Structured handling in goods-in

The Company

Screw drives from NEFF have been a hallmark of quality for machines and drives in a wide range of applications for more than a hundred years. These linear drives are used for applications that require the utmost precision, such as in metalworking or medical technology.

NEFF Gewindetriebe GmbH's production programme includes cut, whirled, rolled and ground ball screw drives and trapezoidal threaded spindles. On this basis, the company also manufactures a wide range of screw jacks, dynamic high-speed screw jacks, sliding screw and linear drives.

The constant quest for even better solutions to customer and application requirements is a typical Swabian trait. This has led to NEFF offering a wide range of catalogues as well as a variety of customer-specific special solutions.

Requirement

Growth needs space, so NEFF has expanded production at its main location in Weil in Schönbuch, Germany and built a new building with 3,500 square metres of production, warehouse and office space. Among other things, the goods-in department and the cassette storage for the raw materials for the screw drives also moved to the new premises.

This high-bay warehouse has sufficient space for boxes with bar stock made of high-quality stainless steel. For storage and retrieval, NEFF’s managers were not only looking for a supplier for the appropriate lifting and handling technology, but also for a specialist who could develop and implement an efficient and ergonomic material flow concept for this area. NEFF found this partner in Liebl Krantechnik GmbH.

The solution

The cassette storage facility is supplied and operated by an overhead crane, which allows the filling of the individual cassettes and the removal of raw materials for the screw drives. A Demag DC-Com chain hoist with a load capacity of 2000 kg handles vertical transport tasks that require careful and precise handling: the bar stock made of special stainless steel alloys is extremely valuable. Thanks to its two speeds, a fine positioning speed is available for gentle material transport. The combination of overhead crane and chain hoist makes sense for this work step, as there is no requirement to cover large distances during transportation.

Another overhead crane was installed in front of the cassette storage facility. Its task is to transport individual raw materials from goods-in and the corresponding inspection stations (which include a cutting device) to the storage station. This crane is also equipped with a Demag DC-Com chain hoist, but with a lower load capacity of 1000 kg because only individual components and not complete cassettes are handled here.

A comprehensive handling system from the Demag KBK crane construction kit is used in the upstream or adjacent machining area. Demag DBC chain hoists with a load capacity of 500 kg ensure precise and gentle handling of bar stock and other components, such as the associated nuts, lifting units or drive housings, in a wide working environment.

Special features

So far, the new goods-in, storage and processing area has proven its worth in practice. From NEFF’s point of view, all requirements are met and there is space for higher throughput in the future. Liebl’s planners were also satisfied with this project. Franz Liebl: "We have implemented a well-thought-out process with structured storage and a well-structured material flow, and it has proven that careful joint planning is worthwhile. Neff has placed high demands on ergonomics and efficiency, and aesthetics have also played a role. With the special painting of the crane systems, we were able to paint the steel according to the customer’s wishes and thus contribute to a uniform environment in the working area. It was a pleasure to develop this all-round impressive solution."

There will also be a nextstep: The planning and installation of a gantry crane in front of the goods-in area. This will ensure the efficient and safe unloading of trucks and overhead transfer of goods to the crane and conveyor technology in the hall.

The Demag partner

Liebl Kranbau GmbH has an excellent reputation in the industry and stands for decades of experience and innovative system solutions. And, of course, for Swabian entrepreneurial spirit and unbridled ingenuity. Since the company was founded in 1997, it has been steadily expanding under the management of its founder Franz Liebl. In Ostfildern near Stuttgart, the family-owned company develops innovative and customer-oriented system solutions for crane and handling technology, which the crane manufacturer then produces, installs and maintains at the customer's premises.