Safety and infrastructure products for Mechelen SNCB workshop

Earlier this year, we wrote about the wide range of safety solutions offered by Axelent. From machine guards and mesh wall systems to cable management systems, the Swedish market player is a trusted safety partner for numerous (logistics) companies. You can see what this looks like in practice at the NMBS workshop in Mechelen, Belgium. Thanks to years of cooperation and mutual trust between the railroad company and Axelent.

For the delivery and installation of safety and infrastructure solutions in the Mechelen NMBS workshop, Axelent emerged (once again) as a trusted partner. "The cooperation with NMBS has been ongoing for several years," said Tim Van Gestel, key account manager at Axelent. "In the past, we completed several successful projects for this client. Thanks to this long-term relationship and proven track record, Axelent was approached again to supply safety and infrastructure products for the workplaces of NMBS."

Proven track record

Why did SNCB choose Axelent's products and services? Van Gestel explains, "The quality of our products was obviously one of the deciding factors. Axelent is known for its high-quality and durable safety solutions, essential for the demanding environment of railroad workshops. Our reliability was also a decisive factor: we have a proven track record in providing reliable products and services, which is crucial for continuous operational efficiency. Another important element is innovation, where with X-Guard machine guards and X-Protect collision guards, among others, we offer innovative solutions that increase safety without reducing efficiency. And finally, there were the positive past experiences during previous projects."

Specific safety solutions

In the Mechelen NMBS workshop, the Axelent team came into action to install specific safety solutions. Van Gestel: "With the X-Protect crash protection system, we guarantee protection against damage from vehicles and machines. X-Tray cable trays are indispensable for safely organizing and protecting cables, which is crucial for preventing accidents and breakdowns. Finally, we also supplied X-Guard modular machine guards that ensure safety around the high-voltage test cells."

Technical challenges

When installing each of these safety applications, there were some technical challenges that the Axelent team had to consider. "The placement of the X-Protect guards had to be as precise as possible so as not to impede flow in the workspace," Van Gestel points out. "When installing the X-Tray cable trays, they had to be adapted to the specific infrastructure of the workshop, including height differences and other obstacles. And The X-Guard machine fencing had to be maximally integrated into the workspace, including the installation of special access doors and emergency exit doors."

Unique strengths per application

What main pluses does Van Gestel see for each application used? "With X-Protect, we offer SNCB and other customers the opportunity to combine easy installation with flexible expansion options and seamless integration with existing systems. In turn, X-Tray is perfectly suited to integrate with Axelent's X-Guard machine guard, while assembly is also possible simply with standard tools without sacrificing quality. And X-Guard complies with the 2006/42/EC Machinery Directive, with extensive options and accessories to meet the most demanding safety standards and operational needs."

Proud of final result

Van Gestel and his Axelent colleagues are proud of the final result in the Mechelen SNCB workshop. "Thanks to our solutions, the customer has a safe workspace for staff, visitors and materials," he confirms. "In total, we supplied 620 components, excluding fasteners. With 40 running meters of collision protection, 130 running meters of cable trays and 87 meters of fencing - spread over an area of about 220 square meters - this was an ambitious safety project that we finished successfully!"