Automatic stacker design for Plafonds Embassy

Project

Plafonds Embassy, an SME based in the Bois-Francs region, specializes in suspended ceiling solutions and lighting systems. Their expertise includes the design, supply and installation of suspended ceilings for a variety of building types, including office, retail, healthcare and industrial facilities.

Customer’s Problem :

Having internalized one stage of their manufacturing process by acquiring a laminator, Plafonds Embassy is now faced with the challenge of transforming the individual sheets produced by the laminator into the stacked bundles required for the rest of the process. Although they had a lifting platform at their disposal, they didn’t know how best to use it to achieve this stacking, nor what operating principle to adopt.

Customer Need :

Plafonds Embassy is looking for specialized expertise to help them pinpoint their needs and find and choose a solution to meet this challenge. An innovative approach will enable them to adapt this platform to their specific process, thus solving their problems and ensuring the continuity of their production.

Client

Plafonds Embassy

Industry

Manufacturing

Expertise used

Engineering and Manufacturing Projects

Mechanical Design

FlexSim Operation Simulation

" We had to determine how the stacker would operate when a new piece of equipment was introduced. Merkur was able to offer us a solution that met our needs, and to support us in its development. "

Alexis Boulanger

President Plafonds Embassy

Key results

Automation

of a stage in their manufacturing process

Productivity

Production capacity greatly increased, by a factor of two

Tailor-made solutions

for their products

Project highlights

Develop a tailor-made sheet stacking solution adapted to the customer's equipment pool

Develop equipment capable of keeping pace with the upstream laminator
Minimize downtime and manpower required for operation
Design a solution that is easy to integrate from an automation point of view
Produce clear schematics for outsourced manufacturing

Recommendation of 3 mechanical principles for the stacking and mechanical design of the winning solution

Workshop to map the targeted sequence of operations
Identify issues, specifications and constraints
Conduct technology watch
Preliminary analysis of 3 solutions, including advantages, disadvantages and technological risks
Mechanical design of a fully customized equipment based on the recommended solution
Simulation of the chosen solution to parameterize the mechanisms
Coordination with automation supplier and follow-up during start-up

Design of mechanical elements on Solidworks and simulation of the operating sequence on FlexSim

Benefit from a solution 100% adapted to their manufacturing challenges, thanks to our know-how

Benefit from an unbiased, expert viewpoint
Coordination with other parties involved: manufacturers, automation, etc.
Take advantage of the Intellectual Property received during the project for the future

Watch the project video

" The step-by-step approach was a real winner for this project. We targeted the most suitable concept, then parameterized it via simulation before moving on to detailed design. "

Éric Lorrain

Manufacturing Project Manager