TPT March 2009

H andling & P ackaging T echnology

Four-way solution for non-ferrous extrusion supplier

Atlet Limited, UK, has supplied its Forte UFS four-way reach truck to Doré Metal Services, UK, a supplier of a wide range of non-ferrous and special metal extrusions, including aluminium, brass and stainless steel. This delivery followed a period of consultation with a number of potential lift truck suppliers, including Atlet. Doré Metal Services had recently consolidated its operations into a new 3,000m 2 distribution warehouse. The new building presented an opportunity to optimise handling and storage processes.  Atlet arranged for all of Doré’s drivers to be trained in the use of the new trucks

The company had been using a variety of racking in its existing buildings and wanted to configure the new warehouse with a combination of cantilever and ‘A’ frame racking that offered a flexible and efficient way of storing extrusions, tube, bar and billets up to 6m in length. In the previous operation, conventional counterbalance trucks had undertaken handling. Doré recognised that this would not be practical in the new warehouse because of the racking density and aisle widths required to achieve the maximum storage capacity. The Forte UFS four-way can be driven forwards, backwards and sideways because all three wheels can swivel. This makes it highly manoeuvrable in a confined warehouse environment, and suitable for handling long loads and different racking types. During the selection process, Doré Metal Services had identified that a side loader truck would not offer the flexibility or performance required to support its busy operations. The company was making a

six-figure investment in the racking alone, and wanted to ensure it achieved the best possible performance. Atlet recognised that a vital issue was the configuration of the racking and the aisle widths to ensure the maximum storage capacity and efficiency from the available cube space. “ Aisle widths are critical because we wanted to get more in the warehouse but with flexibility and potential for future growth, ” commented Mr Mike Lane, managing director of Doré Metal Services. Doré’s original plan had been to have a series of aisles running along the whole length of the building. However, Atlet suggested the inclusion of a transit aisle running across the middle of the warehouse, as this would reduce the average distance the truck would move to complete each handling task. The aisle reduced overall storage capacity but this was more than offset by improvements in efficiency and productivity. The transit aisle also formed a convenient boundary between the cantilever racking at one end of the warehouse and the ‘A’ frame racking at the other. The business relies on the ability to pick orders quickly, and the company has also decided to purchase a second truck. Atlet Limited – UK Fax : +44 1844 219220  Doré selected Atlet’s Forte UFS four-way reach truck for its new warehouse

New concept positioner for welding Rotolift, from Sideros Engineering, is a hydraulic positioner and handler used for welding and assembly operations. The ergonomic machine has the capability to perform workpiece lifting and lowering, in addition to inclination and rotation. The workpiece is securely fixed on the horizontal rotary table and handled according to the operator’s needs. The machine is designed to improve operator performance and efficiency, and boost safety conditions. Sideros Engineering claims that production costs can be reduced by 60 per cent, with a consequent production increase. Two versions of the machine are available, one with totally oleodynamic movement, and one with oleodynamic lifting and inclination and electromechanical rotation. Models are available catering to a range of loading capacity requirements. On request, the machine can be supplied with a bronze 600 or 1,500W rotary mass. Sideros Engineering Srl – Italy Fax : +39 0523 524951  Rotolift is available in two base models, and in a range of capacities

Email : estero@siderosonline.com Website : www.siderosonline.com

Email : sales@atlet.co.uk Website : www.atlet.co.uk

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M arch 2009

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