The Alcoa (Shanghai) Aluminium Products Co. Ltd. has chosen safety interlocks from Fortress Interlocks to keep workers safe at its factory in Shanghai. Forty-two amGard interlocks are installed at the factory to prevent workers from accessing dangerous machinery unless it is safe to do so.
The factory produces premium aluminum foil and the manufacturing process involves hazardous machinery and processes, including casting lines, rolling mills and heavy gauge slitters. Access to this machinery is closed off by heavy duty gates, to which the amGard interlocks are attached. The amGard units are connected to the machinery power supply, and only by pressing a button is the power supply switched off. When the machinery has completely shut down the amGard allows the gate to be opened and the machinery can be accessed. The power supply can only be switched on again when the worker has vacated the area, shut the safety gate, and pressed the start button.
Commenting on the Fortress interlocks, Li Hongbing, Alcoa's Secure Engineer, said, "The Fortress interlocks were recommended to us by one of Alcoa's Australian factories. We ran a trial and were happy with the result. Since installation they have been working very well – they are easy to use and can withstand constant, heavy use in a harsh industrial environment. I would certainly recommend them to other companies."
The Fortress amGard range is very robust and designed for the harshest industrial applications. Its locking mechanism is completely tamperproof and has dual channel safety circuitry, offering a highly secure working environment. The products allow quick and easy access to machinery with minimum production down-time. Users regard the product's virtually zero maintenance as a major benefit in its daily operation.
Fortress Interlocks Ltd
148-150 Birmingham New Road
Wolverhampton. WV4 6NT, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1902 499 600
Fax: +44 (0)1902 499 610
E-ml: sales@fortressinterlocks.com www.fortressinterlocks.com