Blackmer\u00ae is the leading global manufacturer of sliding vane and positive displacement pumps. Their pumps and compressors provide product transfer solutions for multiple applications in the process, energy, transport, and marine markets. Blackmer operates a 170,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they build all of their pumps. Their manufacturing facility is divided into several sections including the foundry, machining center, vane pump assembly, and compressor assembly.<\/p>\n
In 2012, Blackmer needed to upgrade their production process to optimize output and meet the increasing demands of the global marketplace. They began to shift their manufacturing process away from the traditional production line to incorporate a cell-based plant design. This design helped Blackmer to address the structural issues in the manufacturing system, but they still needed to find an effective material handling solution to accommodate the new process. Blackmer\u2019s production team reached out to Kone Cranes, Inc., a local Spanco distributor, to discuss the best material handling solution to meet their evolving needs.<\/p>\n
For twenty years, workers at Blackmer used more than a dozen jib cranes in their work cells to lift and transfer materials from one cell to another. The jib cranes were used to load castings, steel fixtures, and externals in the foundry area and then transfer them to the machining center where they were prepared for assembly. They also used jib cranes to transfer seals, plates, and vanes made from cast iron and carbon graphite to their assembly areas. The use of multiple jib cranes in each work cell required maximum floor space and manpower. As the company expanded, their need for a more comprehensive material handling solution grew. After a careful assessment of their manufacturing operation, Kone Cranes, Inc. suggested workstation bridge cranes from Spanco.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-1582","case_study","type-case_study","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n