Monday, July 31, 2017

Could You Use a Man Lift in your Aerospace Facility?

Safety and reliability are two important aspects of everything Handling Specialty manufactures and when lifting personnel and equipment inside an aero engine test cell, these characteristics remain top of mind.  Secondary anti-collapse systems are employed as well as machine guarding, removable guard rails/gates and telescoping access stair assemblies.   Operator interfaces can range from simple push button style panels to fully integrated, HMI’s and feature rich touch screen displays.  Controls systems can provide real time performance and maintenance data, diagnostic tools, remote troubleshooting, and are interface ready for integration into factory automation systems.

Why incorporate personnel lifts into to your aero engine test cell? The processes required within the test cell are made considerably more efficient and safer when employing a personnel lift.  Technicians and operators are not required to work from ladders or scaffolding and can perform tasks at a correct ergonomic position.

For more information on Handling Specialty’s aero engine test cell lifting solutions, contact Mike Roper.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Vertical Drop Lifters an the Automotive Industry



Designed with redundant safety systems and multiple belts, this mast style
vertical drop lift was engineered to reduce deflection, ensure level and accurate positioning, support cantilevered loads, and offer high-duty cycles. The mast structure supports the lift carriage, while the drive train employs a belt equalization system, operated by an electro-mechanical motor with lock-position actuators. The vertical drop lifter also offers an OSHA compliant upper level personnel access platform and floor mounted devices for ease of access during planned maintenance.

Handling’s field technicians are available to assist in the set-up, installation, and integration of your mast style belt lift, and will train your personnel in the operation and maintenance of the unit(s).
For more on this vertical drop lift, or to inquire                                                                                      
about your own drop lift needs, contact Mike Roper, or visit the webpage.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Need a Show Stopper? Just add Water... and a Stage Lift.

Steeped in decades of experience with multiple entertainment customers, one of Handling Specialty’s ground-breaking achievements has been our ability to provide underwater stage lifts. Many past clients continue to use our custom design company for ongoing projects, such as the Royal Caribbean Cruise line where the aqua-theater on their Oasis class ships is a major draw. We also designed and manufactured the massive circular lifts which offer the Franco Dragone City of Dreams theater show, Dancing Waters, their seamless scene shifts. Add Cirque Du Soleil’s “O” show in Las Vegas, and you have a trifecta of world renown companies who have chosen Handling Specialty for our experience and shared vision.


Find out more here: http://www.handling.com/company/blog/show-stopper-just-add-water/

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Turn Tables turn a show into an event


Handling Specialty has multiple examples of turn tables designed to enhance a stage show, or promote a product. The Pacific Repertory Theater in Carmel, CA, is a great example of Handing Specialty’s ability to custom engineer and manufacture a rotating circular (double revolving) stage,  which included both an inner and outer ring.

Handling has also supplied custom lifts which were mounted onto custom rotators manufactured by the client OEM firm, for the display of the Hummer H2 at major auto shows.
There are many case studies of rotating platforms which Handling has imagined, designed and manufactured for multiple industries.


For more Entertainment inspired designs from Vegas shows, to Aqua-theaters on cruise ships, visit our pages dedicated to the Entertainment industry.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Aero-Engine Work Cells - Why Handling Specialty?

Handling Specialty has developed a solid reputation for delivering safe, intelligent and robust material handling equipment to the Aerospace Industry utilized in the assembly, testing and MRO of aero engines.

If your operations require a secure, efficient and reliable method of positioning aero engines, Handling Specialty’s four-post, electro-mechanical lifting systems are a superior alternative to overhead cranes and fixed height stands. These systems also offer many ergonomic and safety benefits in that technicians can have access to the engine at the correct elevation from ground level.  These vertical work cells are engineered to suit within existing building constraints and layouts.  Systems are designed to be fully self-supporting or can be tied into a building’s existing architecture.

Given that each project has different technical and scope requirements, Handling Specialty’s creative engineering team collaborates with its clients from conceptual engineering through detailed design.  In addition to a comprehensive inspection and validation process, all equipment undergoes thorough performance testing and each client is invited to participate in a full factory acceptance test prior to shipment.  Turnkey installations, onsite training, maintenance, spare parts and technical support are routine activities provided by Handling Specialty’s Professional Services Group.  A highly skilled and dedicated work force delivers innovative solutions, exceptional professional support, world class credentials and an unmatched experience.

Handling Specialty is considered the premier source of custom engineered lifting systems utilized in aero engine assembly and test applications which celebrate safety and efficiency.  For more information on this production proven technology or to learn more about Handling Specialty’s expertise with custom engineered material handling solutions, please contact Mike Roper at 906-945-9661 ext. 234 or via email.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Four-Post Mechanical Lifting Equipment in Automotive Assembly


Watch the Video Here.

Looking for a mechanical lifting device which will assist in your end of assembly line duties? These four-post lifts were developed for that purpose for our client to inspect small tractors and utility vehicles once the assembly process is complete.

This four-post electric lift is raised and lowered with heavy-duty chains, offering reliable cycles through the lift and lowering process. Fitted with limit switches and locking devices, this four-post lift can stop at any height to aid in the inspector’s work. 

This four-post lift plays a vital role in our client’s assembly facility. Handling Specialty houses custom designs, engineering, manufacturing, installation and services under one roof. Visit our website or contact mroper@handling.com to learn more about this important piece of your assembly puzzle.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Replace Dangerous Scaffolding with Safe and Efficient Personnel Lifts

Handling Specialty has built Personnel lifts for multiple industries including Aerospace. Designed for Aerospace to assist in painting cells or assembly facilities in order to ergonomically place the workers around the products without the time-consuming set-up and tear-down required by scaffolding. Personnel lifts also aid in the safety of the workers and can be engineered to move people into place without compromising the production line movement.

These multi-faceted machines can become stationary assets in a work cell, or translate in and out of the area on wheels. From assembling airplane bodies, engines and landing gear, to massive painting cells, nothing assists the worker like a personnel lift. Nothing helps the work get done more efficiently then a custom engineered Manlift.

Handling Specialty has the experience and the talent to design a Personnel lift which will satisfy your specific application needs.

Personnel lifts also work well in ship building and submarine assembly as well as maintenance and repair tools.

Case studies are available for multiple versions in multiple designs for a myriad of industries and applications. Handling Specialty has been in business since 1963 and builds AGV’s and MGV’s for some of the most demanding functions.

To better understand whether your facility could benefit from a personnel lift system, contact mroper@handling.com for more information.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Automotive Operations Require a Vertical Drop Lifter


A Vertical Drop Lifter is a machine which can be used to move products automatically from one level to another. The technology which drives it can be as simple or as advanced as a client prefers.

Handling Specialty vertical drop lifts are custom designed for virtually any size load to meet each customer’s specific application needs with back-up anti-collapse safety systems. A vertical drop lifter from Handling Specialty will also communicate with a client’s mainframe controls simply and effectively to ensure proper operation during every cycle.

Feed and discharge your product efficiently and with the peace of mind only Handling Specialty can offer with its engineered to order vertical drop lifters, designed to lift and move your application’s weight requirements with its vibration-free movement – which is a Hallmark in Handling’s vertical drop lifters - offering a smooth ride, ensuring the product arrive undamaged from one level to the next.


For more information, or to ask about a quote, contact Mike Roper

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

How do I move from a manual assembly line to automated?


A question we hear a lot from our customers is: How do I move from a manual assembly line to one which is more automated? And then: How do I do this without major interruptions and/or major cost to my assembly line? Is downtime in my manufacturing, assembly plant, or warehouse unavoidable in making the switch from a manual system to an automated one?
Automatically Guided Vehicles now run along smart tape, and are no longer required to be embedded into the concrete floor of the facility, which immediately saves you time and money and the headaches of downtime while your existing building goes through renovations. AGV’s also run to a pre-determined program written during the manufacturing process in coordination with the client, so the AGV’s hit your lines running.



 
A Manually Guided Vehicle is one guided by an operator who uses a hand-held control to move the unit through its steps. This controller can either be attached to the MGV by a cord or as a wireless remote control. In choosing an MGV you will experience the freedom and ergonomic advantages to moving product from one end of the line or facility to the other.  Our MGV’s are already equipped with most of the AGV hardware so you can translate from manual to automatic for very little money and minimum effort.  
Case studies are available for both versions in multiple designs for a myriad of industries and applications. Handling Specialty has been in business since 1963 and builds AGV’s and MGV’s for some of the most demanding functions.
To better understand whether your facility could benefit from an AGV or MGV system, contact mroper@handling.com for more information and be sure to ask us about our demonstration unit.
 
 

Friday, January 6, 2017

Underwater Stage Lifts Engineered to Inspire Innovation


Handling Specialty's work on the aquatic stage lifts for Cirque du Soleil’s “O” show in Las Vegas continues to inspire innovation in entertainment with a new Virtual Reality, 360o, 12-minute, 3D video. Discover more here: http://www.handling.com/company/news/underwater-lifts-continue-to-inspire/