Sometimes streamlining your workflow and boosting your operational efficiency is as simple as removing obstacles.
The conveyor systems in warehouses are a perfect example. Warehouse spaces often wind up being divided by long conveyor runs that can unintentionally function as barriers to efficient movement, while creating undesirable congestion around work zones.
And in many warehouses, it’s common for control boxes or panels to be surrounded by conveyors, potentially hampering access for maintenance work and slowing down repairs or adjustments when minutes count.
As a result:
- Employees lose time and productivity by going around systems.
- Accessing controls and other key equipment becomes unnecessarily difficult.
- Maintenance response time slows down.
- Some workers may attempt unsafe shortcuts to avoid long detours.
The good news is there’s a safer and smarter way to create the kind of shortcut that can reliably boost convenience, speed, and productivity for employees: spring-assisted lift gates, like the Ultimation Spring-Assisted Gravity Conveyor Lift Gate, which give you walk-through access across gravity conveyor lines.
How Spring-Assisted Lift Gates Work
Spring-assisted lift gates provide an affordable way to maximize flow, flexibility, and safety in your warehouse layout with minimal effort and investment. They work by creating an accessible crossing point that team members can access at will.
And they’re designed to be easily installed into existing gravity conveyor systems, with a bolted construction that allows for quick installation without cutting or welding. When the gate is in its closed position, it acts as another section of gravity conveyor that bolts into your conveyor line.
When access is needed, the gate lifts to create walkway access. The spring-retained mechanism provides a smooth controlled movement, with only about 20 lbs. of lift effort needed.
This ergonomic design reduces operator fatigue while creating more streamlined workflows. Unlike motorized systems, spring-assisted lift gates provide a number of key advantages, including:
- Lower cost
- Simpler installation
- Easier operation
- Less maintenance required
For that reason, spring- assisted lift gates serve as an economical alternative to more expensive and complicated motorized slide-open gate systems.
A Triple Win: Boosting Flow, Flexibility, and Safety
Spring- assisted lift gates are more than just a convenience. With a little bit of advance planning and care, they can transform your operations, boosting flow, flexibility, and safety.
1. Flow
Spring- assisted lift gates maximize ease of movement throughout warehouse facilities, with reduced travel time. That results in a better operational flow, as well. It’s also easier to make changes as needed.
2. Flexibility
At the same time, spring- assisted lift gates boost the flexibility of your operations, by allowing for conveyor pathways that are adaptable and dynamic. That makes it easier to adapt workflows to changing circumstances — allowing your business to scale up, rearrange, and rise to new challenges with greater agility.
3. Safety
OSHA safety rules understandably forbid risky maneuvers like crawling through systems and climbing over or under conveyors, no matter how tempting that might seem to a team member who’s pressed for time.
And of course, a shortcut that results in downtime due to an injury or damage to equipment is the opposite of a timesaver. Fortunately, spring-assisted lift gates rule out the need for unsafe climbing or crawling.
Everyone loves a shortcut — especially one that’s well-planned and efficient. As a tool that lets your team members safely take advantage of the shortest distance between two points, spring-assisted lift gates can help your business get where it’s going faster and more efficiently as well.
Ultimation’s team of experts is ready to help you get the most of the latest innovative warehouse solutions. If you’re ready to take your operations to the next level , get in touch with us to discuss the possibilities.