Stacker Style Van Seat Manipulator

The client needed a safe and ergonomic solution for the seat installation process in a van assembly line.

GCI engineered an overhead-mounted stacker manipulator with a custom end effector to engage the seat. The stacker-style lift assist machine provides a small footprint with greater vertical travel than a comparable standard manipulator arm.

The operator mainly utilizes the primary controls when picking up the part and rotating it into place. A second set of controls is available for the operator to get close to the part as it is being aligned to the mounting points within the van.

To prevent the part from being dropped unintentionally, a two-handed safety lever is included on both controls. To further enhance safety, a load sensor will not allow the part to be disengaged until the seat has been set down.