Shuttle VLM (Vertical Lift Module) - Automated Tool & Die Storage & Retrieval System
2.1 هزار بار بازدید -
11 سال پیش
-
At Rimer Enterprises, Inc. the
At Rimer Enterprises, Inc. the installation of a VLM, Vertical Lift Module automated storage and retrieval system for their tool and die storage and retrieval has saved over 90% of otherwise wasted floor space, improved worker productivity, eliminated walking and searching, helps keep the tools and dies clean and dramatically reduced the chance of worker injuries because of the improved VLM ergonomic delivery system.
Rimer produces precision investment castings using the lost wax method for food processing, electrical, mechanical, marine, textile, machine tool, and other commercial market applications. In this process, a die is first machined and then used to produce a very close tolerance wax pattern. The wax pattern is dipped into slurry of investment ceramic material to produce a tough outer shell. The shell is heated until the wax runs out and then molten metal is poured into the shell to produce highly intricate parts.
The aluminum dies used to produce the wax pattern are stored by Rimer to be used when additional parts must be produced. Heavier dies are stored on in-house designed and built roller racks. Until recently, the smaller dies, in the five to 40pound range, were stored in steel shelving 4045 feet long, eight feet high and about 20 feet wide.
A Potential Liability Becomes a Practical Asset?
"The die retrieval process had the potential to result in an injury of some sort. To protect their employees, Rimer had to find a better ergonomic way of storing and retrieving there dies. The materials handling professionals at Integrated Systems Design came up with a solution.
It came in the form of an Integrated Systems Design Kardex Remstar Shuttle™ Vertical Lift Module or (VLM). The Shuttle VLM is an enclosed system of vertically arranged trays, an extraction platform and a series of controls that automatically delivers stored items to an ergonomically positioned work counter for retrieval, eliminating bending, stretching or reaching. This design concept, which focuses on enhancing the comfort, safety and productivity of employees, also helps companies like Rimer Enterprises meet government social responsibility and safety guidelines. In fact, the very design of the unit helped fund it.
Since the Shuttle VLM offered such a significant ergonomic improvement in handling Rimer's dies, and consequently the potential reduction in Workers' Compensation claims, the company was able to secure a grant from the State of Ohio that helped offset the cost for the unit".
The cost of the Shuttle VLM verses its value in improved safe handling of dies gave Rimer a very rapid return on investment."
The operation of the Integrated Systems Design Shuttle VLM is simple and straightforward. Dies are numbered and the numbers are listed on a spreadsheet along with the number of the Shuttle VLM tray that a specific numbered die is stored on. An associate locates the die needed in the spreadsheet with its corresponding tray number and then keys the tray number into the storage unit using a keypad. The Shuttle VLM automatically delivers the correct storage tray to the associate for easy, ergonomically sound die removal.
Each Shuttle VLM tray at Rimer Enterprises has a capacity of 850 pounds. Associates access the Shuttle VLM many times per day, depending on the shop workload.
Saving Space and Time
The Shelving System Occupied Approximately 900 Square Feet Of Floor Space. The Shuttle VLM only occupies 80 square feet of floor space so Rimer Enterprises has recovered over 90% of otherwise wasted floor space for additional operations. The recovered floor space is used for storage of heavier dies on roller racks, roller carts for moving product from process to process and a chiller operation for the controlled cooling of waxes.
Because it is an enclosed storage system, the Shuttle VLM also protects the stored dies and keeps them cleaner than storage on an open shelf.
Rimer Enterprises is not a stranger to vertical storage and retrieval systems. In addition to the Shuttle VLM, the company also operates six vertical carousels in other operations throughout the 25,000 square foot, multi-building facility.
Using these vertical storage and retrieval systems made work easier and safer for Rimer employees. Taking advantage of unused overhead space by building up and not out also made economic sense for Rimer.
Rimer produces precision investment castings using the lost wax method for food processing, electrical, mechanical, marine, textile, machine tool, and other commercial market applications. In this process, a die is first machined and then used to produce a very close tolerance wax pattern. The wax pattern is dipped into slurry of investment ceramic material to produce a tough outer shell. The shell is heated until the wax runs out and then molten metal is poured into the shell to produce highly intricate parts.
The aluminum dies used to produce the wax pattern are stored by Rimer to be used when additional parts must be produced. Heavier dies are stored on in-house designed and built roller racks. Until recently, the smaller dies, in the five to 40pound range, were stored in steel shelving 4045 feet long, eight feet high and about 20 feet wide.
A Potential Liability Becomes a Practical Asset?
"The die retrieval process had the potential to result in an injury of some sort. To protect their employees, Rimer had to find a better ergonomic way of storing and retrieving there dies. The materials handling professionals at Integrated Systems Design came up with a solution.
It came in the form of an Integrated Systems Design Kardex Remstar Shuttle™ Vertical Lift Module or (VLM). The Shuttle VLM is an enclosed system of vertically arranged trays, an extraction platform and a series of controls that automatically delivers stored items to an ergonomically positioned work counter for retrieval, eliminating bending, stretching or reaching. This design concept, which focuses on enhancing the comfort, safety and productivity of employees, also helps companies like Rimer Enterprises meet government social responsibility and safety guidelines. In fact, the very design of the unit helped fund it.
Since the Shuttle VLM offered such a significant ergonomic improvement in handling Rimer's dies, and consequently the potential reduction in Workers' Compensation claims, the company was able to secure a grant from the State of Ohio that helped offset the cost for the unit".
The cost of the Shuttle VLM verses its value in improved safe handling of dies gave Rimer a very rapid return on investment."
The operation of the Integrated Systems Design Shuttle VLM is simple and straightforward. Dies are numbered and the numbers are listed on a spreadsheet along with the number of the Shuttle VLM tray that a specific numbered die is stored on. An associate locates the die needed in the spreadsheet with its corresponding tray number and then keys the tray number into the storage unit using a keypad. The Shuttle VLM automatically delivers the correct storage tray to the associate for easy, ergonomically sound die removal.
Each Shuttle VLM tray at Rimer Enterprises has a capacity of 850 pounds. Associates access the Shuttle VLM many times per day, depending on the shop workload.
Saving Space and Time
The Shelving System Occupied Approximately 900 Square Feet Of Floor Space. The Shuttle VLM only occupies 80 square feet of floor space so Rimer Enterprises has recovered over 90% of otherwise wasted floor space for additional operations. The recovered floor space is used for storage of heavier dies on roller racks, roller carts for moving product from process to process and a chiller operation for the controlled cooling of waxes.
Because it is an enclosed storage system, the Shuttle VLM also protects the stored dies and keeps them cleaner than storage on an open shelf.
Rimer Enterprises is not a stranger to vertical storage and retrieval systems. In addition to the Shuttle VLM, the company also operates six vertical carousels in other operations throughout the 25,000 square foot, multi-building facility.
Using these vertical storage and retrieval systems made work easier and safer for Rimer employees. Taking advantage of unused overhead space by building up and not out also made economic sense for Rimer.
11 سال پیش
در تاریخ 1393/02/04 منتشر شده
است.
2,106
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