Stauff (UK) Ltd

The Problem

Handling coils of hydraulic hose is never easy, especially when it has a two inch bore or when randomly dropped into a jumbo cardboard box with other coils.  Weighing between 50kg and 300kg, the heavy, awkward rubber construction seems to have a ‘mind of its own’ and sticks together making manual recovery from the box an ergonomic nightmare.

Stauff (market leaders in the manufacture of hose assemblies) is re-developing their Sheffield facility and asked Handling Concepts to solve the problem of removing coils from boxes and turning them as required from horizontal to vertical.

The Solution

Handling Concepts solution was to install a rail system over the production equipment and to design and produce a bespoke manipulator below it.  The manipulator is capable of gripping the coil and lifting it from the box.  It can also tilt the coil to suit the individual application.

The Outcome

Major benefits have been gained by Stauff.  By removing the need for manual lifting of such an awkward product, the process is now significantly safer for the operator and the equipment is providing real and measurable productivity gains in terms of speed and accuracy.

 “The proof of a successfully designed machine is when it is used all the time!” says Peter Wilkinson of Stauff. “When moving hose coils we have had significant improvements in productivity of up to 50% saving or more. We have had no back injuries since installing the equipment whereas before we would see at least one or two people a month being affected in some way. The fact is that we have made this a one person job compared to the old method where two or three people were involved”.

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