels to be attached to posts from several directions giving the user a greater freedom in layout design." Jeremy also worked closely with a product design team to ensure that aesthetics retained an importance in the design.

As a result, Angel dramatically enhances the appearance of most machinery, creating safe workspaces, instilling confidence in both employers and staff.

Andrew Golesworthy, Engineering Manager at Honda has been responsible for overseeing the design and installation of the Angel system.

Andrew explains how Honda has benefited by working with Procter and choosing Angel to protect its workforce.

"We decided to use Angel after going through an extensive analysis based on our requirements, including: fit for purpose, future expansion, modification, British Safety and EU compliance and cost.

After considering several leading manufacturers, it was clear that Procter and Angel could best fulfil our needs," explained Andy.

Honda previewed the system in May 2000 and was so impressed it placed a six-figure order in the beginning of October.

The project needed to be undertaken swiftly to ensure that everything was in place before the plant's opening.

"The total installation was carried out on a tight budget and time scale and everything was delivered on cost in good time," said Andy.

"Because the guarding is so flexible, it allowed us to make last minute modifications with no disruption to other works, or to the timing of installations.

"Since the initial installation, Procter engineers with our own team, have carried out any modifications made to allow for equipment expansion.

All the work has been done quickly and easily due to the modular construction.

The physical appearance of the Angel guard lends itself well to the modern factory with its sleek minimalist lines, giving an overall professional look to our robotic manufacturing lines." Andy concludes: "I would recommend the use of the Angel guarding system for the quality and adaptability of the system but also for the overall support from Procter on site." Angel's systems panels are formed from heavy-duty frameless welded mesh, combining rigidity with lightweight appeal.

Alternative panel materials include steel sheet and clear polycarbonate to ensure the customer's requirements can always be met.

A range of standard panel widths is available, so that almost any configuration can be built using stock components.

Guards up to four metres high can be achieved - double the usual application - using Angel's extended posts.

The 2m wide Angel panels were tested and found to be the optimum size for rigidity and handling - allowing just one person to remove and replace the panels with ease.

The Angel access gates include hinged, horizontal and vertical sliding options - either manual or power operated.

These can be pre-fitted with a choice of interlocks to ensure safe access.

Mounting posts for photo-electric guards can also be provided.

All Angel components are fully compliant with harmonised European Machine Safety Standards.

Finally, compatible cable ducting is available to permit secure cabling around the guard perimeter without unsightly brackets or cable trays.

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