The goal of improving the ergonomics of the egg palletizing process has definitely been achieved. Our experience with the tube lifter has been nothing but good.∼ Dominik Gmür, Operations Manager at the Flawil location, Lüchinger + Schmid AG
Ergonomic Palletizing With Schmalz Vacuum Lifters
Lüchinger + Schmid AG, a leading Swiss company in the trade and production of eggs and egg products, was looking for a solution to improve the manual handling of egg containers. Schmalz implemented a solution using a JumboFlex vacuum tube lifter, which enables employees to position the containers ergonomically and efficiently on pallets. This innovative solution has reduced the employees' workload, increased efficiency and contributed to employee satisfaction.
Features of the success story
| Industry | Food product |
|---|---|
| Workpiece | Eggs |
| Product group | Vacuum Tube Lifter JumboFlex |
| Type of handling | Manual Handling |
With Schmalz
50
kilogram
effortless handling
The customer: Lüchinger + Schmid AG
Lüchinger + Schmid AG is a leading Swiss trading and production company for eggs, egg products and chilled fresh products. Based in Flawil, the company has been active in the industry for over 100 years. It is part of the Micarna Group, which in turn belongs to M-Industry. Lüchinger + Schmid AG employs a total of round 140 employees. The twelve employees in the sorting department package round 300,000 free-range and organic eggs every day, which are delivered to the surrounding retail outlets on the same day.
The challenge
Lüchinger + Schmid identified potential for improvement in the final egg handling step of the production process. The manual work involved in sorting the boxes or cartons onto pallets was particularly physically demanding for the employees: containers weighing 15 to 25 kg had to be lifted manually to a height of up to 1.80 meters. As the number of scontainers increased, this work became more and more demanding and strenuous. It was therefore essential for the company to make the workplace more ergonomic in order to ensure the health and satisfaction of the employees. At EMPACK in Zurich, an important Swiss trade fair for products and innovations in the packaging industry, Lüchinger + Schmid became aware of the vacuum handling solutions from Schmalz.
The solution from Schmalz
Schmalz's solution for Lüchinger + Schmid involves the use of a bridge crane to palletize the egg cartons. A JumboFlex vacuum tube lifter is mounted on this gantry system, which is equipped with a gripper specially developed for Lüchinger + Schmid. An integrated quick-change adapter also makes it easy to replace the gripper, so that the same system can be used for handling both Migros' own crates and cardboard boxes filled with eggs. A radio remote control enables employees to switch the system on and off quickly, saving valuable energy. This custom-made solution improves ergonomics and increases the efficiency of the palletizing process.
Thanks to the one-hand control, one hand remains free to guide and precisely position the load
In the production hall of Lüchinger + Schmid AG, small load carriers can be transported flexibly and effortlessly using the JumboFlex 25.
Customer benefits through the Schmalz solution
Improved ergonomicsThe system reduces the physical strain on employees and optimizes the working environment.
Increased efficiencyFaster palletizing process increases productivity and minimizes downtimes.
VersatilityQuick-change adapter increases the flexibility of the system for different shrink wrapped goods and work processes
Products used in the application
Vacuum Tube Lifters JumboFlex Generation 1
- JumboFlex for ergonomic one-hand operation for fast movement sequences
- Configurable lifting unit, operator handle, vacuum gripper and vacuum generator
- One-finger / two-finger control for right-handed and left-handed users
- For workpieces up to 50 kg