Mallard’s “How It Works” Examines Pneumatic Pop-Up Device Operation
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Mallard’s pneumatic pop-up device can be installed in a pallet flow lane to improve pick rates, operational flow and warehouse safety. The two most common applications for the pneumatic pop-up pallet separator device are:
- Install in a pallet flow lane with an Ergo Cell Lift Table at the pick aisle
- Install within a standard pallet flow lane to serve as a pallet separator that will not require a foot-triggered release
There are several key features of the pneumatic device that when coupled with these lane configurations produce measurable picking operation benefits.
When pallet flow is paired with the Ergo Cell Lift Table the pneumatic controls are used to elevate the front pallet on the lift table to a more comfortable height for the picker. By elevating that pallet, a more ergonomic position is created for the employee reducing the risk of repetitive motion injury and increasing the efficiency of the pick.
The pneumatic control comes into the picture to serve as a hold-back device for the rear pallets and allow the front pallet to be positioned unencumbered onto the Ergo Cell Lift Table. When the pneumatic pop-up device is engaged the pallets are held back and then when it is released, the pallets are free to flow forward automatically replenishing the pick table from the reserve pallets in the pallet flow lane.
When you are not using the Ergo Cell Lift Table for a case pick operation, the pneumatic pop-up device can also be used in place of a traditional, foot-triggered pallet separator. For example, if you need to release the rear pallets to flow forward from a forklift, the pneumatic controls can be placed at an easy to reach position to enable the driver to simply reach out and disengage the device once the front pallet has been secured.
To make it very simple to understand the operational steps for the pneumatic pop-up device in either scenario, Mallard has created a downloadable Guideline Sheet with the following steps outlined:
Pneumatic Pop-Up General Operation Guidelines:
- With zero air supply, both sets of pop up cylinders remain in the up or fail/safe position.
- When the system is charged, the pop ups at the discharge end remain up and the pop ups in the holdback position are retracted, allowing the pallets to flow down the lane.
- When the push button is depressed, the discharge set of pop-up cylinders is retracted and the holdback cylinders move into the up position; this operation releases the pallet in the #1 discharge position to the discharge location and holds back pallet #2 from the underside of that pallet.
- These holdback cylinders remain in the holdback position until the pneumatic timer bleeds down, at which time the cylinders change position again; when this occurs the #2 pallet moves into the #1 discharge position and the index transfer process starts all over again.
Take a look at the pneumatic pop-up device in an Ergo Cell Lift Table configuration in our animated video (below left). For comparison, the animated video on the right depicts the operation of the traditional foot-operated case-pick pallet separator.
As you can see there are many options to optimize your case-picking application because we understand that every operation is unique. We have also engineered custom applications using the pneumatic pop-up pallet separator device, so give us a call and let’s discuss your warehousing challenges and operational concerns and so you can start seeing improved efficiency with measurable results.
1-800-243-6694 US Only
1-815-625-9491
info@mallardmfg.com