Roll Core Shaft Removal Manipulator

The client needed a safe and ergonomic lifting solution to remove a material roll and the core from that roll for operators.

GCI designed a stacker-style manipulator mounted to a bridge crane platform with an OD gripper and cradle. The cradle is utilized to pull out a roll from a machine so the OD gripper can grip the core. Once the core is gripped, an overhead tractor drive powers the lateral motion to help the operator pull it out of the roll.

For lifting, the vertical motion is powered by an electric hoist. The pendant controls for the drives and hoist are integrated alongside the buttons for the pneumatic gripper.