PAPER REEL HANDLING
REEL CHALLENGES & ANSWERS John Bensalhia reviews FLT clamp design for paper reel handling, the challenges and the latest solutions
8 The Port of Tilbury has collaborated on clamp design to meet its specific needs
Due to their composition and size, paper rolls, out of the wide range of paper products produced, need particularly careful handling. In order to avoid potential damage and to maximise safety during the handling and transport by a forklift truck (FLT), port operators need to secure the rolls in place with purpose-built FLT clamp attachments. There are a range of factors involved in choosing the right kind of clamp. Hyster explains that typical attachments used for paper handling include rotating paper roll clamps and non-rotating single and double tower clamps, as well as several other variations depending on a particular application’s needs. A key user elaborates: “One of the main considerations when choosing clamps is flexibility in handling products in respect to diameter and weight,” says John Russell, Asset Manager, UK Paper Hub (Port of Tilbury). “We have clamps varying from 1300mm diameter to 2300mm diameter which can lift up to 7.5 tons. We have single and double tower clamps which enable us to safely handle multiple reels at once.” Cascade and Bolzoni Auramo are, historically, the main brands utilised by the majority of ports and terminals. Both continue to expand and refine their respective product ranges. DAMAGE AND SAFETY A key design consideration is making sure that the clamping force is right. Each case is different, meaning that a one-sizefits-all arrangement won’t work for many reasons. If the force is too great, this can cause damage to the paper reel, which
runs the risk of deforming. If the force is too slight, the reel is likely to slide or drop out of the clamp and suffer costly damage. The reel is also at risk of damage if clamps are placed in weaker locations such as the reel edge. A loosefitting clamp also poses a serious risk to health and safety: “Other than damage, Health & Safety is paramount when choosing the correct equipment,” says John Russell. “Dropping a reel could cause serious injury and could even be fatal.” Clamp design can play a part in reducing risk when working in closed or cramped working spaces. One approach is reducing the size of the clamp arm. Slimline arm designs, as developed by Bolzoni Auramo for example, not only maximise safety but also facilitate easier and more accessible operations in confined spaces. GETTING THE PRESSURE RIGHT In order to alleviate clamp related pressure level problems, innovative solutions in clamp design have been developed. The UK Paper Hub (Port of Tilbury), for example, has worked alongside Cascade and Briggs Equipment on a special clamp project. “We worked collaboratively with Cascade and Briggs equipment to produce a clamp which automatically applies the correct pressure and maintains that pressure even when
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Manufacturers are increasingly coming up with custom-made solutions
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SEPTEMBER 2021 | 53