Kee Safety uses a range of high performance DAQ equipment from HBM for developing its products, such as Kee-Line, in both dynamic drop tests and static tests.

Kee Safety utilizes QuantumX in product development

UK-based safety specialist, Kee Safety is using a range of HBM products to ensure that its latest Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) conforms to European Standard EN 795:1997 for anchor devices in protecting workers against the possibility of falls from height. Kee Safety uses HBM’s Quantum MX840A, U9B force transducers and catman®Easy software for the research and development of its horizontal life line, KeeLine, in both dynamic drop tests and static tests on full-scale built-up roofs at its factory.

Wire-based personal protection system

KeeLine® is a wire-based personal protection system that comprises 8 mm grade, 316 stainless steel wire with electro-polished brackets and detachable travellers to provide flexible, continuous protection for up to three users working at height. The system is suitable for fitting on roofs or horizontal/overhead structural applications. It has been developed for use by working teams carrying out essential roof top maintenance tasks, and incorporates an Inline Shock Absorber that minimizes loads to an acceptable level for both the user and structure in the event of a fall. The Inline Shock Absorber allows the KeeLine system to be installed to lightweight modern roof constructions with minimal or no roof penetrations.

Off-the-shelf solution from HBM

Scott Bennett, Kee Safety’s Quality Manager, notes, “We selected HBM’s equipment because it gave us an off-the-shelf solution for both the hardware and, more importantly the software. A particular attraction of the software was its ability to filter the data at 60Hz that we needed for our dynamic tests.” HBM’s MX840A is a compact 8-channel universal amplifier that can support up to 15 different transducer types per channel. All eight inputs provide 24-bit analog-to-digital converter with synchronized data acquisition at sample rates of up to 19.2kHz. The inputs are electrically isolated to ensure high measurement accuracy. The U9B is a miniature load cell for tensile and compressive forces constructed in stainless steel and available in ten measuring ranges up to 0-50kN. It is intended primarily for integration into assembly and production processes where there is not much space available for mounting. This equipment is complemented by catman®Easy, HBM’s intuitive software for simple acquisition and visualization of measurement data. Bennett adds, “In terms of the engineering, using HBM’s equipment has been a complete success and resulted in markedly improved products and we are now also using the equipment to test our other PPE devices regularly throughout the year.”

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