Director’smessage
SpringingForward with Xwatch SafetySolutions: GroundbreakingCollaborations, Award Nominations,andExpandingPartnerships
Springhasfinallyarrived,andas the daysgrowlongerand warmer, we arethrilled to share some fantasticnewswithyouall. Businessisbooming at Xwatch SafetySolutions,and we haveexciting developmentsandcollaborations to announce!
Firstandforemost,ourrecentcollaboration with Leicaonthegroundbreaking 3D avoidance system isset to be a game-changerintheindustry We areeagerlyanticipatingits UK launchat Plantworx, where we willshowcasetheinnovativetechnologythatpromises to revolutionisesafety andefficiencyonjobsites.
We arealsothrilled to announcethatour‘PitchandRoll’ system, developedinpartnershipwith ExplorePlantandTrackunit, hasbeenshortlistedfor a prestigiousPlantworxInnovation Award We are incrediblyproudofourteam'shardworkanddedication,and we lookforward to theresults withbatedbreath
In otherexcitingnews,MurphyPlanthasmandatedtheuseof Xwatch SafetySolutionsacrossits entireexcavatorfleet,reflectingthegrowingconfidenceinourproductsandcommitment to safety.
Our R&D departmentremainshardatwork,andwe'reanticipatingtheannouncementof a newrail productinthenearfuture Staytunedfor more details!
We wouldlike to extendourheartfeltgratitude to all of ourdistributors,dealers,andcustomers worldwide. Yoursupportandtrustinourproductsarewhatdriveus to continueinnovatingand pushingboundaries.
Don'tforget to mark yourcalendars for thePlantworxeventtakingplacefrom13thto 15th June 2023at the East ofEngland Arena inPeterborough. We can'twait to seemanyofyouthereand shareourlatestdevelopmentswithyouinperson
Wishingyou a brightandprosperous springseason!
Issue 4
Spring 2023
The NEW Xwatch SS3 Pile Monitor
An industry first from Explore Plant and Transport Solutions, Xwatch Safety Solutions and Trackunit
Kindregards
DanielLeaney Sales & OperationsDirector Xwatch SafetySolutionsThomas Plant Hire choose Xwatch as its preferred safety supplier
Game-changing innovative 3D collision safety solution integration will make UK debut at Plantworx
Leica Geosystems part of Hexagon announce ‘game-changing’ innovative 3D collision safety solution integration with Xwatch Safety Solutions.
Automatic height, depth and slew hydraulic control for excavators to protect both concealed and visible heavy construction assets and infrastructure
Leica Geosystems and Xwatch Safety Solutions have jointly developed a new solution to safeguard construction assets and infrastructure on site. The two systems are connected together by a Can bus communication channel to create one of the world's first solutions for safety and productivity in a 3D world.
This system is unique to Xwatch and Leica. The revolutionary combined solution will allow users to create or import 3D avoidance zones above and below the surface area, directly within the Leica MC1 machine control software.
The operator can quickly create or import avoidance zones in the in-cabin Leica MCP80 panel, which will then trigger the hydraulic functions of the excavator to slow down or even entirely stop once approaching these danger zones.
https://youtu.be/HeotwxT-o8A
It’s also very easy to use for the operator and has the ability to ‘kill’ the motion of the machine’s tracks so it cannot breach environmental sites, power cables, drainage.
Other critical avoidance areas include overhead obstructions such as powerlines, underground services, and operations in close proximity to pedestrian walkways, live carriageways and public roads.
This new solution not only improves safety for construction workers and pedestrians around busy work sites, but also protects existing and newly built infrastructure. In addition the system safeguards construction assets where if interrupted, has a significant potential for generating extra costs and delays.
“The underground avoidance system enables control and safe excavation around services for power, gas, water and other potentially hazardous products buried beneath the surface.”
This solution is made possible by combining the state-of-the-art Leica MC1 machine control software and the top- of-the-line XW5 Series from Xwatch Safety solutions. https://youtu.be/k3MOerW-Rpc
Make sure you register to visit Plantworx (13th- 15th June 2023, East of England Arena Peterborough) where this new system will be making its UK debut on the Xwatch stand (Stand: C-PA3 & C-PA4) – where it will be in full action.
Murphy Plant mandates Xwatch Safety Solutions on its excavator fleet moving forwards
Murphy Plant, a leading UK provider of plant, transport, and equipment, will now mandate Xwatch Safety Solutions on its new excavator fleet. With over £100 million worth of assets, Murphy Plant emphasizes safety and innovation Managing director Brendan Sugrue praised the Xwatch XW5 system for its reliability, simplicity, and advanced safety features compared to competitors. The company recently invested £4 million in new Komatsu machines, all equipped with the XW5 system.
The system was recommended for its reliability and simplicity - Brendan reported, “I was genuinely blown away by the system. It was simple to use and there are far more safety features than other products in the market - a lot of innovation has gone into producing the XW5.”
Xwatch also offers onsite training for operators, ensuring proper use of the system. The XW5's lifting beacon provides a simple visual indicator of whether the operator is following the correct protocol Xwatch's sales and operations director, Dan Leaney, expressed gratitude for Murphy's business and anticipates a successful partnership.
Murphy Plant values digital transformation and uses the MachineMax telematics equipment management platform to analyze data from its fleet for various purposes, including boosting efficiency and reducing emissions. MachineMax can consolidate data from multiple sources, including the Xwatch systems, streamlining fuel efficiency, safety, and vehicle maintenance in real-time.
An industry first from Explore Plant and Transport Solutions, Xwatch Safety Solutions and Trackunit
Xwatch ‘pitch and roll’ warning system with combined Trackunit telematics for HS2 cabbed dumpers shortlisted for Plantworx 2023 Innovation Award in the Safety Category
Xwatch Safety Systems, Trackunit and Explore Plant, have collaborated and designed and developed an industry first with the Xwatch Simple Safe Two Series Roll Over Monitor, which is connected to Trackunit’s telematic system.
Dan explained, “The Xwatch system monitors the driving style of the operator and gives an early alert to the operator via the Trackunit telematics of a potential pitch and roll over situation. The system tells the operator when he/she is reaching the manufacturers published limits. In the event of a roll over the Xwatch system will stop the engine, preventing further operation of the machine, which eliminates engine damage and other potential hazards on site. The Trackunit telematic system is able to send real-time reports of this event”.
The team agreed that adding the Trackunit telemetry to analyse these events and use the evidence to adapt the technology is where further progressions can be made.
Trackunit’s Ryan Pike said, “Matching the machine data with the SS2 data in the Trackunit platform and enabling early warning alerts has given Explore and HS2 to ability to engage on safety events in a proactive, rather than reactive manner.”
Chris commented on the collaboration, “At Explore, safety is the driving factor in our decisions. The system that we have developed in partnership with Xwatch and Trackunit is a simple solution to a common problem on sites across the UK, and ultimately works to mitigate the likelihood of a rollover situation before it has a chance to occur.”
The NEW Xwatch SS3 Pile Monitor
The Xwatch engineeringteamhasdevelopedaninnovativesafety system fortheconstructionequipment sectorwith the launchof the new SS3 PileMonitor Theteam,knownfortheirout-of -the-boxthinking, designedthe SS3 MonitorforPilingMachinesusing a CR0452programmablegraphicdisplayforcontrolling mobilemachinesas a stand-aloneproduct.
Jemma Dycer-Hopkins, the Business Development Manager of Xwatch Safety Solutions UK, discovered the prototype on a shelf and saw its potential. After identifying a potential customer, she contacted James Kay, owner and technical engineer at Kaymech Solutions Ltd, who agreed to trial the system on Zublin's piling machine in October last year, on the Hull A63 scheme, part of Highways England’s £355m A63 Castle Street scheme.
The systemhas been in usesince its installation date, and therehavebeenzerodefectsreported. Impressed by its performance,JamesKayand Zublin haveordered a secondsystem, whichis now installed on another piling machine on the sameproject. Contractor Balfour Beatty is alsoimpressed by the SS3 PileMonitor andhasendorsed its use.
The SS3 PileMonitor is a no-nonsense system consisting of a colourLCDdisplaymountedattheoperatorstation or withintheequipmentcab. TheDual-axis MEMS angle sensorismounted on themastorattachment,withall controlsmanagedviadisplaypushbuttons The system can monitoranypilingmastangle,andtelematicscanbe added.
The SS3 controlmodulesamplesangledata250times a second,providingprecisecontrol Componentsaresupplied by a leading-edgeGermanmanufacturerwith a 50-year trackrecordinindustrialcontrol,ensuringreliabilityand longevity. The system ismaintenance-free,exceptfor occasionalvisualinspection,withmajorcomponents carrying a five-yearguarantee,excludingmisuseand physicaldamage.
Xwatch'sinnovativeandforward-thinkingapproachhasled to thedevelopmentofthe SS3 PileMonitor,providing a safetysolutionfortheconstructionequipmentsectorthat hasbeenendorsedbycontractorsandcustomers.
A trip down memory lane…
UK’s first Kobelco semi-automatic excavator has the X Factor!
In September2021 - Xwatch installed its XW4 height & slew restrictorsystem to PlantforceRentalsstate of the art Kobelco SK210LC, which was fitted with Leicasemi- automatic GPS machine controland an SMPST22 tilt rotator – which wasthen a UK first.
Thesoftwareplatform MC1 offers a commoninterface for allLeicaGeosystemsmachinecontrolsolutions. The newsemi-automaticfunctionalityforLeica iXE3 excavatormachinecontrolsolutionshelptheoperatorby automatingthemovementoftheboom,bucket,tiltbucketandtiltrotatorfunctionswhichmakestheoperator’s work more simple.
Thisunique system automaticallycontrolsboom,bucketangle,tiltangle,androtationangleprecisely to the construction surface with justonesinglemovementofthecontrollever. What’s of particular note,with the current skillsgap,is that the all-in-one machinecontrol system is easy to use and works well even for lessskilledoperators.
Plantforceapproached Xwatch to install its XW4 height and slew limiter toits already technologically advanced Kobelco SK10LC, to ensure the machine was fullycompliant for major infrastructureprojects.
The XW4 monitors a machinesheightandslewmovementandhasbeen designed to accuratelyrestrictmovementusing‘feathertouch’proportional hydrauliccontrol.An operatorcanmanagethemachine’sheightandbothleft andrightslewparameterswhichensurestheoperatorandmachinesafety alsotheenvironmentaroundthemachines The Xwatchsystem canbe retrofitted to anymakeorclassofexcavator.Xwatch isalsotheonly solution withNetworkRailProductAcceptanceApproval.
Plantforce’sthen digital manager, now editor atAwesomeEarthmover’s magazine Dale Hawkins said, “We havepreferredpartners whowe choose to workwith and Xwatch fallsintothis category – the synergy between our two organisations worksvery well. Thiscombinedwith a reliable,easy to usesystemandanexcellentaftersalesservice iswhy we have the confidence in Xwatch products to enhance our commitment to safety.”
Since 2021Xwatch has now installed in the regionof 300 plus XW4 and XW5’s Plantforceand the Molson Group’s fleet ofKobelco excavators”.
Xwatch – disruptive safety protection
Synergy
SynergyHire,headquarteredinLetchworthinHertfordshire,boastanimpressivefleetofin excess of900 Hitachiwheeledandcrawlerexcavators,rangingin size from 3t to over50t.
Earthmovers magazine editor Graham Black recently visited the Sittingbourne depot of Synergy Hire, an Xwatch customer. Xwatch is a machine safety system that includes height and slew limiters, which has disrupted the international market for such systems. The system is costeffective, easy to use, and features a rated capacity indicator (RCI). The demand for hire excavators equipped with height and slew limiters is driven by the need to prevent the risk of slewing into an adjacent lane and for use when working under bridges or other overhead obstructions. Xwatch's strategy is to source top-end industrial components, all of which come with a five-year warranty. The system's software is key to its success, with a mini CanBus network linking all Xwatch components, making the system easily expandable
SynergyHirewasanearlyadopterof the Xwatchsystem, impressedbythe system's ease of use.Xwatch designedthe system witheaseofuseinmind,notas a mere marketingploy,but to encourageoperators to useiteffectively. The Xwatchsystem's heartisproportionalcontroloftheexcavator'srelevanthydraulic circuits.As thelimitisapproached,themovementslowsdown,followedby a softstop,avoiding a sudden halt.
The Xwatch system'shardwarefeatures TFT displaysandcontrollerssourcedfromtriedandtrustedGerman electronicsmanufacturers. Compactanglesensorsfeature a gyro,eliminatingtheneedforvulnerable mechanicallinkages to measuretheworkingequipment'sposition. Hitachi UK fitted an Xwatch slewand heightlimiting system to a 135US excavatorinSynergy'syard.
Xwatch'sconnectivity is a significantadvantage,as it enablesthe system to beeasilyexpandable For example,the system canbetriggeredbyinputsfrom anti-collision systems, RFID personalwarning systems, andthelatestgenerationof smart cameras,providing a datafeedofworkingequipmentandslewpositionsinto a machineguidance system.
Overall,Blackfoundthe Xwatch heightandslewlimiting system incrediblyeasy to useandwasimpressedby thetechnology. He commentedthat Xwatch isBritish technologyatitsbest,andheseesthepotentialforthe system to befurtherexpandedinthefuture.
Thomas Plant Hire choose Xwatch as its preferred safety supplier
Thomas Plant Hire, founded by MD Wyn Thomas in 1998 as a contracting business in Holywell in North Wales, has grown over the years and now boasts a fleet of over 3000 machines, including excavators ranging from 1.5 tonne up to 50 tonne. The company is also investing heavily in new plant and machinery, having spent around £50m in 2022 and planning to invest a similar amount in 2023. In addition to its plant hire services, Thomas Plant also offers Intelligent GPS Machine Control systems through its OnGrade Machine Control division, providing training, sales, and hire for Leica, Topcon, and Trimble equipment.
Safety is a priority for Thomas Plant Hire, and the company has installed 65 Xwatch systems on excavators, with more on order to future-proof its fleet.
Xwatch systems have Network Rail approval, which is valuable for Thomas Plant as it allows them to operate on Network Rail projects. Gareth James, owner of Xwatch partner GJ Plant and Auto Electrics and sister company Fitzgerald Plant Services, has installed 13 Xwatch systems for Thomas Plant in the last two weeks alone. Thomas Plant chose Xwatch for their innovation and ambition in developing safety systems and their simple interface for operators.
The company has no plans to slow down its growth, with seven other Thomas Plant divisions and more investments planned for the future. Managing director, Wyn Thomas, stated that the company prefers to work with companies with a similar forward-thinking and progressive approach, making Xwatch their preferred supplier of safety systems.
Jemma Dycer-Hopkins, UK business development manager for Xwatch Safety Solutions, expressed the company's pleasure in working with Thomas Plant and its fantastic team and looks forward to continuing their working relationship and meeting their safety requirements.
