Moving heavy loads with one finger

Investing in ergonomics is smart. With the scarcity of technical personnel, we need to use our human capital as sparingly as possible. If you choose Dalmec's industrial manipulators, you choose not only ergonomics but also productivity. After all, they are always designed and built to suit your situation, so you get a solution that really works. An interview with Thierry Reverse, manager of Arcadel, official distributor of Dalmec lifting aids.

Not every metal company has the resources or space to automate the feeding of its sheets. However, manipulation of such material is not obvious, due to its size and weight. Operators could use some support to save their backs and improve safety. Enter Arcadel and Dalmec. "Roller bridges can be a possible alternative, but allow less flexibility for weights up to, say, 200 kilograms. This way of working quickly becomes quite cumbersome. With a Dalmec pneumatic manipulator, on the other hand, you get all the freedom of movement you need." 

Customization from pedestal to arm

The blacksmith's secret is in the customization that is provided to the customer. "We always come and take a look at the customer's workshop, to know what he is up against today and exactly what he needs to be more efficient tomorrow. That's the starting point every time. Then we build everything accordingly, from the construction, to the arm and even the tooling. This is how we arrive at solutions that are smooth and easy to operate and add real value." 

A fine example of that customization was provided by Arcadel for metalworking company Ursus of Eeklo to operate the laser cutting machine. It built a structure all around so that both the laser cutting machine and the change table can be easily reached. "The manipulator moves along the structure to pick up the sheets by vacuum napping. Since we work mainly with aluminum, this technique gave the best results. At the push of a button, the operator can pick up the plates and lay them down again very precisely. Especially the suppleness and flexibility convinced in this project," summarizes Reverse.

Showroom as a testing area

Another challenging project involved the loading of the laser cutting machine at A&C Noyens, constructor of trailers, semi-trailers and bodywork from Olen. 

"The laser cutting machine was located here in a small, separate building. Originally it worked with forklifts, but they wanted a solution that was at the same time safer and more ergonomic in order to deposit the sheets very precisely. So we placed a balancer just next to that building, with an arm that can turn all the way in. That way, both parts can still be closed at night, just as the customer wanted." 

The operator at A&C Noyens was up and running smoothly in no time. "We also invite customers in advance to our showroom in Roeselare. There they can see different types at work, but also already experience what it means to work with Dalmec. Ease of use, that's what we really focus on, because ergonomics must also remain workable."

New order best proof

The best proof of this is that very many customers return for a new order. "The combination of Dalmec's customization and our own expertise ensures that we deliver solutions that do what they are supposed to do. Without any effort or much thought, our pneumatic manipulators allow operators to get heavy loads into the right position. They must enjoy working with them. This was also the case at AMI Metals in Gosselies, which supplies the aviation industry. There we came up with a solution to efficiently move stainless steel plates with thicknesses from 0.5 to 6 millimeters. They also came to test it on site in the showroom, with a similar device, to see if and how it worked. The news about its smooth operation and ergonomic functioning spread like wildfire within the group. Meanwhile, an order for the foreign branches already followed."