Handling Reels Safely in the Production Process

Reeling handling is a specific task and there are various lifting equipment solutions to support the many applications. Reels are used in most industries from packaging, wrapping materials and then to reels which are specific to an industry such as commercial printing, textile reels and cable spools.

When identifying the right solution to improve safety during lifting, moving or changing reels, there are a number of critical factors to consider. Established materials handling manufacturer Advanced Handling recommends reviewing each stage of the production process, the weight of the reels and whether the reel requires lifting from the outside or at its core. The frequency of the process is also a critical factor as this has an influential impact on the operational specifications required.

For reels weighing up to 225kg which require mobility across different processing locations, a lightweight solution comes from the Advanced Handling PRONOMIC lifting trolley. The PRONOMIC Lift&Drive models are built with flexibility throughout their design, with a number of configurations and accessory options. In applications where the reel requires lifting horizontally from the front or side the PRONOMIC V Block fixes on a battery operated platform and can be fixed or adjusted to rotate from front to side.

Other tooling options for front and side loading of reels are available as PRONOMIC Product Manager, Rebecca Dilloway-Jones explains; “Our customers over the years have approached us with a mix of reel handling requirements, and many are very specific to their application. With the PRONOMIC lifters we’re able to offer a range of tooling from booms, roller platforms to more sophisticated technology from the Expand&Turn and Squeeze&Turn attachments.”

For applications which require both vertical and horizontal reel lifting, the PRONOMIC Squeeze&Turn and the Expand&Turn tools offer smooth and accurate manipulation including 360 degree rotation. The Squeeze&Turn tooling clamps around the outside of the reel, whereas the Expand&Turn is pneumatically operated and grips from within the core. Both are controlled by a joystick on the lifting trolley frame.

To maximise productivity during repetitive handling of reels, for example at the end of production lines, the use of overhead lifting equipment provides an ergonomic alternative. Options include a floor or wall mounted crane or a complete installed overhead rail system. The Movomech Mechline has tooling options for reel handling using a pneumatic core gripper, gripping and releasing at the touch of a button, allowing the operator to lift and move to the next position all with a smooth and weightless action.

For reels over 225kg, Advanced Handling have onsite facilities to deliver alternative solutions including their award winning Voyager range of stackers which can handle loads up to 1000kg.

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