ELS solves lifting challenge with a custom solution

For several years, a plastics material and resin manufacturer had been searching for a lifting solution — one that would reduce the risk of worker injury and meet the precise needs of the application. The company turned to Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment (ELS) for its expertise, and ended up with a custom material handling solution that met its demanding requirements.

The application

The company’s workers were tasked with manually dumping product into a process machine. The handling happened in a work cell located on a second floor mezzanine above a process machine — a very tight area with little room to handle the product from pallet to hopper. The manual lifting and dumping was identified as an ergonomic concern.

The small, congested work area had limited options for what lifting equipment could be installed, and where it could be mounted. Additionally, the work cell was located in a hazardous environment that required all installed equipment to have spark-resistant features. 

The solution

In consultation with ELS technical sales staff, the manufacturer considered several options. A jib crane mounted onto the floor of the mezzanine was considered; however, it was ruled out because the column location would not have good positioning for the boom to reach the pick-and-place locations. The company also considered using two existing monorails above the mezzanine as a vacuum tube lifter mount; however, neither of the monorails were in the correct overhead location for the tube lifter to be positioned for picking and placing product from pallet to hopper.

Then, ELS proposed a custom mounted Gorbel Pivot Pro with an articulating arm that would serve the repetitive high cycling material handing in the work cell. The Pivot Pro’s design was compatible with common brands of vacuum lifters, so the company could reassign its existing vacuum. The proposal met all of the requirements, and was a creative solution to the challenging workplace application.

To learn how the company can help meet your lifting needs, contact ELS.

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