Achieving the higher output, would normally have required the lengthening of the existing assembly line, to accommodate the additional operators needed.
However Perkins had a production area confined by heavily used access gangways that prevented any conventional extension of the existing line.
A parallel assembly line was the acceptable solution, but the gangway separating them still presented its own challenge of how to move product between the new and existing lines, without disrupting the essential truck traffic that used the area. Several options including powered shuttle cars above and below ground were considered and discounted before an acceptable solution was agreed.
The final system selected following design discussions with CI Logistics, was an electrified monorail system that allowed part assembled engines to be automatically lifted from the new assembly line and transferred at high level over to the existing assembly line.
The equipment was to comprise four powered trolley sets all running together on a high level closed loop power track.
Each trolley set would have a self contained powered hoist/carrier arrangement, that could lift and lower the 200 kg engine. The operational sequence is that part assembled engines, complete with their work pallet are powered onto a waiting empty carrier at the ground floor load station on the new assembly line. The loaded carriers are then lifted up to high level by the hoist on the trolley set above.
The trolley set and its load are then powered (at varying speeds to suit the track configuration) around the system to an unload station on the existing assembly line.
Here the loaded carrier is lowered to the ground floor level and the engine discharged onto existing assembly line. Once emptied, the carrier is then fed with an empty assembly pallet to return back to the new assembly line to re-start the cycle.
The whole sequence runs automatically with electrical interlocks at every stage to ensure carriers, loads, hoists and trolley sets are in their correct positions.
Electrical control panels are installed at both ends of the system and provide Perkins engineers with full control of the system by means of coloured HMI devices.
Perkins engineers and CI Logistics worked closely together to design this bespoke system at their Leicester factory. Monorail components are manufactured by Schierholz in Germany.
