Electricity and Control November 2024

PLANT MAINTENANCE, TEST + MEASUREMENT : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Comprehensive solutions for planned maintenance

Prioritising safety for maintenance teams The VKB Group, a leading agricultural enterprise and key employer in the rural Eastern Free State, has chosen SafeGauge, a wireless, digital measurement tool, to en hance the safety of its service and maintenance teams at its Reitz service centre. This decision highlights VKB’s commitment to prioritising safety, using advanced tech nologies to protect its workforce and maintain efficiency while ensuring the smooth operating performance of its farming equipment. It also sets a new safety standard in the farming sector and underscores VKB’s dedication to continuous improvement. Supplied by Booyco Electronics, the official South African distributor, SafeGauge’s wireless monitoring solu tions are designed to eliminate the need for technicians to work close to potentially dangerous equipment. Louis Venter, Area Sales Manager at Booyco Electronics, says using SafeGauge’s innovative wireless measurement tools, VKB’s service and maintenance teams can measure hydraulic and pneumatic pressures as well as wear tolerances or alignment from a safe distance. “This changes the traditional way of working and minimises the risk of injury during routine maintenance, or in situations where equipment failure could pose a hazard,” he says. “The adoption of SafeGauge’s technology is particularly significant for VKB’s servicing operations in Reitz, where heavy machinery such as Case tractors and combine harvesters are routinely serviced and repaired. With the SafeGauge kit, technicians can perform the necessary checks and RS PRO, the own brand of RS, offers a comprehensive selection of over 80 000 products spanning diverse in dustries and technologies. Well-known for its quality and extensive range, RS PRO offers a smart choice for busi nesses and working environments. Planned maintenance is a crucial aspect of every pro duction cycle, and manufacturing companies regularly schedule downtime for this purpose. To support these maintenance activities, RS PRO is expanding its Planned Maintenance range. It will add over 850 new products across more than 24 categories to its portfolio, providing all the components and materials needed to optimise the maintenance process. Building on the existing range of over 55 000 products, with the additional products RS aims to offer its customers a comprehensive selection at a competitive price. The new range offers solutions for minimising down time, increasing productivity, and reducing costs. This extends from monitoring equipment to assess machine performance to having the right parts available when needed. Test & measurement, automation components, lighting, cable accessories, batteries, fasteners & fix ings, lubricants & greases, tools, PPE, site safety, and

RS is expanding its own brand of solutions for maintenance across diverse industries. cleaning solutions – RS PRO offers a comprehensive one-brand solution for diverse maintenance needs. The expansion of planned maintenance solutions ca ters to a broad spectrum of sectors, including discrete and process manufacturing, energy and utilities, facili ties and intralogistics. With this new range expansion, RS PRO ensures that its solutions can address the needs of each customer. In the ever-changing industrial environment, RS PRO is committed to quality and choice, offering customers a comprehensive range that meets design and compli ance specifications at all stages of the product lifecycle.

For more information visit: https://za.rs-online.com/web

SafeGauge’s wireless monitoring solutions are designed to allow technicians to work at a safe distance from potentially dangerous equipment. measurements without coming into direct contact with the machinery, enhancing overall safety.” Venter says in addition to safety benefits, the imple mentation of SafeGauge will support improvements in operational efficiency. The wireless measurement tools enable faster and more accurate data collection, which reduces downtime and ensures machinery is maintained at optimal performance levels. This aligns with VKB’s goals of maximising productivity and minimising the im pact of equipment failure on its clients’ farming activities. “By selecting SafeGauge, VKB is addressing imme diate safety concerns and investing in its service opera tions. The technology can be easily integrated with dig ital platforms, providing for enhanced data analysis and predictive maintenance capabilities,” Venter says. “This proactive approach will help VKB to continue operating efficiently while maintaining a strong focus on the well being of its employees.” □

28 Electricity + Control NOVEMBER 2024