Home » News » Electric Tug mover helps keep the production line on track at Wagony Świdnica

Electric Tug mover helps keep the production line on track at Wagony Świdnica

Nu-Star provide a safe and cost-effective moving solution for pushing railcars

Wagony Świdnica, owned by the Greenbrier Europe group has a long-standing history in engineering and manufacturing freight railcars and wagon structures since the 1920s. Greenbrier Europe is a global operation, distributing products around the world from Europe to the Middle East.

Nu-Star’s Polish distributor was approached by the Investment Specialist, Jerzy Moskal at Wagony Świdnica in his search to find a more efficient and cost-effective solution to move railcars through the manufacturing process.

The Świdnica plant utilises a rail dolly system to move railcars through the production line. The incumbent operation consisted of heavy manual handling, requiring a number of the workforce to move the wagons by hand, which could be dangerous with a risk to Health and Safety of the workforce.

Bartosz Sowiński, Nu-Star’s Polish distributor explained, “Nu-Star Electric Tugs are utilised in a number of industries Worldwide in production lines as a cost-effective and safe solution to moving industrial loads. The real challenge presented by Świdnica was the curved track to move the wagons from the paint shop to the next stage of assembly. This was notoriously the difficult part of the production line to manoeuvre the railcar, involving multiple staff and equipment to do so. However, Nu-Stars Electric tug mover overcome the increased rolling resistance of the curves with ease and pushing the 35,000kg wagons was no problem at all for the Super Power Pusher.”

The Super Power Pusher generates up to 9,000N of push force and can tackle loads with a high rolling resistance. A range of tug attachments are available to suit application requirements, in Świdnica’s application an adjustable height push pad is an ideal attachment to push the railcars through the factory environment safely.

Daniel Taradaj, Maintenance Manager, at Wagony Świdnica was delighted with the capabilities of the tug mover and positive impact on operations; “In the past, moving wagons after leaving the paint shop was difficult and required a lot of effort; staff, equipment and time. The Super Power Pusher easily solved this long-standing problem. Thanks to Nu-Star and their Super Power Pusher we have transformed factory operations, improving workplace safety and increasing efficiency as we no longer need to take employees away from core work in order to move wagons, this operation is now operated by a single employee and the electric tug mover." As a result Greenbrier Europe now have four Super Power Pushers operating at Wagony Świdnica.

See how Nu-Star can help solve your production line problem, view our applications galleries and get in touch for more info.

Home » News » Dual Motor Super Power Pushers move cable drums effortlessly through the production line at Tele-Fonika Kable S.A.

Dual Motor Super Power Pushers move cable drums effortlessly through the production line at Tele-Fonika Kable S.A.

Tele-Fonika Kable S.A. invest in three Nu-Star High Torque Cable Drum Pushers to improve workplace safety and factory productivity.

Tele-Fonika Kable S.A. are a leading European manufacturer of cables and wires, operating globally, supplying some of the largest companies in industries ranging from telecommunications to mining.

The expansion of the Tele-Fonika operations across eight production plants and increasing changes to health and safety regulations prompted Tele-Fonika to review workplace safety and efficiency when moving cable drums.

As part of the production of wire and cables, large cable drums up to 60 tonnes need to be moved through the production lines. Tele-Fonika contacted Nu-Star’s Polish distributor to find a solution for pushing cable drums in a safe and easy way to reduce manual handling.

Bartosz Sowiński, Nu-Star’s Polish distributor explained, “In order to push heavy cable reels, a high starting torque is required to overcome rolling resistance, therefore I recommended a free demonstration of Nu-Star’s High Torque Dual Motor Super Power Pusher electric tug.”

The Dual Motor Super Power Pusher is powered by two 1.5kW electric motors generating up to 17,600N of pushing force. The machine is equipped with a special roller application for moving both cable drums and paper rolls. The use of electric motors provides the additional benefit of the absence of smoke and fumes in the factory.

After the demonstration of a drum pusher, Stanisław Wajs, Head of Maintenance Services at Tele-Fonika Kable said, “The Nu-Star Dual Motor Super Power Pusher tug seems quite unique in the market, it’s very durable and generates enough power to easily push our largest cable drums. Compared to other solutions, such as forklifts, the electric tug is a much smaller and cheaper solution to move heavy industrial loads. The Nu-Star electric tug is extremely easy-to-use and much safer than attempting to manually move the reels.

After positive feedback from our employees on the production floor, we invested in three Dual Motor Super Power Pushers. The Nu-Star electric tugs have revolutionised the efficient and safe movement of cable drums through-out our production lines, reducing labour costs of tasks that would normally require at least two members of staff.”

View our wide range of Nu-Star electric tugs. Nu-Star have been providing material handling solutions and moving machinery for over a decade, remember If it rolls… we can move it! ®

Home » News » First Power Pusher for Faurecia, France

First Power Pusher for Faurecia, France

The Faurecia Group (Europe’s second largest Automotive equipment supplier), have recently taken delivery of their first Nu-Star power Pusher at their Exhaust Systems production plant in Poissy, France.

The Faurecia Poissy plant manufactures over 250,000 exhaust systems per annum for the Peugeot 1007 & 207 models & supplies them on a ‘just in time’ basis to the nearby PSA Peugeot Citroen factory.

Previously the large 1100 Kgs trolleys, laden with the exhaust systems, were manoeuvred by hand until Laurent Tissier (Responsable du JAT de Poissy) became aware of the Power Pusher.

During a 6 month trial period, Faurecia developed & modified the standard Nu-Star coupling mechanism to enable quick & easy connection to all of the exhaust trolleys on site.

Faurecia’s Laurent Tissier commented; “Following an ergonomic analysis in our site, we had to improve the way we were moving our trolleys. The best solution we have found after different trials was to use the Power Pusher. It’s very easy to use even when you do not have a lot of space. All our operators are very happy and feel better at the end of the day”

The Power Pusher is one of a range of pedestrian operated, electric tug units for moving wheeled industrial loads. The machines are manufactured by Nu-Star in Derbyshire, UK (www.nu-starmhl.com) for the EU, Middle East & Australasian markets and also in Minneapolis, USA (www.nustarinc.com) for N. & S. American & Canadian markets.

Home » News » Cummins unleashes the power with Nu-Star Super Pusher

Cummins unleashes the power with Nu-Star Super Pusher

Cummins Engine Company recently took delivery of their first Nu-Star Super Pusher unit at their site in Daventry, UK for moving the engine blocks during the build process.

Cummins Engine Company are one of the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of diesel engines with key markets in off-highway vehicles, industrial equipment and power generation. Cummins has manufacturing plants in 14 countries, over 23,000 employees and a global turnover of approximately $6 billion.

At their site in Daventry, Cummins manufactures high horse power diesel engines ranging from 900hp to 3000hp, for the marine, generator, construction and gas markets.

The engines are mounted on dedicated engine trolleys during the manufacturing process, and can weigh from 7,000Kg to 12,000Kg depending on the model and stage in the build process.

Mr. Eddie East (Kaizen Improvement Technician) explained; “A specific requirement within the manufacturing process, necessitated the need for a new design engine trolley and the current movers were not suitable for this new design. I had to source a new type engine mover and after intense investigation of the market, I came across the Nu-Star Super Pusher. After explaining our needs to Matt Smith, Managing Director, he visited our site and demonstrated the Super Pusher, which met and exceeded our requirements to the full. After a weeks exhaustive trial, Cummins made the decision to purchase the Super Pusher, which has been in constant use ever since. We are extremely pleased with the product, and the professional manner in which it was presented to us.”

Nu-Star manufacture a range of pedestrian operated, electric tugs specifically designed to improve shop-floor productivity, eliminate the manual effort traditionally associated with the movement of heavy wheeled loads and often replace larger and more expensive fork lifts / tractor units, freeing up valuable shop floor space as a consequence.