Case Study: Automotive Damper Driveshaft Assembly Lift Assist

Application: Automotive Damper Driveshaft Assembly Lift Assist

Problem: Customer had a model change and their current tool no longer would work once parts were shipped in from overseas. Since the drawings did not match the sample parts, engineering was in a bind and needed 4 tools within a month.

Requirement: Pick up customer's damper and driveshaft assembly and deck them to the vehicle slowly moving down the assembly line. The driveshaft and damper assembly weighed close to 80 pounds when assembled, and were being attached to the moving vehicle every 20 seconds.

Solution: Because of the high cycle application, we looked for the easiest way to grip the part. In this case, we came up with a simple mechanical lift assist which trapped the part around a center tab, using a secondary mechanical clamp around the damper for stability. The clamp/trap device around the tab on the shaft was manufactured out of UHMW in order to prevent product damage. The tool was integrated with a Zimmerman air balancer allowing for feathering of the lift assist at pick up and set down.

Mechanical ergonomic lift assist to lift customers damper/driveshaft assembly for the automotive industry. The simplistic mechanical tool integrated with an air balancer was a perfect fit for this high cycle application.

Result: The customer received the four lift assist tools within the month delivery time frame. SolidWorks drawings were provided for approval, giving the customer a very good idea of how the lift assist tool would operate. The combination of a high speed balancer and a simple mechanical lift assist was a good match for this high cycle application.

Ergonomic Partners can come to your facility and provide an on-site lifting demonstration of the Gorbel G-Force. Please contact us today.

 

Ergonomic Partners services, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Iowa, and Oklahoma.