WJ Group has launched a groundbreaking innovation called ThermoPrint, which is set to revolutionise the road marking sector and save lives.
Its new technology eliminates the need for the century-old practice of applying thermoplastic road markings by hand, using an automated machine with advanced application equipment.
Traditionally, the process of laying thermoplastic road markings such as letters, numbers, arrows, and other symbols is completed via hand moulds. However, ThermoPrint has all road symbols used on the UK network programmed into its operating system, reducing the need for our operatives to lay the markings by hand. The technology also has the potential to scan existing road markings and automatically match them to programmed designs. Once the scanning is completed, the machine immediately relays thermoplastic to rejuvenate the markings and bring them up to standard, says the company.
ThermoPrint provides much-needed protection for our operatives, who often apply road markings next to live carriageways, by allowing them to run the machine safely from the cab. Additionally, the technology delivers efficiency benefits by increasing the speed of application and potentially reducing the required traffic management in appropriate situations.
At WJ, safety is one of its core values, and it is always looking for ways to improve working conditions for its operatives. “Our key concern is working on live carriageways where we are exposed to live traffic and potentially dangerous driving and incursions into our working space. ThermoPrint has been designed to eliminate the risk of operatives being hit by any traffic, as well as reducing the manual handling risks they face. We believe we have a machine that delivers on these ambitions,£ said teh company.
“WJ has a rich history of leading the way in innovative thinking, and our latest machine shows this in practice. The result is a UK-first machine which the company said it was proud to present to the industry,” said Martin Webb, Chief Operations Officer at WJ Group.
The company said it was proud to have worked with Norwegian road marking machine manufacturer Trysil Maskin to deliver ThermoPrint, a UK-first machine that demonstrates its commitment to innovative thinking and leading the way in the industry.
