Ergonomic Lifter Reduces Back Strains in Manufacturing Environments

A lift-assist device designed by Cynergy Ergonomics has proven to reduce back strain and the worker's compensation claims that accompany them for a manufacturer of heavy duty automotive and truck batteries.

The lifter allows a single operator to lift 150-pound lead battery plates, re-orient them vertically, and move them to an adjacent workstation for further processing. After installation of the ergonomic lifting device, however, claims have stopped and lost-time incidents have been eliminated. In addition to handling production parts, ergonomic lifters are ideal for work-in-process components, finished goods, pack-out areas, raw materials stock or items that are heavy, bulky or cumbersome to move manually.

Because there is no longer a lifting component to this position, company officials have re-classified this job so that it can be filled by any worker in the plant.

Cynergy Ergonomics engineers studied the issue, along with the plant environment and utilities available prior to recommending a solution. The resulting lifter uses a pair of pneumatic grippers, which grab the load while horizontal. When the operator presses the "attach" button, the grippers close onto the load and allows the part to pitch to vertical as the operator lifts the parts from the machine. The load is then moved to the adjacent workstation where the operator hits the "release" button, which opens the grippers and releases the load. After releasing, the grippers automatically orient from horizontal to vertical in time to begin the next cycle.

To see a video showing this ergonomic lifter, see http://cynergyergonomics.com/battery-plate-manipulator-liftpitch-system.

For more information contact:

Cynergy Ergonomics Inc.

13144 Barrett Meadows Drive

Ballwin, MO 63021

314-304-0221

www.cynergyergonomics.com