Hydraulic Manifold Stock Storage System
Improved Handling and Storage of Ductile Iron Billets Case Study
The Challenge:
Sun Hydraulics, a leading hydraulic valve and manifold manufacturer located in Sarasota, Florida wanted to improve ergonomics and safe handling of square and rectangular ductile iron stock used in the manufacture of hydraulic manifolds. They wanted to replace the existing outdated cantilever rack system with something that held 4000-5000 lbs. per level, up to 75” long bars, was no taller than 48” at top level, would sit in close proximity to their incoming material loading bay and stayed within a restricted footprint near the machines they fed. An additional requirement was that the equipment be painted a custom blended color unique to the manufacturer.
Before
The Solution:
Lynx Products Corporation along with Rack Engineering Division worked together to determine the needs and concerns of the hydraulic valve manufacturer’s team members and provided a custom solution: (4) Crank-Out Glide-Out units consisting of (2) 5000 lb. capacity, 75% extension glide out shelves and a 10,000 lb. capacity fixed top for the larger ductile iron stock. The shelf widths and depths were designed to allow maximum storage density, ease of loading and unloading, flexibility, improved ergonomics and safety. An additional Glide-Out 100 series was also provided for the smaller stock pieces that were originally stored on various work tables near the cut-off machines. It also was 48” overall height, with (2) 2000 lb. capacity, 100% extension glide out shelves and a 2000 lb. fixed top. All were finished with the custom blended paint unique to the manufacturer.
The end result was that the work area was transformed into a well-organized, user-friendly stock storage area with known weight capacities, improved ergonomics and safety within the same basic footprint of the original equipment.
After
