Adaptable Manual Handling Solutions take the strain for your operators!.

As a business owner or manager, dealing with Health and Safety regulations around manual handling Solutions, and the injuries our staff can suffer, is a minefield isn’t it!
Often, we need operators to lift loads that weigh more than the manual handling guidelines allow. As employers, we must comply with the law in this area – the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

We see operators, who have jobs that involve manual handling, suffering from repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). We, of course, need to take care of those staff ethically and fulfill our responsibilities as an employer.

Using more than one person to help lift loads just isn’t cost-effective in the long run and can still lead to health issues. So what is the solution?

Manual Handling Solutions – Equipment Choices

Here at Yaplex we offer a range of manual handling solutions to solve your handling challenges – and we know there is no “one size fits all”. Our range includes:

Zero Gravity Electric Balancers

Benefits:

• Allows for lifting of heavy goods. Multiple standard variants are available.
• Improved cycle time – the fastest lifting device on the market. Offers speeds of up to 2m per second when required.
• Eliminates the need to adjust settings when lifting different weights
• Increases productivity and ergonomics in the workplace
• Allows for total precision when placing loads down, reducing the need for correctional up/down movements.

 

Balance Arm – Pneumatic Manipulators

Benefits:

• Reduces labour costs as will carry loads that would traditionally require two or more operatives to move.
• Eliminates the need to adjust settings when lifting different weights.
• Allows greater accuracy and access of hard to reach areas.
• Model options available to lift weights up to 1500kg.

 

Vertical Balancers – Industrial Manipulators

Benefits:

• Options available to lift and manipulate loads up to 2000kg.
• Allows access to hard to reach areas.
• Saves time and improves productivity.

 

Vacuum Tube Lifters

Benefits:

• Easy to use with little training.
• Requires a lower level of capital investment than other handling systems.
• Simple operation controls provide intuitive operation.
• Reduces risk of damaging products due to the precision single-hand control.
• Move up to 300kg at once with just one operator.
• Extremely flexible and versatile in design.

Electronic/Pneumatic Lift Assists

Benefits:

• Fast and intuitive with lifting speeds up to 36m/min – one of the fastest handling systems available.
• Cost effective to buy and maintain.
• Pneumatic model can be Atex rated allowing use in explosive atmospheres.
• Models available to run on compressed air or 415v electric.
• Multiple standard variants are available, up to 1000kg SWL.
• Eliminates the need to adjust settings when lifting different weights.
• Increases productivity and ergonomics in the workplace.

 

Ergonomic Lifting Trollies

Benefits:

• Customisable to suit your environment: base and lifting mast dimensions; multiple weight capacities; various lift heights.
• Standard lifting forks, hooks or platforms can be provided as standard.
• Custom designed attachments can be supplied for lifting boxes, drums, reels, etc.
• Configure with different types of wheels, brakes, overload protection, fast charge, etc.
• Operator safety features.
• Fixed arm and counterbalance versions available as standard.
• Allows one operator to lift loads greater than 25kg.

 

Conveying Powered & Gravity Roller Conveyors

Benefits:

• Modular design provides flexibility and options for future adaptations.
• Durable, long lasting design.
• Various automation options available.
• Lift / drop sections available to provide ergonomic working height.
• Andon controls to notify management / maintenance / other worker of process or quantity issues (if required)

 

Scissor Lift Tables

Benefits:

• Customisable to suit your environment: base and platform dimensions; multiple weight capacities; various lift heights.
• Configurable with wheels, rollers, turntables or tilting platforms – can even be designed to be installed in a pit.
• Operator safety features.
• Fixed and mobile tables available as standard.
• Improves process ergonomics by reducing the need of bending and twisting.

 

Pick & Place Automated Handling Systems

Benefits:

• Cost-saving solution as speed and ability vastly exceeds those of an operator.
• Accuracy ensures quality and consistency of each product assembled.
• Customisable creating the Pick and Place System to suit your exact requirements.
• Can be integrated into existing production lines.
• Reduces labour requirements

 

All our manual handling solutions reduce the risk of injuries in the workplace.

Whatever your business handles, we can find the solution to automate it and take the risks away from your operators. With reduced injury and manpower requirements, our systems will not only speed up your processes, but also reduce your costs and overheads.

Answers to the three questions we’re asked most often about our products

What happens if the air / power fails?

All Yaplex manual handling solutions are fail-safe and will not release the load in mid-air. All systems feature safety systems such as air blocking vales, irreversible gearboxes or mechanical brakes. Most systems also include product detection sensors, grip OK sensors, and visual indicators for air pressure.

How much does a bespoke dedicated handling system cost?

It greatly depends on the application and the needs of the operator. Basic jib crane systems start around £2k and basic manipulators start from £5k. Intelligent high speed electric and pneumatic manipulators solutions can cost anywhere between £8k – £30k+ depending on specification. Our advice here would be to talk to us so we can give you an estimate for your specific requirements.

Where are your products manufactured?

All systems are designed in-house by highly skilled engineers. Our manufacturing facility is in Clay Cross, Chesterfield. We have a state of the art facility including a machine shop, multiple welding bays, and a large assembly shop with dedicated test area. We are also UK agents for the SAPELEM electric balancer – all bespoke grippers / tooling is designed and manufactured in the UK.

 

A little more about Yaplex Manual Handling Solutions

Our hand-picked team are highly skilled, qualified and experienced engineers within the industry.

We are located centrally in the UK. This makes buy-offs and project meetings cost effective, plus we don’t have expensive shipping costs when sending out sample components, unlike our European competitors. This makes us, more often than not, the most cost effective solution.

We have all the accreditations and insurances you would expect with a company in our industry and take our customer’s experience extremely seriously. We are often asked to sign NDA’s (non-disclosure agreements) and are happy to do so.

Why not head over to our YouTube Channel and see our manual handling solutions in operation!

And you have any questions we’ve not answered in this blog, please have a look around our website or get in touch directly.