Operators get a lift
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 9/15/1999
U.S. Can Company was looking for an ergonomic solution for workers in its Tallapoosa, Ga. packaging operation. Employees had to lift 80-lb boxes of can parts when transferring loads from pallets at the packing station or assembly line.Lifting heavy boxes put our operators at risk, says master mechanic George Farley, and "that's a risk we can't afford to take." The company needed a safer and faster way of handling the 80 lb loads.
After trying a vacuum lifter in one operation, the company was so pleased with its performance that it ended up installing a total of 5 of the VacuMove units in its Tallapoosa assembly and press departments. The equipment has suction feet to lift containers up to 350 lb.
With safety as a priority, the plant is now able to keep up with its production goal of packaging 16 boxes per hour on five lines, 24 hours a day, six days a week. Since the lifters have been in operation, there have been no back injuries or strained muscles.
VacuMove uses vacuum for both lifting and holding loads in place. The vacuum is formed with a vacuum pump, which can be placed as far away as 100 ft from the actual lifting point.
The air is channelled through a filter and an airhose from the lifting tube fitted with a suction foot. The lifting tube is suspended in a swivel and will turn 360 degrees.
The vacuum inside the lifting tube is regulated with a control handle. When the partial vacuum rises, the lifting tube retracts and lifts the load. When the partial vacuum sinks, the tube stretches and lowers the load.
Tawi USA
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