The system is flexible, efficient and easy to operate. No fines have been incurred since the new tube lifter was introduced.∼ Bruno Berchtold, Head of Logistics Nahrin AG
Schmalz Vacuum Lifter Optimizes Order Picking at Nahrin
The logistics staff at Nahrin were annoyed: every additional 100-gram weight cost over 100 francs in additional postage. But with the new JumboFlex Weight-Control from Schmalz, the Swiss family business was not only able to eliminate the risk of excessive postage costs, but also reduce the workload of its pickers.
Features of the success story
| Industry | Food product |
|---|---|
| Workpiece | Cardboard boxes |
| Product group | Vacuum Tube Lifter JumboFlex Weight-Control |
| Type of handling | Manual Handling |
With Schmalz
560
packages
per day
0
euro
additional postage
The customer: Nahrin AG
The Swiss company Nahrin AG offers a wide range of food products and food supplements. Founded in 1954 as a direct sales company, Nahrin has also specialized in exports since 1982 and in private label production since 1990. In addition to its headquarters in Sarnen, round 25 kilometers south of Lucerne, Nahrin AG has also been responsible for the logistics of the Swiss company Anifit AG for 15 years.
The challenge
Nahrin was faced with a number of challenges. Firstly, a high-performance gripper had to be found to make the picking process more efficient. Secondly, a solution had to be found for the weight restrictions: Swiss Post's strict weight limits, in connection with high penalties for exceeding them, required precise control and compliance with the weight limits already during the picking process. For the successful installation of the material flow solution, it had to be ensured that the operators could easily access the operator handle at all times despite the different ceiling heights in the individual picking areas. Finally, the solution had to work quickly and efficiently in order to increase productivity and minimize errors in weight control.
The solution from Schmalz
Schmalz has developed two solutions to Nahrin's challenges: The JumboFlex Weight-Control vacuum tube lifter has an integrated load cell that measures the weight of the attached load during the lifting process and shows it directly on a display on the control handle. This enables precise weight control to avoid penalties due to overweight. The packers simply enter the maximum weight allowed and the system immediately warns them if the package is too heavy. This process is fast, efficient and precise. The multi-gripper was specially developed for Nahrin's requirements: It can reliably pick up cardboard boxes of different sizes, is lightweight and compact thanks to additive manufacturing, and enables safe handling even if the cardboard box is slightly smaller than the suction area. Thanks to the flexibility of the gripper, the packers do not have to switch between different grippers and can work ergonomically. These solutions optimize the picking process at Nahrin and increase efficiency and process reliability.
The JumboFlex Weight-Control measures the weight of the suspended load in the top position – in this case, the light strip indicates that everything is in the green zone.
The intuitive one-hand operation ensures that cardboard boxes are loaded quickly.
The multi-gripper ideally supplements the tube lifter JumboFlex Weight-Control: it has a low weight and reliably grips even non-rigid cardboard boxes.
Customer benefits through the Schmalz solution
Ergonomic and safeErgonomic handling increases safety and prevents accidents at work
Reduction of costsPrecise weight control leads to cost savings by avoiding penalties
Flexible and efficientThe system is easy to use and speeds up 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