Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

LINAK linear actuators let one manufacturer help another make ergonomic assembly tables

By Lisa Eitel | May 16, 2017

Share

Recently, Schneider Electric in the Netherlands consulted the Dutch ergonomics company Krikke de Wit Technische Tiloplossingen to lessen the physical burden of employees on their production line. Workers handling server racks and steel computer patch cabinets needed adjustable and tilting assembly tables to boost production and stay safe from overburdening and injury.

Tilting assembly tables at the Schneider Electric facility in Helmond in the Netherlands protect workers from injury.

Schneider Electric assembles these racks at subsidiary locations all over the world, and each location has its own solution for the task. But the Dutch subsidiary went the furthest in this connection, according to Geert Krikke, the director of Krikke. The new assembly tables eliminate physical burden and include a timer, so tilting can’t be performed too many times within a set period. This regulates employee work pace and even slows it sometimes — and that improves product quality, said Krikke.

The assembly tables have CE certification, and their controls read what type of server rack is being assembled. Then (to prevent accidents) they stop the tilt function if retention-clip positions don’t match the rack dimensions. LA36 actuators from LINAK (controlled by a PLC) adjust and tilt the assembly tables.

Adjustable tables let employees safely set working height and move server racks and steel computer cabinets for assembly.

Because the LINAK LA36 actuators deliver high force, they must be handled in a very deliberate manner — so the operator controls install more than an arm’s length from the assembly table.

The tilt function also activates with two hands.

Control through the PLC allows other adjustments to boost safety, including work-height settings; a countdown to the next tilt routine and counter reset; a readout displaying which model of Schneider Electric cabinet is being assembled; a fault readout; an icon representing the tilt height a safe-to-tilt indicator; an emergency stop; and controls.

In fact, the LINAK LA36 actuators’ compatibility with PLCs means they’re simple and cost effective — and LA36s allow parallel control for synchronization of lifting from both assembly-table sides. The electric actuators deliver the required power to make height adjustments and tilting. For more information, visit linak-us.com.


Filed Under: Actuators, Linear motion • slides, Safety systems + components

 

About The Author

Lisa Eitel

Lisa Eitel has worked in the motion industry since 2001. Her areas of focus include motors, drives, motion control, power transmission, linear motion, and sensing and feedback technologies. She has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is an inductee of Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society; a member of the Society of Women Engineers; and a judge for the FIRST Robotics Buckeye Regionals. Besides her motioncontroltips.com contributions, she also leads the production of the quarterly motion issues of Design World.

Tell Us What You Think!

Related Articles Read More >

LM76-SPEED DEMON EL300 4x5x300
LM76 SPEED DEMON EL300 for high speed, low friction, smooth linear motion
Stainless steel linear guide rail systems
LWLF2_FAM
IKO’s New LWLF2 Miniature Linear Guides
igus introduces self-lubricating toothed belt axis designed for clean use in food technology

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development
  • How to Increase Rotational Capacity for a Retaining Ring
  • Cordis high resolution electronic proportional pressure controls
  • WAGO’s custom designed interface wiring system making industrial applications easier
  • 10 Reasons to Specify Valve Manifolds
  • Case study: How a 3D-printed tool saved thousands of hours and dollars

Design World Podcasts

May 17, 2022
Another view on additive and the aerospace industry
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings