If we can do it better ourselves, we will

Safety and technical aspects are always number one. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t take a look at aesthetics as well, especially when it means we can create an even better product that is more cost effective. The result in this case is a custom-created solution, based on an existing model, which we now are ready to produce for all our clients and can even enhance.

Two years ago, one of our clients came to us looking for safety solutions for their employees. They needed a traffic light for an innovative gangway they use on their offshore platforms. This is a gangway that is specially designed to mitigate ocean swells and is used to get from ships onto the platform. The client was looking for a warning light, showing if the gangway was safe to use or not. So they wanted a LED traffic light that was visible from both ends of the gangway.

We developed the traffic light ourselves, using red and green LED lights to signal if the gangway is safe to use. The-explosion safe technique was created by us, but we used a square, off-the-shelf housing solution for assembly on the platform. Unfortunately it was not exactly what the client had in mind; part of that also had to do with costs. So we went back to the drawing board, to see how we could improve the light, as well as bring costs down. If at first you don’t succeed...

Rounded, stainless steel

It turned out that the best way to improve the prototype was to do everything ourselves. Because we have the tools and technology, it was easy to produce and modify it, to make it look even better. The result is a rounded square housing, made out of stainless steel. This is not only better to work with, it is less expensive to build. For the light itself we used two red LED lights and two green LED lights on both ends, so they are visible from either end of the gangway. Besides that, we installed a new PCB so the LED lights also have the capability to flash, when needed. The light is certified to be used in Zone 2, and we are in the process of getting it certified for Zone 1.

To be honest, we are really proud of the result and we feel that this traffic light can be used in many more locations. That is why we will be producing the traffic light under our own registered Artidor brand name. We are also working on options to enhance the light. For more information and technical aspects, take a look at our product page.

As we have said before, if we find we can create a better solution than what is already out there, we will definitely develop it. It is a challenge we love to take on.