Double Duty = Double Trouble

Problem: A manufacturer needed to sort and grade raw materials before delivery by forklift to process. Seven forklift drivers followed a loop of sort, grade, pick and place – driving and hopping on and off their forklifts to keep things moving. Timing was off, the drivers constantly moved out of dedicated safe zones, and bottlenecks occurred due to the double duty of sort and drive.

Smith Machine Worx Solution: A new workflow utilized custom automation created with racking bays, belt and chain conveyor and hydraulic lifts to allow continuous visual grading and sorting by two dedicated operators. A reduced number of forklift drivers stayed in their seats picking and placing.  The custom automation made the process faster, safer, more ergonomic, and more productive.