Automated handling system cuts sick leave
September 1st 2005

Installation of a semi-automated assembly system at Stahl has considerably reduced sick leave and downtime. Drives weighing up to 200kg for use in rope and chain hoists were lifted onto a workbench with the help of a crane, but from then on it was a hands-on affair.

The cost of this man-handling was significant, both to the assemblers and to the company, with sickness caused by pain and injury rising and man-hours being lost.

The company resolved to automate the process, but the heavy weights involved demanded careful choice of components. A HepcoMotion HDS heavy duty linear motion system was chosen to accommodate the substantial combined loads of both the drive and the stabilising device. Typical load is 200kg.

The linear slide system is mounted directly onto a HepcoMotion MCS frame, as is the hydraulic cylinder responsible for lifting and rotating the drives. A special in-house designed carriage plate to accommodate the drives is fitted to the slide system. The bespoke system has been configured to handle a variety of drive types to which a range of electric motors are fitted.

Drives are now lifted from a height of 700 to 1000mm and turned through 360° at a typical rate of 6 per hour over a 16h shift.

As this operation is smooth and efficient by comparison with the manual procedure, the drive can be positioned precisely to suit each stage of the operation.

Key to the performance of the HDS system is its V-guide system.

The company says its benefits over recirculating alternatives are quiet operation, low friction, immunity to dirt ingress, and low maintenance.

A further benefit of the HDS system is that its 95mm V-slot bearing has a load bearing capacity to 20kN.

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