Is labor shortage affecting you?

Labor shortage is a major problem for many companies in different sectors. Construction and transport are 2 of the sectors where the shortage is drastic. The lack of labor is a growth constraint. Several companies refuse orders or delay delivery. In order to deal with these ramifications, businesses have no choice but to find solutions.

Process Automation

Automation consists of systemizing operation which require human intervention. It assists man by alleviating any simple and repetitive tasks requiring precision and rigor.

The objective is simple: it increases your company’s productivity by freeing up precious time for your workers.

Example of tasks/Tools where automation applies

Routine tasks:

Several routine tasks that are carried out by construction workers, particularly maintenance of equipment, can easily be automated:

• Automatic lubrication

Have you ever asked yourself, how much time in a day does it take an operator to grease his equipment? Installation of an automatic greasing system will bring significant savings in time, as the system functions while the vehicle is working.

It also maximizes performance by eliminating wasted time, due to stopping for maintenance and repair.

• Tire-sealant, puncture free

Punctures can be costly, by causing delays, which affect productivity. Using a puncture free product, eliminates this inconvenience by sealing punctures the moment it happens. This reduces disruption and eliminates the shortfall.

Precision work:

Certain tools help to perform tasks quicker while improving the workflow. Working quickly and efficiently saves time!

• Weighing system for chargers and other equipment

A weighing system is actually a controlling device which calculates the bulk material weight transported by a loader (or other equipment). Regardless of where the loading takes place, the weighing system is always available. Installation of a weighing system enables to achieve optimized loading and avoids overloading and loss of time.

Security tools:

Security systems can further improve the process. Production stoppage due to an incident, equipment failure or a work accident can lead to a major waste of time and loss of money.  

• Backup cameras

A camera system can eliminate blind spots for the driver. This is a valuable tool to help create awareness for the driver. Increasing visibility in the work zone and allowing the operator to be more productive.

• Range limiting device

A range limiting device eliminates the risk of contact between the excavator and surrounding obstacles. The device facilitates monitoring of the work environment and eliminates human error, responsible for several serious and fatal accidents.

• Security system for dump trucks

Conceived to help the driver be more vigilant. This system helps avoid embarrassing situations such as, striking a viaduct or electrical wiring. The consequences can be very expensive in both time and money (halting of the service unit, maintenance, CSST investigation, etc.). 

• Pedestrian and obstacle detection system 

A detection system helps prevent collisions between construction equipment and pedestrians. This will reduce the operating equipment costs by warning the driver of an obstacle that could cause damage thanks to a camera that recognizes and detects obstacles. It also helps improve productivity on your work site by allowing the driver to monitor hidden areas without turning, thanks to a screen located in the cab. 

Process automation

Several other production tools are also available to automate your equipment / your procedures. Automation will not completely eliminate labor shortage. However, it will maximize the full potential of your current workforce.

Assigning your staff to specific tasks is a good starting point to increase productivity!

Since the summer, have you changed your grease to a more fluid lubricant?

If it hasn’t already been done, don’t wait until the last minute to change your grease. Cold weather is right around the corner!

Grease is the key element to your lubrication system.

The type of grease chosen is particularly important to keep the system running and will impact the efficiency. Thick grease can cause several problems when temperatures are very cold.

Pumpability of a more fluid grease (EP-0) compared to thicker grease (EP-2) in winter, will help your system work at lower pressure and will help achieve optimal performance.

Below 0°C, EP-2 grease will be very difficult to pump in an automatic greasing system. For example, even though it is indicated on the EP-2 tube that it is pumpable up to -10°C, the grease will not be able to move in the automatic greasing system because of the internal width of the hoses and distribution valves which create restriction. Therefore, reduce the viscosity of the grease to get the optimal performance you need.

Should you still use a thicker grease in the winter, use a synthetic grease instead of a mineral grease. We recommend EP-1 synthetic grease or EP-0 mineral grease in all areas below 48th parallel, as well as temperatures up to -40°C. After that, you will have to downgrade or use full synthetic or more fluid grease.  

Characteristics

After analyzing the working conditions of your automatic greasing system, here are the recommendations concerning the choice of the grease to use. 

Mixing different types of grease may damage your system.

Before changing your grease, make sure the new grease is compatible with the current grease.

Procedures to bleed your system

In order to avoid mixing greases, it is strongly advised to bleed your system. The Alltech Group proposes you a grease replacement procedures in order to avoid damaging your system.

Information and Recommendation about greases

To view our online guide to greases:

First big snowfall of the season across southern Quebec!

The industrial and commercial snow removal is a market increasingly specialized, where companies seek to stand out by finding performance tools for their equipment. 

Laserline - The safer way to plow!

The laser spot impacts on the road/snow surface ahead of the truck and shows the driver where the wing plow trailing edge will be.

The laser reference spot is on the road and in the driver’s normal field of view. Driving conditions using the laser; the worse it gets, the better it works!  The GL3000PMC Guidance Laser uses an “ultra-bright” green laser to establish wing plow trailing edge location before you get there.

It is electronically designed for cold weather operation.

This laser is coupled to a special heat source for the exit window to reduce or eliminate ice build-up on the front of the laser output lens. The GL3000PMC also has a unique pneumatic snow removal system incorporated with the laser housing that automatically fires a blast of air at the front of the laser lens every 5 seconds. This removes snow build-up from the laser output lens.

The laser guidance system cuts damage caused by plow strikes by 80 to 100% and the high cost associated with it. 

For more information about LASERLINE

BLAXTAIR: A market standard for smart vision  

Design for construction and handling machinery

• Detecting obstacles (3D camera)
• Detecting pedestrians (Artificial intelligence (AI) / Machine learning) 
• Warning and/or stopping the vehicle 

A unique value proposition

• SAFETY - Saving lives 
• PRODUCTIVITY - Optimising work 
• ROBUSTNESS - Industrial design 

An industry reference for safety solutions 

Blaxtair components

The anti collision system industry reference for pedestrian detection 

For challenging industrial environments

Material handling equipment:

Construction equipment:

Powerful algorithms for data processing

To enable real time detection of pedestrians

3D Classification based on:  

• 3D images are generated by the stereo camera
• Algorithms of Machine learning 
• A proprietary database 

The intelligent detection warns machinery drivers in real time

BLAXTAIR, IN SUMMARY: 

• Improve safety 

• Avoid unnecessary alarms 

• Record video of incidents 

For more information about Blaxtair products: