Getting the most from your material handling efforts

Enclosed track workstation cranes can help manufacturers improve productivity on the shop floor. Images: Gorbel Inc.

U.S. manufacturing is at an interesting point in early 2021. Although some sectors of the economy are still crawling out of a deep hole as a result of the pandemic, domestic manufacturers are still in expansion mode, according to the Feb. 1 report from the Institute for Supply Management. The PMI registered 58.7, which marked the eighth month in the row of economic expansion. (Anything over 50 indicates expansion, and anything below that mark is economic contraction.)

This puts metal fabricators in the awkward position of trying to keep up with current production orders while simultaneously preparing for future opportunities that come with a rebounding economy. Throw in the challenge of finding skilled labor interested in working in a manufacturing environment, and manufacturers have an uphill climb ahead of them.

These are the moments when owners and managers of metal fabricating companies need to ask themselves what they can do to help their employees work more efficiently. The best way to get more productivity out of a workforce is to work smarter, not necessarily harder.

Material handling is one area that a shop should look at, particularly when it comes to workstation material handling. Gorbel Inc., a manufacturer of cranes and material handling technology, suggests in a new e-book that implementation of enclosed track workstation cranes can make a huge difference in a fabricator’s productivity.

For example, these types of cranes, which can accommodate loads from 150 to 4,000 lbs., are much easier for workers to use. This is especially important in manufacturing as the workforce has a large share of people 50 and older in its ranks. The enclosed track design of this workstation crane keeps the tracks clear of dirt and debris, which reduces friction of the trolley’s running surface and makes the crane easier to move when compared to traditional heavy-duty cranes.

Also, this type of crane has a high strength-to-weight ratio that makes it easy to maneuver. To validate these points, Gorbel refers to a study by the Rochester Institute of Technology that found fewer than one in 10 men are able to safely handle a 4,000-lb. load using a manual I-beam crane. An enclosed track workstation model was found to be safely used by 99% of men.

The cranes also can be installed quickly and cost-effectively, according to Gorbel officials. Most facilities can use their existing foundations if they have standard reinforced concrete flooring. The crane’s footprint is small, which contributes to the fast installation.

To learn more about enclosed track workstation cranes, download the new Gorbel e-book.

Gorbel officials claim that these types of enclosed track systems can boost productivity by 28% or more when compared to the use of heavy-duty I-beam cranes. It’s something to explore as manufacturing comes to grips with an economy that is going to heat up in the second half of 2021.

These enclosed track material handling systems don't have a large footprint and can be installed quickly because they typically don't require adjustments to a shop's foundation.