Are you looking for a way to reduce employee injuries and increase productivity?
Whatever your application, 3arm® has a variety of lift assist devices that fit your manufacturing needs. Whether the task involves heavy lifting in a pick-and-place task or toolholding, 3arm has your back.
The Benefits of 3arm Zero Gravity Arms in Manufacturing
Increased Safety: 3arm toolholding arms hold the tool weight and absorb torque reactions, reducing operator fatigue and the chance of injury or strain.
Increased Productivity: 3arm arms provide Zero gravity operations that result in increased productivity and precision.
Increased Versatility: 3arms allow full range of motion required to complete any task more accurately, safely and efficiently.
There are a range of options when it comes to ergonomic manipulators and lift assist devices for manufacturing. The right option for you will depend on your operations and production goals.
>> 7 Signs You Need a Lift Assist Arm or Manipulator in Your Facility
Operations managers in manufacturing know how hard it is to retain quality employees. With many getting closer to retirement age, it’s even more critical to ensure your skilled help isn’t injured on the job, and knows your organization values their health.
3arm has become vital for manufacturers, assemblers, CNC facilities, and job shops and is used in the following industries: machining, fabrication, welding, construction, aerospace, assembly, automotive, chemical, metrology, painting, food processing, marine maintenance and more. Here are just some of the many applications 3arm ergonomic arms are providing benefits:
Industry-Specific Applications of 3arm Ergonomic Arms
Torque Arms for Automotive Assembly Lines:
3arm units are used extensively in automotive assembly lines, where they manage torque reactions during fastening tasks. This prevents strain injuries from repetitive high-torque operations, especially in underbody work, which typically leads to shoulder and back strain. The setup alleviates physical stress by supporting both the tool and positioning. Learn how 3arm Improves Automotive Underbody Processes.
Tool Assist for Agricultural Vehicle Assembly:
An agricultural equipment manufacturer used a 3arm setup to reduce vibration exposure from pneumatic hammers used to apply seals to tractor cab glass. The customized arm minimized the impact of vibrations on workers, significantly reducing the risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome. Learn more about the ergonomic benefits of 3arm tool lift assist devices on the assembly line.
Industrial Manipulator Arms for Food Processing:
A major producer of nut oils uses 3arm to maneuver large impact tools when assembling and disassembling heavy augers for their nut pressing machines. This setup allows operators to remove and replace augers efficiently without direct handling of the heavy parts, making the production process less taxing for the operator.
Ergonomics in Construction Industry:
A construction company uses 3arm manipulators to manage heavy connectors for rebar in construction projects. The custom grippers improve safety by reducing manual handling of 30-pound steel parts, minimizing the risk of injuries like pinched fingers. Learn about the Health and Safety Benefits of Manipulator Arms in Manufacturing.
Industrial Articulating Arm for Paint Manufacturer:
At a paint manufacturing facility, operators had to manually hold a heavy hose and nozzle to fill large polymer tanks, a process that took up to 10 minutes. A customized 3arm solution allowed operators to secure the hose in place, minimizing fatigue and freeing them to perform other tasks while the tank fills.
Heavy Duty Torque Arm for Mining and Heavy Equipment Maintenance:
In mining and heavy equipment industries, 3arm provides a stable support for high-torque tools used in truck tire removal, enhancing safety and control. The series 4 and series 7 arms are particularly useful here, with the latter offering increased weight capacity and safety features for managing heavy, high-torque tools in rough environments. See the features of the Series 7 Heavy-Duty Tool Balancer Arm.
The Benefits of 3arm Zero Gravity Arms in Manufacturing
Multi-Step Production with Oddly Shaped Parts:
3arm is used for multiple stages within a production line, from assembly to final packaging. The manipulators ensure safe, ergonomic handling, especially for parts that are heavy, irregularly shaped, or otherwise challenging to position without specialized equipment. Learn how a major manufacturer of motion and control technologies initiated a program to create safe industrial workplaces by reducing employees’ ergonomic risks.
Tool Balancer for Grinding and Polishing Operations:
In industries where operators handle grinders for prolonged periods, 3arm has been found to reduce hand, wrist, and shoulder strain by stabilizing the tools and dampening vibrations. The ergonomic support minimizes repetitive strain injuries and improves overall precision. Create an Ergonomic Plan to Protect, Retain and Attract Employees.
Heavy Duty Articulating Arm for Foundries:
To support heavy lifting and reduce musculoskeletal disorders, several foundries use 3arm manipulators to handle components up to 110 pounds, reducing instances of back injuries. Workers, who might otherwise lift items manually, benefit from 3arm’s capacity to eliminate strain, especially when placing items in hard-to-reach or confined areas where finger injuries are common. Learn the Cost of Workplace Injuries in Manufacturing.
Industrial Articulating Arm for Job Shops and General Industrial Use:
Smaller shops, including metal carport manufacturers and job shops, employ 3arm toolholders to improve tool control and reduce operator fatigue, particularly for high-volume, high-precision tapping and fastening tasks.
Manipulator with Specialized Gripper for Solar Panels
A solar panel manufacturer needed a way for one operator to safely move panels without dropping or damaging them. This also kept the operator safe from cuts and lacerations from any sharp corners. A 3arm Manipulator M5 was installed for operators to easily balance, rotate and tilt Solar Panels to ready for packaging and transport, or to set up and install.
Ergonomic Solutions: Improving Workplace Safety and Productivity
Zero Gravity Tool Balancers for Assembly Line Support:
3arm manipulators provide support for assembly workers by positioning heavy tools and components, especially for high-weight and repetitive tasks. Engineers and shop-floor workers alike benefit from the zero-gravity feature, which alleviates physical strain. Learn how to Improve Assembly Line Efficiency and Safety with Ergonomic Reach and Mobility Solutions.
Manipulator Arms for CNC Operations:
A client approached 3arm to address worker injuries caused by lifting heavy CNC toolholders. 3arm designed a customized manipulator that provides ergonomic support for the operators, reducing strain on employees and meeting state safety standards.
>> Learn how to Maximize Efficiency and Safety at your CNC Machining Center
Ergonomic Tools for Construction:
A major tool manufacturer uses 3arm to test vibration and impact of their tools on the operator. The arm supported the tool with customized holders that could handle the tool’s vibration without transferring excess force to the operator.
Customized Solutions for Diverse Manufacturing Challenges
Multi-Functional Lifter for Defense and Aerospace Clients:
Clients in defense and aerospace utilize 3arm to manipulate large and complex parts (e.g., missile parts, turbine blades) that are sensitive to handling. Custom grippers designed for these applications allow precise orientation and safe handling, even under strict non-disclosure agreements. See how to Achieve Enhanced Ergonomics and Productivity for Aerospace and Defense Machining Centers with 3arm
Ergonomic Arm for Radiation Scanning:
A prominent national laboratory uses 3arm manipulators for their employee screening rooms, where workers must be scanned for radiation exposure. The 3arm allows for consistent scanning across multiple entry points in their facility, enhancing both efficiency and safety in this critical application. In fact, 3arm is now used to securely hold and position a wide variety of scanners.
Sealant and Glue Application:
3arm developed specialized head members for a toolholding 3arm handling caulking guns and sealant dispensers. This customization allows operators to maintain consistent angles for extended periods of time without strain or fatigue, which is essential for precise application in demanding environments.
Mirror Manufacturing (Silver Spraying):
Precise Application of Silver Coating: A customer used a 3arm manipulator with a custom nozzle for spraying silver onto mirrors. This allowed the operator to apply a continuous application of the spray without interruption, which is crucial for even coating.
How to Select the Right 3arm Lift Assist Device for Your Needs?
3arm’s Pick & Place Manipulator arm helps operators with the pick and place function, providing zero-gravity help lifting heavy parts and relieving torque of movement off the operator.
3arm’s series of Toolholding arms can hold torque-driving tools for operators during tightening, bolting, fastening and other applications. By holding the tool, the arm renders it weightless and absorbs the torque reaction.
With a wide variety of head members and grippers, plus mounting and mobility solutions, each 3arm is customized for your tool and application at the factory to optimize the arm for your process and achieve out-of-the-box performance.
Contact our team of experts to help design the ideal zero-gravity arm for your application.
