Modular safety solutions in practice

From machine guards and mesh wall systems to cable management systems, the Swedish company Axelent is a trusted partner in safety for many companies. This is evident in the NMBS workshop in Mechelen, where Axelent and the railroad company have successfully worked together for many years.

For the supply and installation of safety and infrastructure solutions in the Mechelen NMBS workshop, Axelent was again chosen as a trusted partner. "We have been working with NMBS for several years," says Tim Van Gestel, Key Account Manager at Axelent. "In the past, we have carried out several successful projects for this railroad company. Thanks to our long-term relationship and proven track record, Axelent was again asked to supply safety and infrastructure products for the NMBS workplaces."

Proven track record

Why did SNCB choose Axelent's products and services? Van Gestel explains: "The quality of our products obviously played a major role. Axelent is known for its high-quality and durable safety solutions, which are perfectly suited to the demanding environment of railroad workshops. Our reliability was also crucial: we have a proven track record of delivering high-quality products and services, which is essential for continuous operational efficiency. Another important element is innovation, with products such as the X-Guard machine guards and X-Protect collision guards, which increase safety without reducing efficiency. And finally, the positive experiences from previous projects made the difference."

Specific safety solutions

In the Mechelen SNCB workshop, the Axelent team installed specific safety solutions. "With the X-Protect collision protection system, we provide protection against damage from vehicles and machines," Van Gestel explains. "The X-Tray cable trays are indispensable for safely organizing and protecting cables, which helps prevent accidents and breakdowns. In addition, we supplied X-Guard modular machine guards, which ensure safety around the high-voltage test cells."

Technical challenges

When installing the safety applications, the Axelent team encountered some technical challenges. "The X-Protect guards had to be placed with extreme precision so as not to impede the flow in the workspace," Van Gestel says. "The X-Tray cable trays had to be adapted to the specific infrastructure of the workshop, such as height differences and obstacles. And the X-Guard machine guards had to be optimally integrated into the workspace, including special access doors and emergency exits." 

Unique strengths per application

What does Van Gestel see as the main strength of each application? "With X-Protect, we offer SNCB and other customers an installation that is flexibly expandable and integrates seamlessly with existing systems. X-Tray combines perfectly with Axelent's X-Guard machine protection and can be easily assembled with standard tools, without sacrificing quality. X-Guard complies with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and offers extensive options and accessories that meet the highest safety standards and operational requirements."

Proud of final result

Van Gestel and his colleagues at Axelent are proud of the final result in the Mechelen NMBS workshop. "Thanks to our solutions, the customer has a safe working space for staff, visitors and materials," he says. "In total, we supplied 620 components, excluding fasteners. With 40 meters of collision protection, 130 meters of cable trays and 87 meters of fencing spread over an area of approximately 220 m², this was an ambitious safety project that we successfully completed!"