Vacuum lifters solve OHS problem at paper factory

Forklifts are used to drive pallets loaded with heavy sacks into the halls of the Koehler paper factory in Kehl, Germany. The raw material must be prepared and then moved to the paper machines. Previously, this work was done manually, placing the employees under great physical strain. Now, the Schmalz vacuum tube lifter JumboFlex 50 ensures faster materials handling while taking the burden from the employees.

The vacuum tube lifter improves handling of heavy sacks at the Koehler paper factory - even in difficult conditions with high levels of dust.

A major expansion of production and the increasing number of types of paper pushed the previous JumboFlex 35 (35 kg max lifting capacity) vacuum lifter to the limits of its capacity. The result was that Koehler employees had to start working by hand again to handle the newer, heavier sacks. An internal analysis showed that it was not worthwhile to have an automated system in this production area. So the paper experts started looking for a suitable handling solution to take the strain off the employees in the long term.

The JumboFlex 50 (50 kg max lifting capacity) handles small to medium-sized loads very quickly and ergonomically. The easy-to-grip operator handle can be operated intuitively with one hand. Depending on the employee’s preference, it can be operated with one or two fingers on the left or right hand. The different suction pads can be replaced quickly for a wide variety of applications. The round suction pad with a special skirt to seal the work pieces is suitable for powerful, safe handling of sacks. The lifting speed can be precisely regulated depending on the practical requirement and the amount of work. The vacuum lifter’s optimised ergonomics allow the employees to work with a back-friendly posture. This keeps the handling speed at a consistently high level and reduces absences due to health problems.

“Our experiences with the vacuum tube lifter have been very good across the board,” says Koehler Factory Manager Manfred Bähr, who is responsible for supplying raw materials to paper machine 6 in the Kehl factory. He adds that using the JumboFlex 50 has dramatically boosted productivity and taken the burden off employees. “Our employees can handle the increased amount of work in less time.”

According to Bähr, work is now easier because of the improved ergonomics that take the strain off the employees’ backs and joints. He also says that they have achieved a high safety standard despite the fast handling processes.