PECM Issue 38 2019 | Page 192

STORAGE, HANDLING & DISTRIBUTION LIFTING REQUIREMENTS SCAGLIA INDEVA LTD MATERIAL HANDLING IN THE PROCESS AND MANUFACTURING SECTOR In the process sector, a lifting requirement is frequently more complex than a single heavy item being moved from one location to another. When using chemicals for example, bagged powdered products are often used, as are drums of (sometimes) corrosive or explosive liquids. Lifting bags of around 25kg in frequent and repetitive work cycles are commonplace, which discounts manual handling without a lifting device. Weight is not the only consideration when lifting bagged powdered products, as health and safety legislation prohibits workers’ hands coming into contact with bags where a surface product may be present on the outside, thus exposing the operative to the potential of skin irritation or worse. Lifting drums of chemicals or other liquids also presents a challenge to the manufacturer, as it is vital that drums of potentially dangerous liquids are kept level during transit. Many standard lifting solutions such as using a pneumatic manipulator can be rejected as they do not allow lifting and positioning of loads in a fast, smooth way that is needed for repetitive handling work cycles. In addition, the INDEVA load balancing feature ensures that containers are held steadily, on positioning and when the contents are being decanted. WHAT ABOUT LIFTING AWKWARD OR NON-STANDARD ITEMS? Although bagged products and drums are reasonably standard in shape and weight, some processes demand the lifting of unwieldy products, for example, lengths of heavy extruded product such as pipes used in infrastructure projects. Usually, in a factory environment, a forklift truck would be used to transport such an item from the extruder line to another area of the factory. But, as in many manufacturing environments, space is at a premium, and sometimes there is simply not enough room to easily and safely manoeuvre a forklift to carry out the task. The default option usually comes into effect where manual labour is used, and if you consider that such items could be 3m or 192 PECM Issue 38 more in length and weighing around 50kgs, this is clearly a safety hazard with potential for operator injury, not to mention damage to the product itself, or other plant and equipment. EMPLOYEE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLBEING MUST BE A MAJOR CONSIDERATION INDEVA Intelligent lifting devices have been ergonomically designed to protect the operator and reduce the risk of strain and injury. In the UK alone, an estimated 8.9 million working days are lost per year due to back or musculoskeletal issues caused by lifting or repetitive handling. speed, fluid movement and precise positioning of load that is required in the process and manufacturing sector. It is a compact, lightweight system that can be fitted with custom-designed end-effectors for bespoke applications. The Liftronic® Pro is ideal for custom handling solutions involving load rotation, vacuum gripping and/or special handling controls. It can lift and move up to 320kg capacity and can be commissioned with different mounting configurations, including column-mounted with an orbit arm, ceiling- mounted, on overhead rail and bridge systems, as well as mounted to lift trucks. BETTER PROCESS EFFICIENCY AND REDUCED PRODUCTION COSTS ARE ACHIEVABLE. Indeva leads the world in the manufacture of advanced industrial manipulators and material handling equipment that is designed to improve production processes, reduce costs and protect operator safety and wellbeing. The Liftronic® Pro is part of this world-class range of intelligent electronic lifting devices which gives users unparalleled safety and outstanding performance. This advanced range provides users with the ultimate responsiveness, To find out more about our innovative and bespoke lifting solutions and to discuss how we can change the way your production line operates, please contact us today Tel: 01246 889129 Email: [email protected] www.indevagroup.co.uk/pecm