Bridge and Rail

Pictured to the right is a simple example of a bridge and rail system.  Bridge and rail systems can be this simple, or they can be coupled with intelligent assist devices, and be hundreds of feet long, used to move loads from one part of a plant to another part of a plant.  The rails can be anchored to custom engineered supports or, where permitting, directly to the building steel.  

Bridge and rail systems give you complete x-y handling capabilities within the boundaries of the system.  For moving the part in the z direction an electric hoist, pneumatic balancer or possibly an Intelligent Assist Device will need to be mounted to the bridge.  

Some of the most exciting advancements in this technology in recent years has come from the introduction of the IAD or Intelligent Assist Device.  These devices, like the Cobotics iLift and iTrolley are capable of completely automating your bridge and rail system.  Both the iLift and iTrolley are microprocessor controlled devices with the built in capability to negotiate pre-programmed paths from one plant position to another.  For example, an operator must send a large part to one of three locations; A, B or C.  With the iLift and iTrolley, they can simply pick the part up, then push a button marked "A", then push the "Go" button and the lift will adjust the load to the configured height and the trolley will move the part to the "A" position, even if the position is thousands of feet away.  Once there, the operator unloads the part, then tells the trolley to move back to the Home position and then he pushes the "Go" button and the trolley comes back to its starting position, ready for the next part.

Often the bridge and rail system can be the most economical method of ergonomically transporting items from point A to point B.  There are many types of bridge and rail systems and you can see some of them on the link provided.  You will also notice that the supplied link has may types of trolleys, but not the iTrolley from Cobotics that is an Intelligent Assist Device.  If you would rather see Intelligent Assist Devices, like the G-Force from Gorbel, or the iTrolley, iLift from Cobotics, then follow this link.  The use of any of these systems is an ergonomic step in the right direction for your employees.

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