Did you know that the industrial sector is the biggest consumer of energy on the planet, only behind transport? In a world where the ways we generate and consume energy are increasingly under scrutiny, it is imperative for industry players to understand and talk about the importance of saving energy.

Firstly, it is important to view energy saving not only as an issue linked to economic aspects, but also an issue that bears a direct impact on the environment and our societies. And, while there is consensus on the need to end dependence on oil and fossil fuels, manufacturing is responsible for more than 20% of harmful gas emissions on the planet and most companies require increasingly higher energy consumption to meet their operational needs.

What do we mean by “energy efficiency”?

As the world itself indicates, energy efficiency is the efficient use of energy, that is – being aware of our consumption patterns, and ensuring that they have the least possible impact on the environment. The energy efficiency policies of a company should, therefore, aim to protect the environment in which we live, doing so by reducing energy intensity and aligning the consumption of their business activity to what is truly necessary and nothing more.

¿How does energy saving benefit us?

The benefits associated with energy efficiency are multiple. Here are some of the most relevant:

• Significant economic benefits: By reducing energy consumption, we are also reducing our energy bills.
  

• Improved competitiveness: Reducing production costs increases our profitability. The money we save can then be invested, for instance, in our human resources and R&D – to boost the company’s competitiveness in the market -, occupational health and safety, etc.
  
  
• Reduction of environmental impact: By minimising energy consumption, we are also reducing our emission of gases that are harmful to the atmosphere, helping improve the health of the planet and its people, today and in generations to come.
  
  
• Environmental and social responsibility and commitment: By implementing measures aimed at greater energy efficiency, our companies show their commitment and corporate social responsibility, while strengthening their positioning and brand image before the various key audiences.
  
  
• Compliance with laws: Energy efficiency has also become an institutional requirement. Investing in energy efficiency and savings will help us avoid the high economic sanctions companies endure in the event of non-compliance.
  
  

Useful tips to save energy in our industries

At Claitec we believe that it is necessary and urgent to invest on actions that allow us to move towards a more sustainable future. The following tips will help you apply energy saving measures in factories or production plants:

• Lighting: Make the most of natural light and replace high consumption light bulbs with LED lighting. Use timers and sensors that adjust their uses as required. Small changes like these can be a source of notable savings.
  
  
• Air conditioning systems: Installing low-consumption heating and air conditioning equipment, with monitoring options will allow consumption to be optimised and reduce your energy bills.
  
  
• Insulation: Select the appropriate insulation for the walls, floors, and ceilings of your facilities so that the climate control systems can efficiently control cold or heat.
  
  
• Efficient energy: There are efficient energy sources on the market that are adapted to the intense energy consumption of industries and manufacturing environments. This energy will reduce operating costs and boost performance through reliable systems with no power limits.
  
  
• Consumption habits: Creating an energy saving culture in your work environment and amongst your collaborators will make it possible to standardise rational and efficient consumption habits in your workplace, thus achieving better results. Remember, small gestures can achieve great savings!
  
  
• Technology and innovation: Replacing old equipment and machinery with higher performance products that reduce production and time, will result in decreased energy consumption.
  
  

Savings and efficiency – objectives of a more sustainable industry

Energy efficiency is not a fad or a one-time phenomenon.

Institutions worldwide have already taken a clear position on the matter and are demanding that industry leaders work towards minimising our environmental impact and guaranteeing the sustainability of resources.

And high-volume consumers must respond. Choosing a good, efficient, and sustainable energy supply becomes a fundamental factor in successfully developing any manufacturing process or industrial transformation.

Need more information on the matter and/or any of our solutions?

Please get in touch! We are here to help you.

The VSG system (Virtual Safety Gate) is a virtual gate that warns drivers and pedestrians that passage is not allowed in certain areas or intersections by means of an alert system that projects a red line on the ground.

The virtual safety gate has been providing Claitec’s customers with valuable assistance and it’s becoming a great ally in improving safety and preventing work accidents in industrial corridors.

The VSG system can be easily placed at the entrance point of any aisle to notify forklift drivers when other vehicles or operators are circulating along the same aisle. The gates can be fitted either with an RGB pilot light on the post or with a traffic light that indicates whether passage is allowed or otherwise.

If there are no vehicles in the corridor, the VSG will project a green line on the ground. If a vehicle enters the corridor, it will automatically change the projection to red until the vehicle leaves the area, making it easy for the drivers to determine whether they can advance or whether they must wait.

There are several options to help detect if a forklift is circulating along the aisle:

• VSG – Internal configuration.

Configuring the VSG itself will help detect a vehicle as it enters or leaves an aisle, and automatically proceed to activate the line projectors: red when it detects the presence of a forklift that has not yet left, green when there is no forklift and /or has already left.

• VSG + PAS System.

The VSG is connected to an MT-50 and in the forklift, we have installed a PAS kit. So, when the MT-50 of the VSG detects the vehicle, it directly changes the projection colour to red, changing it to green only when the vehicle leaves the corridor.

• VSG + LSA System.

In this case, the VSG is connected to an LSA control unit, and the forklifts incorporate coded reflective bands. When a vehicle passes through the VSG, the VSG automatically reads its coded reflective stripes and changes the projection from green to red, alerting of the presence of a vehicle in the aisle.

• VSG + CAS-G2 System:

The VSG is connected to a CAS-G2 and in the forklift we have installed a CAS-G2 system. When the CAS-G2 detects the vehicle, it directly changes the projection colour to red, changing it to only when the vehicle leaves the corridor.

Should you have any questions and require our advice, please, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help!

The collision between forklifts is a very real risk in many industrial plants. At Claitec, we have observed that our customers’ warehouses and the warehouses of those who ask for our opinion, consistently experience very heavy traffic, and as such, the risk of collision is significantly increased.

We have also noticed corners or areas where forklift drivers lose visibility, either because they are 90-degree bends, or because there are doors that prevent them from seeing another truck on the other side.

How can this type of risks be minimized?

Collision Avoidance system (CAS-G2)

The Collision Avoidance System is a solution that warns the forklift driver when it detects other vehicles in a 25-meter range. So, whether the other truck is circulating in the “blind spot” of a curve, or whether it’s on the other side of an automatic gate, the CAS-G2 system will alert the driver so that he or she is aware of the presence of another vehicle is in its vicinity and thus use the appropriate caution.

It works as an extension of the PAS system which, must be requested from the factory. A PAS activator AC-50 is placed on the forklifts so that they can detect each other. When a forklift detects another one in its safety zone, the system alerts the driver of the imminent risk. The system also allows for some variations in the configuration – for instance, it is possible to make the truck slow down when it detects the presence of another vehicle in their immediate vicinity.

What are benefits of the CAS-G2 system for you?

First and foremost, the safety of your workers. By dramatically reducing collisions in heavy traffic areas and in areas of poor visibility, the risk of accidents decreases. The design of the CAS-G2 solution also allows the driver to notice immediately when another truck is in the same area of ​​work, warning him or her of a possible collision.

Not only that – the CAS-G2 system also delivers increased productivity as forklift drivers can focus on their work without having to worry about their safety. Thus, not only will you achieve a higher level of efficiency, you will also notice a significant reduction in the stress levels of your workers.

What are the main areas of application of this solution?

As we mentioned above, the CAS-G2 system is ideally suited to areas with heavy forklift traffic and low driver visibility. For instance, in:

• Docks
• Goods’ loading and unloading areas
• Store aisles’ exits
  
  

The CAS-G2 system is also very useful in places where large forklifts coexist with smaller trucks.


If you are keen to find out more about this system or would like further information about any of our products, don’t hesitate to contact us.