ScaffEx26’s second day brought practical questions to the exhibition floor: how to make scaffold designs easier to follow, get more use from equipment and give people better support at work.
At Manchester Central on Friday 11 September, Scaffmag’s conversations ranged from a new agreement between NASC and the Women in Scaffolding Association to the details of roof connections and the software contractors need to run their businesses.
There was also time to get beyond the product announcements and see how some of the equipment and technology on display was intended to work.
Support for women in the trade
NASC and the Women in Scaffolding Association (WiSA) discussed the next steps in their working relationship following a memorandum of understanding at the show.
Speaking to Scaffmag, representatives described an agreement intended to give WiSA greater reach across the industry and help NASC promote its work to member companies and their female employees.
That support would extend to women in office and other roles as well as those working on site.
Ideas discussed included involvement in NASC regional meetings, shared communications and opportunities for WiSA to raise issues affecting women in the trade. Further details were expected in a joint announcement the following week.
The conversation also covered concerns women had raised during the exhibition, including where to find support when faced with inappropriate comments at work.
WiSA’s representative said meeting people at ScaffEx had helped the association understand more about those experiences and the questions it needed to address.
The discussion gave a practical follow-up to Clive Dickin’s Virgin Radio appearance before the show opened on Thursday, when he spoke about encouraging more women into scaffolding.
Taking the drawing onto site
Layher’s SIM2Field XR demonstration focused on a familiar challenge: helping scaffolders interpret the design they are expected to build.
The app takes 3D scaffold models from LayPLAN CAD and makes them available on a mobile device through a link or QR code. Associated project documents can be accessed alongside the model.
During the demonstration recorded by Scaffmag, the team showed how users could inspect a structure, separate components visually and isolate a section of scaffold. The parts list and weight display changed to reflect the selected area.
An augmented-reality view allowed the model to be positioned in the physical space around the user.
The presenters explained that the aim was to reduce misinterpretation of detailed drawings and help the erection team understand how components fit together. The demonstration paired the digital model with a physical scaffold build.
A closer look at VECTA
On the Scafom-rux stand, Scaffmag took a closer look at the VECTA temporary roof and beam system announced ahead of the exhibition.
The explanation centred on practical details: identifying braces in the yard, keeping roof-track joints together and tensioning sheeting.
Colour-coded braces and size labels were designed to make component selection easier. The team also demonstrated the thinking behind track connections intended to draw adjoining sections together and seals intended to limit water ingress.
A sheet-tensioning arrangement was presented as an alternative to conventional ratchet straps.
The beams’ use beyond temporary roofing was another part of the discussion. The system is intended to give contractors equipment they can use in ordinary scaffolding applications as well as specialist roof work.
That was a useful opportunity to examine the design behind the launch. Performance figures will need the supporting technical documentation before they can be assessed in detail.
What contractors want from software
Conversations away from the demonstrations showed how closely visitors were looking at the day-to-day usefulness of business software.
One contractor described wanting a system that could take a job through its full life, from the initial enquiry to payment, with accounts linked in so information did not have to be entered twice.
It was a specific requirement, and a reminder of the buying decisions taking place between the larger displays. Visitors were comparing how products would fit their own businesses and what work would still have to be done manually.
Friday’s published conference programme covered hidden site risks, computer-based training and temporary roofing.
Thoughts are now turning to tonight’s Scaffolding Excellence Awards at Manchester Central, where the industry will come together to celebrate its people and projects.
