Schmalz Vacuum Lifter Optimizes Handling at Aliaxis

In the production halls of Aliaxis Deutschland GmbH, there are numerous work processes that can lead to health problems, such as lifting and carrying heavy loads. To counteract this, Aliaxis has introduced a program to improve occupational safety and ergonomics and implemented Schmalz vacuum lifters. The vacuum tube lifter JumboFlex is used in various configurations to optimize work processes from mounting to final inspection. These custom-made solutions improve working conditions and reduce the risk of accidents and health hazards.

Products used in the application

Features of the success story

Industry	Plastics
Workpiece	Plastic pipes, Wooden boards
Product group	Vacuum Tube Lifter JumboFlex
Type of handling	Manual Handling

With Schmalz

kilogram

effortless handling

The customer: Aliaxis Deutschland GmbH

Aliaxis is a leading global manufacturer of advanced plastic pipe systems for construction, industry and agriculture. With more than 14,000 employees worldwide, Aliaxis is represented in over 40 countries. In Germany, the company operates as Aliaxis Deutschland GmbH and employs round 550 employees at its Mannheim location.

The challenge

Aliaxis was faced with the challenge of increasing the occupational safety of its employees and reducing musculoskeletal disorders. To this end, the company launched the "Lifting and Carrying" program, which aims to gradually implement international standards in the area of health and safety in the workplace. The aim of the initiative is to promote ergonomic working and reduce the strain on employees.

"The fact that we had to change something here was also evident from the one or other downtime."

∼ Jens Eckstein, Production Manager Aliaxis Deutschland GmbH

The solution from Schmalz

Schmalz has developed several solutions for the Aliaxis to optimize work processes and improve ergonomics. The basis of these solutions is the particularly responsive vacuum tube lifter JumboFlex, which is used in connection with aluminum column-mounted jib cranes. The JumboFlex is characterized by ergonomic one-hand operation and is particularly suitable for the frequent and fast handling of goods weighing up to 50 kilograms. At Aliaxis, these tube lifters are used in various areas of the company: In mounting, they are used to lift and mount shut-off valves weighing up to 40 kilograms. In the packaging sector, the tube lifters are used to handle small and heavy packaging units such as cartridges and shipping boxes, which are moved on conveyor belts and prepared for shipping. In production, they are used to handle workpieces such as sleeves and T-pieces. These are transported from conveyor belts into collecting baskets and then have to be stacked on pallets by the employees. In the testing facility, the tube lifters are used to test and transport welding equipment. After the test, the devices are prepared for shipping and stacked on pallets. Depending on the application, the tube lifters are circuitried with special grippers: The multiple vacuum gripper enables the safe gripping and transfer of different workpieces in various geometries, such as cartridges or shipping boxes at Aliaxis. The round vacuum gripper with skirt is used to stack heavy sleeves vertically on a pallet. Special adaptations have been made to the tube lifters for the investigation and transport of welding equipment. Various load handling variants, such as suspension hooks and double suction cups, allow the welding equipment to be handled and transported safely. These custom-made solutions make a significant contribution to improving occupational safety, reducing the strain on employees and increasing the efficiency of work processes.