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

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.