Stratalign delivers ‘smarter way’ to handle melamine sheets
Stratalign regularly partners with New Zealand manufacturers to improve productivity, efficiency, and workplace safety.
“A recent project involved Acorn Furniture, a well-established Motueka-based manufacturer. They are renowned for its sustainably sourced, high-quality timber furniture and we were tasked to optimise the handling of full melamine sheets within its growing production facility,” says Matthew Prestidge, managing director, Stratalign Limited
As part of an internal factory upgrade, Acorn Furniture relocated existing machinery and installed a new CNC machine to increase cutting capacity and support rising demand. While the new equipment improved output, it also introduced a challenge: operators were required to manually manoeuvre full melamine sheets into position.
“These sheets are large, heavy, and awkward to handle, particularly within the confined space surrounding the CNC machine,” says Prestidge. He adds that with limited floor area and multiple sheet stacks positioned nearby, Acorn needed a solution that could deliver reach, accuracy, and smooth material flow while significantly reducing manual handling risks.
“We began the project with a detailed site assessment, reviewing the factory layout, surrounding equipment, and the structural capacity of the floor slab. Based on those findings, a column-mounted jib crane paired with a VacuPowerlift vacuum tube lifter was recommended as the most effective and space-efficient solution.”
The column jib crane provides up to 270 degrees of slewing, allowing operators to move sheets smoothly and precisely within the restricted workspace. Heavy-duty bearings ensure light, ergonomic operation, while the custom column height delivers the optimal lifting range for the CNC working envelope.
The VacuPowerlift tube lifter enables a single operator to lift and accurately position melamine sheets weighing up to 300 kilograms with minimal effort. Its modular design, integrated controls, and optional tilt and rotation functions improve handling precision, reduce operator fatigue, and support safer, more consistent workflows across shifts.
“Overall, the solution delivered safer handling, faster workflows, and long-term operational improvements.”
Sponsored content: For more information phone 09 263 7725 or email sales@stratalign.co.nz.