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Assembly Made Simple with help from Air Power, Presto, GCI, and Cleco
In this case study, Air Power builds a custom integrated system that makes Ergonomics, Safety, and Quality simple with a team effort.
Customer
This customer is a supplier in the Truck and Bus industry.
Challenge
The customer needed to outfit a new work cell assembling large metal components. First, the weight of the fully assembled sub-build components exceeded 1000 lbs. requiring a high weight capacity work table. Secondly, the height variation of the operators presented ergonomic issues from shift to shift to ensure each operator performed his necessary tasks at optimum work heights for ergonomics and safety. Thirdly, target torque for each component exceeded the safety threshold for handheld tooling, 69 ft/lbs, and 135 ft/lbs. requiring a torque management solution to be included in the overall work cell build. Lastly, the components needing to be torqued are deemed quality critical, requiring all data for the fasteners to be documented to ensure a proper build.
Air Power Solution
Air Power included the following in our solution; a 2000 lbs. capacity adjustable height pneumatic Presto lift table, a GCI torque reaction arm, and a Cleco MPro 300 controller with right angle NeoTek tool. We were able to meet the high weight by working closely with Presto directly to customize the adjustable height scissor lift table. GCI was able to build a custom torque arm to provide the needed reach and vertical travel while managing up to 240 NM of torque reaction. We were able to mount the torque arm directly to our adjustable height table, allowing the entire work station to adjust to ideal work height for any given operator. All of this wrapped around the brand new Cleco 300 controller with NeoTek right angle tool allowing for a precise fastening solution meeting and exceeding the quality critical parameters required. The Cleco 300 also allows our end-user to monitor, collect, and organize critical data to ensure they every unit out the door is a quality part.
Results
Air Power’s solution addressed all of the problems the customer faced with this assembly process. The Presto Lift table allows the operator to adjust the height of the entire system to eliminate and bending and back strain. The GCI torque arm holds and handles the Cleco right angle NeoTek tool. This eliminates any lifting and hand or wrist injury from handling a torque tool. Lastly, the Cleco mPro 300 controller gave the customer the ability to ensure perfect quality with every assembly.
A new machine requires a custom crane and hoist design..no problem
Problem:
The client, a local granite countertop supplier, was purchasing a new machine to custom cut their client’s countertops. Their existing workstation crane and hoist system didn’t allow the flexibility they needed to maneuver the granite into the proper position.
Solution
After on an onsite review, it became clear that a custom designed crane and hoist system was needed for the project. Account Manager Justin Kuhn and Application Specialist Chris Nelson were able to custom design a 2 ton Gorbel crane and 1 ton Harrington Hoist system that allowed the power and flexibility the client needed.
Results
The Air Power solution is working perfectly and this will likely be the last crane the customer will ever need. The added bonus was an annual maintenance plan for all of their existing cranes and hoists. The ability of our team to not only immediately identify the issues, but to also have the technical skill to design a customized system leads to the perfect Manufacturing Solution.
Once again the tremendous knowledge and experience of our Account Managers and Application Specialists not only solves the issue at hand, but creates a long term customer.
Counterweight Confusion
This case study was presented by Baltimore Key Account Manager Lorne Rickert.
Challenge
A counterweight was attached to a turntable before the Hydraulic Motor which “keys” the turntable to the frame, located underneath. The counterweight caused the turntable to rotate until it was so far off balance that the Turntable with Counterweight fell off the Frame, coming to a rest about 2’ from a Team Member! This posed a significant safety hazard, as well as, assembly frustration to the onsite engineering team.
Air Power Solution
Air Power utilized an Ingersoll Rand QX Power Tool and Sturtevant Richmont Digital Wrench to positively confirm that all of the tightening’s have been completed before the Counterweight can be installed.
Results
Air Power’s Engineering Team, Michael John and Jesse Bryant, designed a “Lifting Sling Lock” device that will not release the lifting sling for the counterweight until the Tightening’s are complete – a Poke Yoke control to insure safety. This “Lifting Sling Lock” is utilized in conjunction with the I/O output of the Ingersoll Rand QX and the STR Digital Wrench, thus eliminating the safety hazard of a dropped counterweight. The Lifting Sling Lock will only unlock once all tightening have been positively confirmed, removing a safety hazard and improving overall production quality.
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