Steerable transfer cart by ELS helps company move stamping dies

ELS steerable transfer carts are highly useful for moving heavy items.

For nearly half a century, Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment (ELS) has helped industrial clients find solutions to lifting and moving challenges. From cranes and lift assists to steerable transfer carts and forklift attachments, ELS products have a solid history of making manufacturing plants more efficient, productive, and safe.

A perfect example involves a motor-vehicle metal-stamping company that recently expanded its facility and relocated its storage area for dies.

Complications from space restrictions

The company, which specializes in automotive interior trim, glass assembly, vacuum forming, and custom assembly, needed to transfer dies from storage to production, as well as a tool room for repairs. Dies were typically stored on angle iron and hardwood runners beside a press.

The company built a new storage area for the dies. However, unlike the facility’s previous storage and maintenance area, there was no access to overhead lifting. The company’s workers needed to use a fork truck to lift and move the dies. In addition, there was limited space for the fork truck to maneuver, which made handling dies in the new area quite challenging. First, the dies had to be moved to a more accessible space in the production area, so the fork truck could pick them up and transfer them to the tool room for repair. Handling the dies with a fork truck was not a process the company wanted long-term.

The company considered different die-handling solutions, including a rail-mounted transfer cart with a rail track embedded in the floor. However, when the company began consulting with ELS Technical Sales, they were introduced to a better solution.

ELS recommended one of its DC-powered steerable transfer carts. Instead of being limited to areas of the plant where the rail track was laid, the steerable transfer cart would allow workers to drive the cart freely around the facility. This would make transportation of dies a single-step operation.

The company purchased a 25-ton-capacity DC steerable transfer cart capable of travelling the required 2,000-foot round trip within the plant. Not only is the handling process now done in less time and with less effort, but the cart’s wood deck has proved to be effective in cushioning the dies and preventing damage.

It was the ideal solution for this application. Thanks to ELS, the company is still moving dies with ease.

To learn more, contact ELS.

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