Industry Solutions: Automotive
APPLICATION:
An Airfloat customer was currently using tooling carts that weighed up to 7000 lbs to move automotive body parts in work cells for welding and measurements. The carts are moved through a work area and must be stabilized using two or more mechanical brakes. After being moved into place during the welding operation, the operators often climb on top of the fixture which causes injury risk if they failed to set the brakes. They must also spin the fixtures 180 deg. in a confined space which can require 4 or 5 operators on the larger carts. They needed a solution that would provide a safer, easier method while giving omni-directional movement and precise positioning in order to transport the parts while stabilizing the load.
SOLUTION:
Airfloat provided a total of (48) 12” Air Skids. Four skids are placed under each tooling cart, replacing the wheels, to move the automotive body parts through the work area. The air skids stabilize the load by setting firmly on the floor, improving operator safety. In addition, the air skids allow the large carts to be easily moved by only the two operators. The air bearing technology also provides omni-directional movement for precise positioning of the load.
BENEFITS: