Ist die Umzäunung modular/wiederverwendbar, wenn sich das Layout der Produktionslinie ändert?

The Layout Freeze is a Myth. In automotive automation, the only constant is change. A robot’s reach envelope is recalculated, a conveyor feed is rerouted, or a new station is added. If your safety guarding is welded in place, every layout change becomes a demolition project involving hot work permits and scrap metal. Mdfence transforms your perimeter guarding from a “sunk cost” into a reconfigurable asset. Gespräch mit einem Experten

The “Lego” Logic vs. The “Angle Iron” Nightmare

For System Integrators and Tier 1 automotive suppliers, the value of Industrielle Sicherheitszäune isn’t just in stopping a KUKA arm from hitting an operator—it’s in how fast you can adapt when the engineering team changes the CAD drawing 48 hours before commissioning.

Traditional “blacksmith” fencing (welded angle iron and mesh) is rigid. Once it is anchored and welded, moving it requires cutting discs, grinding sparks, and repainting. In a clean assembly hall or a body-in-white shop, Hot Work is the enemy. It damages the epoxy floors and contaminates sensitive sensors with metal dust.

The Mdfence Modular Advantage:

• Zero Hot Work: Our system uses a patented clamp and bolt connection. A standard 13mm wrench is the only tool required for assembly or disassembly.
• Non-Destructive Reconfiguration: Need to move a fence line back 500mm to accommodate a larger robot end-effector? Simply unbolt the clips, move the posts, drill new anchor holes, and re-clamp. The panels and posts remain 100% intact.

Figure 1: The cold-assembly process eliminates welding sparks, allowing layout changes during live production shifts.

Handling the “Safety Distance” Variable

In robotic cells, the distance of the fence from the hazard (ISO 13857 Safety Distance) is dictated by the reach of the robot and the stopping time of the system. If you upgrade to a faster robot or change the tooling, the required safety distance often increases.

With generic 50x50mm mesh, you might be forced to move the fence significantly further out to prevent finger intrusion. Mdfence utilizes a 20x100mm “Finger-Safe” mesh. This allows the guarding to be positioned as close as 120mm (4.7 inches) aus der Gefahrenzone.

If your layout changes force the equipment into a tighter footprint, our modular Maschinenschutzzaunfelder allow you to hug the machine line tightly, saving valuable square footage in the plant without violating OSHA or ISO compliance.

Figure 2: The framed 20x30mm structure provides rigidity while the 20x100mm mesh ensures compliance even in tight layouts.

Swapping Panels for Doors: The Integration Flexibility

A common scenario in automation integration: The mechanical design is finalized, the fence is ordered, and then the controls engineer decides that the HMI and maintenance access point need to move to the opposite side of the cell.

With Mdfence, this is a 15-minute fix, not a re-order. Because our system is modular based on standard widths (e.g., 1000mm, 1200mm, 1500mm):

1. Interchangeability: You can unbolt a fixed panel and replace it with a pre-assembled Hinged Door kit of the same width.
2. Lock Compatibility: Our posts are pre-drilled or use clamp-on brackets for safety interlocks (Omron, Sick, Euchner). Moving the interlock to a new post doesn’t leave ugly, rusty holes behind.
3. No Fabrication: The “Door Header” simply bolts onto the existing posts to ensure the frame remains square, preventing the door from sagging over time.

Figure 3: Modular lock plates and door kits allow you to change access points without cutting or drilling.

The Economics of Reusability: Asset vs. Expense

When a production line is decommissioned or re-tooled for a new car model (e.g., switching from ICE to EV platforms), traditional welded fencing is usually twisted during removal and sent to the scrap bin. It is a consumable expense.

Mdfence is designed as a capital asset with a 95% reuse rate. The only “consumable” parts are the floor anchors (which stay in the old concrete). The steel, powder coating, and connection hardware survive the move.

FAQ: Adapting Mdfence to Changing Automotive Lines

Q1: If I cut a panel to fit a non-standard gap, does it lose its structural integrity?
No. Unlike frameless “bending wire” mesh, Mdfence uses a full 20x30mm steel tube frame. If you need to cut a panel width-wise on-site to fit a precise gap (e.g., 843mm), you can use our “Cut Profile Kit” to re-attach the frame edge, maintaining the system’s rigidity and eliminating sharp edges.

Q2: Can we reuse the floor anchors when moving the fence?
No. The expansion bolts (M10x70mm) are designed for permanent grip in the concrete. When moving the fence, you will simply unscrew the nut, lift the post, and grind the old stud flush with the floor. You will need new anchors for the new location, which we stock as standard consumables.

Q3: My new layout requires a conveyor to pass through the fence. Do I need a new panel?
Not necessarily. For standard conveyor heights, we offer “Tunnel Guard” kits that can be retrofitted to existing panels. We cut the mesh to the tunnel profile and install a reinforcement frame, ensuring the opening complies with ISO 13857 reach-in standards without replacing the entire fence run.

Q4: Will the powder coating chip if we disassemble and reassemble it multiple times?
Unser Roboter-Schutzzaun-Systeme use a high-grade electrostatic powder coating (RAL 1023/9005) baked for durability. The connection clips are designed with tolerance to grip the post without gouging the paint deep into the metal, minimizing corrosion risk even after reconfiguration.

Q5: Can I mount my safety light curtains directly to the fence posts?
Yes. We offer dedicated 80x80mm posts or adapter brackets for standard 60x60mm posts that are pre-drilled and tapped for major light curtain brands (Keyence, Sick, Omron). This integrates the opto-electronic protection directly into the physical barrier structure, saving floor space.