Challenge: A hydraulic manifold manufacturer, a supplier to first-tier automotive suppliers, sought to ease the process to manually assemble, test, and then box its hydraulic manifolds. Assembled manifolds weigh several hundred pounds, and the assembly process subjects the guidance system to a large amount of oil and some dirt and metal chips.
Application Description: A ring and track system is used to guide the manifold through the assembly process. Carriages are moved from station to station manually.
Solution: Given the large load and messy environment that the guidance system is subject to, guide wheel technology was the logical choice. It is impervious to any of the contaminants it might be subjected to, and the low friction makes it very easy for the operators to move the large weight from station to station.
