Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
A firm statement, but a truism. Huib Slijkhuis, managing director Benelux at Brigade Electronics, therefore stands firmly behind his words. "In specifications there are more and more guidelines and requirements regarding safe working in the infra sector. Subcontractors are also required to take the necessary measures. Brigade Electronics ensures that safe working is within everyone's reach."
The equipment developed and produced by Brigade Electronics are the extra eyes and ears for anyone working with machinery. "The major players within the GWW have signed a covenant among themselves regarding working with the 360˚ camera. We therefore have partnerships with the larger machine manufacturers," Slijkhuis explains.
Backsense® is a true radar system, fully adjustable in width and depth.
Brigade Electronics is now introducing radar detection. Slijkhuis explains, "They are tools you have to be able to rely on. That is why our radar detection system does not work on the basis of ultrasonic sensors, as in cars. In GWW this is not practical because of the conditions in the field. Our Backsense® is therefore a true radar system, fully adjustable in width and depth. It is signaling made to measure. Our system can be connected to the machine's hydrostatic braking system if required."
So a nice emerging product. Brigade Electronics introduced an extra unit last month in which the info about the detection zone is shown along with the monitor. "Where the human eye and ear fall short, that's where we fill in," Slijkhuis suggests. "We really are of the KISS principle, 'Keep It Stupid Simple.' Green means good, yellow means be careful and red means stop. Anyone can use the system, language independent."
The Radar-on-screen hardware.
When asked how Brigade Electronics deals with requests for systems on machines that have not been seen before, Slijkhuis replies, "In such cases we talk about a questionable or unknown machine. No problem for us, it just requires more effort from our field service. Such machines we go to see on site, we determine what is needed to get everything safe and our specialized mechanics ensure a perfect installation on site."
As an additional form of support, Brigade Electronics also offers training courses. What should we imagine with such trainings? "We teach in these trainings how to handle the systems, how to link them to other systems. Setting up a 360˚ camera is taught, software-wise. If the customer prefers our people to do that, that's no problem either. We provide that service on site as a turnkey solution. Our service orientation and flexibility ensures that we are growing fast, in Belgium we are currently the market leader. You could say we are setting standards and people are starting to see us as the standard."
Backeye® monitoring system.
"We have a long-standing focus on safety and see saving lives as our daily work. The GWW needs to become safer and that requires transparency. People appreciate our honesty and advice," Slijkhuis outlines. He also gives a hint of the novelties in the pipeline. "We continue to develop. At Matexpo we will introduce a warning system that not only notifies the operator of danger, but also the people at risk. Furthermore, we are working on the AVAS system, now mandatory on electric vehicles. Electrification is now taking place in GWW as well, and that means machines must be made audible and operate speed-dependently within the danger zone."
