Cart Protects Unpackaged and Kitted Parts from Warehouse to Production Floor
A medical device manufacturer was faced with the problem of safely transferring various sized and shaped unpackaged parts and components as well as some kitted parts from its warehouse kitting and staging departments to a variety of positions on its production floor and assembly areas. Because the parts, components and kits varied in size, weight and shapes, they needed vehicles that would be able to accommodate this variety plus be easy to load and unload.  They came to Creform Corporation, Greer, SC, looking for a solution.Â
Creform designed and built a fleet of pushcarts that support mixed model and small batch production of a variety of products. The unique design incorporates use of flexible plastic shelving to create individual compartments providing an economical and efficient way to protect and transport the unpackaged and kitted parts. Presenting parts in an organized manner without packaging saves associates time and assembly floor space by not having to handle boxes and dunnage.
The carts are designed and built using the Creform System of plastic coated steel pipe and metal joints, which allow them to be easily modified if required. The carts feature sixteen 17" wide x 17" high x 22" deep compartments with sturdy plastic floors and 5" right and left hand sides for part separation and retention. The shelves' envelope accommodates all the unpackaged as well as kitted parts. Four levels of shelves are in the product presentation ergonomic "strike zone".Â
The carts have a 500 lb load capacity, measure 72" W x 18" D x 60" H and have good strength and rigidity thanks to angle bracing and the crisscross pattern the compartments create. They feature four, 4" diameter casters with urethane wheels, two with brakes and two fixed for good directional control and maneuverability.Â
The kitting carts are meeting customer needs by protecting unpackaged parts from part-to-part contact while providing a safe, secure and organized method of delivering them from kitting and warehouse areas to assembly production points.
By modifying the caster arrangement and adding a hitch, the carts could be towed by an AGV or manned vehicle. The carts are available assembled or in kit form. A wide selection of pipe colors and types is available including ESD pipe for static sensitive products.Â
Creform structural components are used to create an array of material handling and efficiency enhancing devices, including push, hinged shelf and trailer carts, flow racks, roller conveyors, workstations, and AGV/AGCs. The Creform System is a proven component in continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing programs, and the company partners with customers in developing and implementing these programs.
Online at www.creform.com
Creform is a registered trademark of Yazaki Kako Corporation and Creform Corporation
