Atkin Automation, part of Group Rhodes based in Wakefield, has recently completed a major project to design and manufacture a solution that completely eliminates manual handling in Eltherington’s production process.
Eltherington, the Hull-based manufacturer of aluminium cladding to the Leisure Industry, was looking for a solution which enables them to maintain a quick turnaround between coil changes as, in many cases, just a few blanks are cut from each coil. The ‘A’ frame style de-coiling mandrels designed and manufactured by Atkin Automation mean Eltherington’s production staff can now carry out these regular changes to the coil without operator input, therefore reducing the need for manual handling and enhancing health and safety.
Atkin’s Automation’s solution involved replacing all 13 of Eltherington’s existing ‘A’ frame type decoiling mandrels with the addition of Atkin’s standard two stage mechanical gearbox. When used in conjunction with a torque limited battery or pneumatic hand tool this allows quick change-overs with no physical input from the operators.
Craig Dunn Eltherington’s Group Manufacturing Director, said: “Our operators are delighted with the new mandrels, which have made our changeovers far simpler and improved overall efficiency in our processes. Atkin Automation has met our requirements exactly and we expect to see production output and efficiency increase as a result.”
Geoff Barker, Sales Manager at Atkin Automation, said: “This project is testament to our design and production expertise in creating bespoke solutions to customer issues. There is a need to reduce manual handling in many industrial production processes for enhanced health and wellbeing of the workforce, and this solution for Eltherington shows how we can do this whilst also increasing efficiency.”
Atkin Automation’s units, which have a capacity of up to 2000Kg x 1600mm long, are also balanced so that the lifting points are in the correct position when at rest for transport and loading via a fork lift tine.
The company, originally WT Atkin, is renowned for the high quality of its coil processing line equipment and has a long history of serving both UK and international markets, ranging from automotive and white goods to building products.
Atkin Automation is part of Group Rhodes, an advanced manufacturer of capital equipment for the clay working, metal forming and materials handling industries.
Within Group Rhodes there are a number of businesses which provide original equipment manufacture and aftermarket services for different markets including Rhodes Interform, Hallamshire Engineering Services and Craven Fawcett.
For more information please contact the Rhodes Interform Technical Sales department on + (44) 1924 37 11 61.
