Siemens SIMATIC RTLS for Social Distancing

Siemens SIMATIC Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS)

In the new “normal” of social distancing, plant safety takes on a whole new meaning. Many facilities that have been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are looking to cautiously reopen within the next weeks or months. What are the challenges that manufacturing facilities will face in the near future?

  • Employee Safety = keep workers safe, maintain 6 feet of distance whenever possible and implement workplace contact tracing procedures.
  • Restarting Production = required production line changes and modified shift change procedures to optimize production.
  • Making Smart Investments = address COVID-19 recovery and provide future benefits; utilize new data with digital tools for future safety/ production improvements.

The Steiner Automation & Controls team can help you review and adopt the right technology to help you adapt and react quickly to new workplace safeguarding guidelines.

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SIMATIC Real Time Locating Systems Features

Location Tracking as Personal Protective Equipment

  • Employee wearable RTLS transponders allow distances to be determined and ensure employees are maintaining safe social distancing.
  • RTLS monitoring software creates a history of employee movements.
  • RTLS verifies if a trained person is at the correct workstation.
  • RTLS location information allows employee movements to be analyzed and optimized; if an employee becomes sick, their past interactions can be reviewed, and actions can be taken.
Siemens SIMATIC RTLS Simulation with Gateways and Transponder
Easy Installation
  • A battery powered transponder communicates wirelessly with Gateways
  • The exact location of the transponder is calculated by triangulation
  • Accuracy down to 1 foot
  • Fully scalable, allowing for large coverage
Gateways

Siemens SIMATIC RTLS Gateway

Gateways record the transponder signals, give them a fixed position and time stamp, and pass on the bundled data to a higher-level locating server. With at least three mutually synchronized gateways, the transponder can be located in 3D with accuracy measured in centimeters or inches.

 

Transponders

Siemens SIMATIC RTLS Transponders

Transponders are fitted to workpieces, robots, vehicles, personnel etc., and transmit a wireless signal at defined intervals. They can also be equipped with data interfaces and transmit location details directly to the local control system or make additional sensor data available to higher-level systems.

 

Locating Manager

Siemens SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager

The Locating Manager is a software system that calculates the real-time position of the individual transponders and passes the details on to the higher- level systems via defined interfaces.

 

 
For more info on SIMATIC RTLS call 1-800-STEINER (783-4637) to speak with a Steiner Automation & Controls application engineer.

You may also submit the form below to request more information.

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