Lifting small motors

[Sweede]

Currently we have a two person operation where an employees must lift small motors from there carton and place on a conveyor line. The motors weight from 16 lbs. to 31 lbs. each at a production rate of 300 to 500 per hour. The problem is that the employee must reach 26 inches horizontal to grab the inside row of motors. The only area common on the motors is the shaft and using a manipulator answers the question for only one employee. I have thought of placing the motor box into a rotating pit. So this could be designed as a one person operation. Problem is that I would have to make the pit 81" wide to handle the box rotation which would extend the horizontal reach distance even greater. We have looked at tilting the load but the motors come in on pallets stacked six high with 32 engines per box. I look forward to any recommendations.

 

[JeffdlS]

Hi Sweede,

Regarding your motor situation, is their a height difference between the motors and the conveyor? If so, what is it? Also, are there any restriction around the pallets of motors? That is to say, can the workers only get around to just one side of the pallet? You might want to consider using a spring-actuated pallet holder with a turn-table. I know that Southworth makes such a product. Their website is

http://www.southworthproducts.com.

Let me know if this helps.

Jeff

 

[Sweede]

The operation is restricted to work only one side. The second operator tosses the motor to the other side to be loaded on the conveyor. Currently the pallet is on a lift in a pit that can be adjusted to operator hight. vertical lift is no problem. It's the horizontal lift that is the problem.

 

[JeffdlS]

Hi Sweede,

Would it be possible for the operators to have a magnetic device which could grab to motor shaft? I have seen magnetic lifts before which could be turned on and off with a switch so I would think it could be possible to have one which could be used horizontally. This would work best if it were mounted above the operators and had an arm that went down to them. The extended arm could grab the motor without the operator having to extend the distance.

Jeff

 

[ie3]

Sweede
I think the mag lift idea is the best so far. We use vacuum lifts for much the same operation (we have a flat surface to work with). A simple pnuematic lift with a magnetic end effector should handle the problem. Especially as the motors are so lightweight. Good luck!