Case Study: item North America and Rexel USA
Rexel, the world’s leader in distribution of electrical supplies with 2,600 locations and 35,000 employees in 34 North America with the intent of part of their customers an innovative solution
to a packaging problem.
The initial objective was to offer a robust sub-structure or machine base capable of carrying drives, motors, controls, stack lights and related hardware necessary to pack cases of plastic
parts in an injection molding operation.
The changing nature of the packing process meant could change multiple times before completion. Structural aluminum and modular components solved that issue in that additions
or reductions in size and nature can be easily made even after integration and implementation.
Rexel sales engineers provided starting parameters which allowed the item North America engineering department to draft possible designs to meet the end user needs.
item’s 80mm x 40mm structural primary material used in this project due to characteristics similar to two and one half inch by three inch welded steel tubing.
As the project progressed, it was determined that important safety features could be designed directly into the machine base through the use of wire mesh, polycarbonate panels and removable machine access points.
Precision T-slots within the structural aluminum profiles also provided for a quick, labor savings method to attach Rockwell Automation and Allen-Bradley safety switches or light curtains.
The nature of case packing required that machine designers include YZ linear motion, R rotary motion and a tilt & push part ejection system within this sub-structure. Once again, item engineers were able to create custom linear motion and mount a rotary axis device from “off
the shelf” modular components. item engineers were able to use 80mm x 80mm profile, shaft clamp profiles, hardened steel shafts and timing belt reverse units to create a linear actuator on two axis to meet the customer needs. The ability to design and build linear motion actuators from modular “pieces & parts” allows item engineers to meet your exact needs. We don’t over-engineer and we don’t under-engineer…you get a custom design for your exact application.
Use of the item Machine Building System was the perfect mechanical hardware solution to meet the requirements of Rexel USA.
A robust sub-structure, integrated safety solutions and precise linear motion in one compact package… all designed and delivered within a three week window.
Worldwide Availability
item’s worldwide presence assures that modifications, re-configurations or additions to your structural aluminum project can be done quickly and easily utilizing a standard global parts numbering system.
item North America’s Akron Ohio headquarters and multiple North American distribution and service center locations can assist in all phases of planning, design and implementation of your next structural aluminum application.
Cultivate partnerships and develop new markets. item North America offers structural aluminum, modular components and no-cost engineering and design support to meet your most complex application needs.
