Customer report: Nordson

How Nordson BKG GmbH has optimized machine safety processes with Safexpert

Nordson BKG GmbH is a leading global supplier of technologies for plastics processing and polymer production. In a demanding and constantly evolving market, compliance with safety standards for machinery is crucial. Before Safexpert was introduced, however, the company faced a major challenge.

Conducting risk assessments was a time-consuming and complex process that affected the efficiency of the designers. Around 25 designers were using Excel-based templates for the risk assessment. These templates were maintained by two experts who had the necessary expertise in machine safety and standards. The other design engineers used the templates without studying the content in detail, which led to potential safety gaps and inefficient work processes.

Distribution of knowledge and simultaneous creation of reliable verification documentation

To overcome these challenges, Nordson BKG decided to introduce Safexpert, a specialized software solution for machine safety. This made it possible to optimize the entire risk assessment process and at the same time increase the quality and safety of the products. The risk assessment should not be perceived by employees as an additional burden, but rather as a valuable tool for developing safe machines. With the introduction of Safexpert, this claim is being pursued more intensively and the know-how on machine safety is being extended to ALL design engineers. This avoids isolated knowledge and the software also helps to ensure that every design engineer deals intensively with the content of the cited standards.

Extending machine safety expertise to all design engineers was a key factor in the decision to use Safexpert. Safexpert not only creates reliable verification documents for supervisory authorities, but the software also automatically indicates updated versions of standards. All departments involved in the product development process are systematically guided through the CE conformity process thanks to the CE guide. This creates security and transparency in risk assessment, increases efficiency and safety in product development and facilitates compliance with legal requirements.

Introduction of Safexpert and support from IBF Solutions

The introduction of Safexpert as CE marking and risk assessment software was carefully planned:

"Together with a colleague, I took part in a training course and templates were created and trained internally before use.All design engineers also received comprehensive training to learn how to use and work efficiently with the new software.We received valuable support from IBF Solutions.The wide range of training courses on offer was extremely helpful and the two colleagues who were appointed as administrators internally were always able to rely on IBF's proactive support if they had any questions.As CE coordinator, I am now fulfilling my duty to organize CE conformity and ensure safe products in a targeted and clearly documented manner."

Tips for other companies

For other companies that want to introduce Safexpert, it is important to plan the introduction carefully in order to maximize the output in daily use and to design processes efficiently. At Nordson BKG GmbH, where customer-specific orders are often processed in a tight time frame, there must be a basis that can be adapted depending on the order. Success depends largely on all design engineers actually engaging with the content of the templates and identifying with them. Ready-made risk assessment templates that can be adapted depending on the job are extremely helpful here.

By introducing Safexpert, Nordson BKG GmbH has not only increased efficiency and safety in risk assessment, but has also created the basis for sustainable and future-proof development. Safexpert has proven to be an indispensable tool that strengthens the company's position as a technology leader while ensuring the highest safety standards.