Recognising a pressing need for improved and comprehensive safety systems in the meat processing sector, Auckland-based innovators, kanDO Innovation founded Guardian Bandsaw in 2015.
With its history of developing vision detection systems coupled with the experience of building rugged, robust solutions for an industry such as this, Guardian Bandsaw was formed based on superior expertise by engineers with years of experience in the meat industry.
Fast forward to just two years later and Guardian Bandsaw offers the most advanced safety system on the market! Recognising that software does not operate in isolation, the team at Guardian Bandsaw designed a new, hi-tech bandsaw from the ground up as an advanced solution to old-fashioned bandsaws.
The state-of-the-art Guardian Bandsaw today offers customers complete peace-of-mind with real-time feedback and a host of industry-first benefits such as; a unique 3D vision system which incorporates a protection zone around the blade, higher speed of vision and braking systems, no damage to the blade during braking, automatic tensioning of the blade for blade changes and after braking events, an automatic safety check prior to operation, video capturing of trip events and E-stops for review which helps improve productivity, e-mail alerts when trips occur and much more!
Answering to the call of Industry 4.0, Guardian Bandsaw looked to suppliers such as SMC to advance its already sophisticated system. Keith Blenkinsopp, Director of Guardian Bandsaw was intrigued by SMC’s offerings and had previously worked with the pneumatics company on a project for kanDO Innovation. Keith now looked to SMC to for the latest technology to ensure efficient control of its pneumatic technology. “At Guardian Bandsaw we are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiencies and deliver on the best possible technology out there.”
“Based on our requirements, SMC recommended a perfectly suited solution and offered us a unit for trial purposes which met our expectations without a glitch” explains Keith.
On the other side of the spectrum, SMC looked to Guardian Bandsaw as its perfect partner in automation with SMC focused largely on the meat processing sector in ANZ. SMC Branch Manager for New Zealand, Peter Wilson elaborates on the collaboration: “In listening to Keith’s requirements, the brief was to offer a compact tidy and efficient system to control the pneumatic requirements of the machine, thus we recommended SMC’s EX260 Ethernet module mounted on our SY3000 series Valve Manifold”.
SMC’s sleek SY series of unique, all-purpose valve manifold offers next level flexibility, improved space savings of 29%, increased flow rates of up to 1500 litres and greater cost savings while boasting up to 200 million cycles.
Designed to match with SMC’s EX fieldbus system, it offers an array of compatible protocols, reduced wiring time, an IP67 rating and a self-diagnosis function. The units are set with rubber and metal seals. In fact, the metal seals last for decades and would even outlive the machine – perfect for safety.
“It speaks volumes when you are confident enough to offer a perfectly matched solution on trial and know that it will 100% deliver. Rather than offering a sales pitch, SMC allows our products to speak for themselves,” says Peter. “Having already established a relationship with kanDO Innovation, we trust that this is the beginning of a very successful relationship with Guardian Bandsaw!”