Key Points
Movomech weightless lifting solution.
Improved safety.
Increased efficiency.
Ideal solution for a confined area.
Able to handle multiple items.
Who is Wienerberger UK?
Wienerberger is a leading provider of wall, roof and landscaping innovations. In the UK, Wienerberger has four showrooms, 14 production sites and six distribution depots, with its head office in Cheadle, Cheshire. Wienerberger places huge importance on staff safety. It has several health and safety programmes such as the Near Miss initiative to target safety concerns raised by staff.
The Challenge
It was at the clay roof tile plant at Broomfleet in East Yorkshire that Wienerberger faced a significant safety, but also complex lifting and manoeuvring, challenge. The production process involves handling 24 different plaster moulds used for making clay tiles which must be continually recast and replaced.
The process is highly complex because each mould must be lifted then rotated in several multi-axis movements to ensure it is placed on the press correctly Although their manual lifting is efficient, the problem is compounded by the fact that the moulds are difficult to handle and some weigh up to 60kgs. The operation also takes place in a confined space surrounded by potentially dangerous industrial equipment such as firing kilns and conveyors.
Staff were using a basic hoist and sling system which did the lifting, but none of the complex rotation and manipulation so it still required a lot of manual handling usually by the strongest and fittest employees. Also, manual lifting regulations have evolved. The limit for unaided lifting was 25kgs, now it is “what a person is able or prepared to lift”.
The Solution
Wienerberger quickly realised that finding a solution would require detailed problem analysis and innovative thinking. The company looked at many different options and suppliers. But most of these were based on shoe-horning standard lifting techniques into what was an unusual and challenging situation. Wienerberger then discovered Advanced Handling, a UK-based material handling solutions manufacturer and part of the Made in Britain Campaign.
Advanced Handling’s approach was to spend time on the factory floor observing and analysing the process and how moulds were being handled, as well as understanding how operators would prefer to work. Then Advanced Handling engineers, its in-house technical team and the Wienerberger operators worked on several different designs before creating the final solution. The result – developed, manufactured and installed by Advanced Handling – is a bespoke weightless manipulator based around fellow group company Movomech’s proven lifting technology.
The solution has been designed to lift and rotate around multiple axes, a variety of tile moulds. A framework and railing system, bespoke to the restricted work area, again designed in-house by Advanced Handling, helps to make moving around the space more ergonomic and efficient. However, the design is also simple enough for Wienerberger to handle maintenance in-house. A duplicate, backup unit removes the need to stop production during maintenance or if there is a fault. The whole project took eight months from initial concept to sign off including design, prototyping and final installation.
The Benefits
The Advanced Handling solution at Wienerberger has transformed health and safety in the company’s tile manufacturing process and made it much easier for operators to work. The solution has far exceeded Wienerberger’s expectations in terms of its lifting and manoeuvring capability, improving health and safety and delivering value for money. For staff who handle the tile moulds, the solution has reduced significantly the threat of accidents and long-term strain injury.
For management, it expands the type of the staff able to perform what used to be a heavy lifting job. Wienerberger sees the Advanced Handling solution as a significant showpiece for the business. It has been entered it into an industry innovation award with manufacturers from around the world visiting the plant to see it in action.
Explore our Movomech Solutions
If you’re facing a similar challenge in your workplace, contact us on 01778 345 365 or email [email protected] & we’ll be happy to help.
We have a duty of care to ensure the workplace is safe for staff. So far in tile production we’ve never had an accident, but as demand has grown and the type and size of tile has expanded, we realised that the risk of an accident was increasing. Also, the lifting equipment was becoming difficult to use, inaccurate and cumbersome.
Rob Jennings - Production EngineerSimilar Case Studies
Need a bespoke solution for your business?
Get expert advice from our solutions team by calling +44 (0) 1778 345 365 or emailing [email protected].
