Servelec Group Regulatory News (SERV)

9 May 2006 10:45

Servocell Group PLC09 May 2006 Castell and Servocell Couple for Logistics Industry's First Interlocking Drive-Away Prevention System First door interlocking solution specifically designed for manually-operated warehouse loading bay doors Castell Safety International, leading UK manufacturer of Safety InterlockingSystems, has launched the industry's first door interlocking solutionspecifically designed for manually-operated warehouse loading bay doors. Theadvanced drive-away prevention system - preventing the unauthorised movement ofan articulated trailer during the loading or unloading of goods at a loading bay- incorporates Servocell's low-power Active Latch technology. The new system andits potential applications within the logistics industry will improve safetyprocedures throughout the warehouse. A number of high profile accidents and near misses occur every year in thelogistics industry. Typical accidents include trailers being driven away fromloading bays before the loading/unloading process has been completed. Theconsequence of such actions can result in loaders falling through the gapbetween the loading bay and the back of the vehicle which can result in severe,if not fatal, accidents. With ever-increasing penalties for health and safety regulations, the stakes arehigh for warehouse managers to ensure that safety measures are put in place thatwill ensure users' safety as well as improve warehouse efficiency. The new'Salvo' solution combines Castell's Salvo Susie air brake locks with its newkeyless door interlock, Gallant -the product having been designed withServocell's Active Latch technology. The system forces operators and drivers tocarry out tasks prior to the loading process beginning and so removing theopportunity for human error in the safety procedures. It operates through a trapped-key methodology where operators can only everundertake one action at a time, and only if the previous action is in the rightstate. For example: once a trailer is in position against the loading doors ofthe warehouse, its air brakes are disconnected to prevent the lorry being moveduntil the loading/unloading process is properly completed. The Castell SalvoSusie is locked in place on the airline coupling, to ensure that the trailercannot be moved, at which point the key is released. The operative is then ableto insert the key into Castell's control box adjacent to the bay door. Thisactivates the Gallant - an Active Latch-enabled, lock mounted on the door. Onlywhen the lock is activated can the loading bay doors be opened for loading/unloading to begin. Once the process has been completed, the doors locked andthe key removed from the control box, drivers are then able to unlock theairline coupling in order to reconnect the brakes and move their vehicle. "The trapped-key methodology is many years old, but Servocell's Active Latch hasopened the doors to a wide range of new opportunities," explained David Milner,Managing Director of Castell. "It has allowed us to design and deliver to ourcustomers an interlock solution that is highly cost-effective to install as wellas increasing the safety levels throughout a plant. Using Servocell's technologywe are able to produce products that are smaller, with low energy consumptionand which will enable us to integrate our interlocking solutions with thecomplete monitoring system of the warehouse." "Castell has been extremely visionary in applying our Active Latch technology toits safety solutions," said Simon Powell, CEO of Servocell. "It is extremelycommitted to improving the safety of warehouse procedures and its newinterlocking system is going to be of particular importance to companies withmany different sites in operation. We see the interlocking market as a growthindustry and Castell's innovation is demonstrating a vision of the future,particularly when new functions such as audit trail are added to the mix." The new keyless door interlock solution can be used in a variety of otherwarehouse bay door applications. Suitable for applications world-wide, thesystem will be of particular relevance to the US and Asian market where themajority of warehouse doors are operated manually rather than electronically. Note to editors: About Castell Castell (www.castell.com) has been established in the safety industry since 1922when it was founded by inventor James Harry Castell. It offers unrivalledexperience in trapped key interlocking solutions with products that not onlymeet legislation but also provide the safest environments possible. Castell's trapped key interlocks are used to achieve the required level ofsafety on numerous types of machinery in a wide range of industries. About Servocell Servocell (www.servocell.com) specialises in actuator mechanisms based on piezotechnology for security, access control and valve applications, allowing OEMs todevelop more commercially competitive products that are faster, smaller andlonger lasting. The applications range from more reliable locks to gas valves inthe 'smart' home. Advantages of the technology are much lower power consumption,long life and potential for lower lifetime costs. Complete modules, such as theActive Latch, speed product development for OEMs in all industries. About Active Latch The Active Latch is a powerful and innovative alternative to traditionalsolenoid-driven and motorised release mechanisms. At the heart of its mechanismsare its patented piezo-ceramic actuators, providing an unrivalled combination ofmovement and force. Servocell's Active Latch technology can be used as theprincipal component of any lock to replace cylinders and motor apparatus.Reliability is ensured with 1M operations and the low power consumption meansyears between battery changes. For further information, please contact For Servocell: Gillie TennantMahseer Ltd+44 (0)7795 034 068 gillie@digit4.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange