TECHNOLOGY
Rope access and drone technology combo
The trend to use drone technology in conjunction with rope access is anticipated to make an impact on the industry in 2018 .
Drone technology will allow for safe visual inspection of potentially dangerous confined spaces and difficult-to-reach indoor environments , with minimum downtime and maximum costeffectiveness , comments Skyriders Access Specialists ’ marketing manager , Mike Zinn . In addition to the adoption of new technology , Zinn reveals that Skyriders has purchased — and is already using — the Elios collision-tolerant drone . An additional unit is in the pipeline , as the company also plans to expand its boilermaking and welding service offering . “ Often maintenance work on large industrial sites is carried out by multiple contractors : one to provide access ( scaffolding , as an example ); one to inspect and issue the scope of the work ; and then one to conduct the actual maintenance , such as repairs and painting . With rope access , we provide our own access to inspect , and then carry out , whatever maintenance and repairs are needed — a true turnkey solution ,” Zinn comments . The access specialist continued to diversify in 2017 , successfully undertaking major new projects , such as essential maintenance work on the 237m-tall Sentech Tower in Johannesburg , known originally as the Brixton Tower . A first for Skyriders , the project opens the door for future collaboration with signal distribution services company Sentech , which has similar structures countrywide , as far afield as Kimberley and Thabazimbi . “ The Sentech Tower project , as well as a few difficult facilities management projects , showcased the out-of-the-box lateral thinking of our team , making these potentially costly projects that much more affordable and safer for all involved ,” Zinn elaborates . nn
Skyriders
Footage from the Elios drone deployed during bolting inspection , accessing hard-to-reach areas .
The Drive
Sources Construction Technology Trends – 2018 Report — https :// softwareconnect . com / construction / technology-trends-2018-report / Wearable technology could save lives and dollars in construction industry — http :// www . post-gazette . com / business / tech-news / 2017 / 06 / 12 / Wearabletechnology-construction-industry / stories / 201706040035 How wearables could disrupt workplace safety — http :// www . ehstoday . com / ppe / how-wearables-could-disrupt-workplace-safety How technology is improving construction site safety — https :// www . constructconnect . com / blog / construction-technology / how-technology-is-improving-constructionsites-safety / This augmented reality helmet could revolutionize the construction site — https :// archinect . com / features / article / 146286029 / this-augmented-realityhelmet-could-revolutionize-the-construction-site
Line worker with upper-body exoskeleton , part of a conscious effort on Ford ’ s part to reduce the physical toll on employees during the manufacturing process .
CEC March 2018 - 23