Types of coil handling devices - Crosby Airpes

Moving coils on a horizontal surface

When moving the coils through the storage space, one option is to move them on transfer carts.

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Transfer carts have many advantages for handling any coil: they cause low noise levels and are safe and easy to operate and maintain.

There are two types of transfer carts with which you can move all kinds of coils, such as metal coils, paper coils, etc.

• Steerable transfer carts: this type of transfer cart can move freely.
• Transfer cart on a rail: they can move in a single direction.

Both of them can have a JIB to lift the materials without needing overhead cranes.

For handling coils, the most common option is a battery-powered transfer cart with four-wheel drive, but, in Crosby Airpes, we can adapt the design to almost any use, like for special ATEX applications. Transfer carts can also be designed considering de inclination degree of the floor in the case that the warehouse has ramps.

We can also adjust the operation parameters, components, and vehicle options to your custom needs under request. Look at this on-demand solution: a transfer cart for 60 tones coils.

C-Hooks-style lifters for coils

A C-Hook lifter is easy to maneuver and needs less maintenance since there are no moving parts.

For comfortable control, the aisles in the warehouse where it is used must be as wide as the lift arm, plus a few inches of clearance. It must also ensure enough space for the C-Hook to move in all necessary directions without being obstructed.

Crosby Airpes’ C-Hook-style lifters are safe, efficient, and quick devices for handling coils. They are designed to meet every customer’s load configuration, weight, lifting area, and headroom requirements. Also, you can transform your C-Hook on a scale with our weighing systems.

Find out more about our C-Hooks for lifting metal coils.

Two-arm coil grab: coil lifting tongs

A coil lifting tong is one of the most efficient ways to handle coils of different sizes, thanks to its adjustable arms. They are perfect for increasing the number of coils you can store in designated floor space. The only space requirement is a little margin for each arm of the grab on each side of the coil.

Their designs are scalable in lifting capacity. The only limit is the crane’s lifting capacity, where the tong will be installed. Another factor to consider is the headroom when the grab has to work in indoor spaces.

Handling coil, while moving or storing, is a precise process in order to avoid damaging the product or causing injury to the handler. Utilizing the wrong equipment or using the proper equipment incorrectly may adversely impact the quality of the product and/or risk the safety of the individuals involved. Moving the coil properly, storing it efficiently, and utilizing the correct equipment safely is an important part of any construction metal-forming business.

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Equipment

Nelson Miller of Star 1 Products says that coils come into the facilities eye to the sky, meaning the center of the coil is facing upward, or towards the sky. The metal coil is wound around a cardboard core and delivered on a pallet. You need a coil tipper to get the roll eye to the side in order to feed the roll former line. Star 1 Products builds coil pallets and racking used to store the coils eye to the side. Miller states that using a Star 1 Coil Handler is an efficient way to swap out coils on a roll-forming line, minimizing coil damage and cutting down on changeover time.

Martin McVicar, the CEO of Combilift, explains why Metroll added multidirectional forklifts to their fleet as a safer and more efficient solution for roll-forming shops than regular forklifts. “Metroll opted for the Combilift versatile three-in-one counterbalance, side-loader, and reach forklift truck as they can lift coils both eye to the side or sky, by either placing the forks through the center of the coil or by lifting them via pallets or skids. The coils then retracted between the forklift legs distributing 4 to 10 tons of weight evenly over the wheels for a greater load stability. In side-loader mode, the same truck easily carries their roll-formed cladding — up to 50 feet long — through confined areas or doorways while keeping the load low to the ground, improving operator visibility, increasing overall storage density and making their operations much safer.”

Storage Strategies: “Eye to the Sky” or “Eye to the Side”

“We store coils eye to the sky until they are used for roll forming,” Paul Zimmerman of Hixwood describes. Finished coils are stored this way to avoid damage to the painted surface and to maximize storage space, allowing for more tons per square foot of warehouse space.

However, Zimmerman continues to explain that WIP coils, instead, are stored eye to the side. When it is time to slide the coil into the decoiler, the coil is eye to the side so that the mandrel can slide into the eye and decoil, allowing the ability to slit the coil to the size that is needed for the job.

Automated Coil Handling

There are benefits to automated coil handling. There is likely less coil damage when the machine automatically knows where the coil is. The coil is less likely to hit the edge, as the machine comes to and picks up from the same place each time. There is less human error and potentially fewer employees and operators needed altogether.

Other potential benefits include increased speed and uptime; automated machines can work faster than a human operator. Reduced scrap due to more accurate cutting, higher throughput, lower costs, and improved packaging are additional advantages. With the benefits, however, are disadvantages such as the initial costs, lead times, machine problems, maintenance, and potential safety issues.

Common Hazards and How to Avoid Them

Due to their weight and size, handling metal coils can be very risky. McVicar explains that incorrect weight-to-lift ratio calculations can lead to accidents or equipment failures. This may also cause damage during transit, leading to costly downtime if damaged coils are used in machinery. Similarly, Miller suggests using a forklift or truck that is overrated for the weight of the coil, and never underrated, to ensure that the equipment can safely manage the weight. He points out that these coils reach up to 10,000 pounds and could be fatal if they fall on someone.

Zimmerman suggests that one of the most overlooked things about coil safety is that the company should work with their local fire inspector in case of a fire. The company should be upfront with the inspector on where, and how high the coils are stored. It is important to explain this and teach the operators to avoid this area during a fire, due to the fact that pallets would burn out in between the coil stacks. This would likely cause coils to fall through walls, causing harm to employees, firefighters, and/or equipment if in the area.

While acknowledging major hazards, such as fires, Miller reminds us that simple mistakes may severely impact the product, causing severe damage as well. When moving coil off of a rack to the decoiler, if the edge or side is nicked, it can damage a lot of footage of the coil. He explains how one nick or blemish can ruin the whole coil, depending on where the damage is. Quality control is of the utmost importance in order to protect the product quality and production efficiency. To combat this, McVicar explains that their focus is to minimize the number of times a coil is lifted or transported. Double-handling of coils increases the risk of damage and production loss if a damaged coil goes unnoticed. Additionally, Zimmerman strongly suggests that along with initial forklift training for new drivers, there needs to be ongoing refresher trainings to keep awareness of safe forklift practices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s clear that handling and storing metal coils is no minor task, but it is crucial for any construction metal-forming business. The right techniques and equipment can make all the difference, not just in protecting the coils themselves but also in keeping everyone safe on the job.

Regardless of which storage strategy is used, the focus on safety and efficiency should always be front and center. And as we move into a more automated future, it’s exciting to think about the potential benefits, though it’s important to keep in mind the challenges that come with it. 

Don’t forget, common hazards are lurking around every corner, so regular training and a strong safety culture are key. New employees are usually on guard and cautious, but familiarity often leads to complacency. Also, by prioritizing quality control and minimizing double-handling, you can avoid costly mistakes that could derail production.

At the end of the day, being proactive about how you handle coils can boost productivity and help maintain high standards. The best practice is to keep refining processes and ensuring that everyone goes home safe at the end of their shift. RF

For more Coil Handling Equipmentinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.