Ergonomic Lean Manufacturing Workstation

At Stackbin, ergonomics and workflow is always a major focus of the work we design and build for our customers. The ability to have less reaching and less dramatic movements while working saves the user a great deal of physical stress, as well as speeding up the process by providing easy access to parts and supplies, and the ability for restocking. These are some of the key methodologies for creating efficient work cells and creating a lean manufacturing environment. 

We tagged this design our "Lean Manufacturing Workstation" because it provides many key aspects to increase workflow efficiency and decrease user fatigue. We have many options, standard, and custom, to build a workstation that directly suits your exact process whether it be assembly, testing, packaging, fulfillment, etc. The primary framework for this station is extremely heavy-duty, suited for everyday usage in an industrial environment, and includes the following features;

• Fully welded 16g steel, 2" x 2" box tube structure
• 12" HydroLift height adjustment with hand-crank actuation (electric is also available)
• Steel H-frame base with 4 swivel fully locking casters that have 5" wheels
• 4 vertical overhead uprights for attaching a multitude of adjustable accessories

The beauty of this framework is that it keeps all overhead accessories behind the work surface keeping the full depth of the open for the process to be completed, and the height adjustment not only adjusts the work surface but all accessories as well to provide better on-the-fly ergonomics.

This particular workstation includes Stackbins' Articulating Bin Panel and Articulating Pegboard Panel. The articulation of these panels allows the user to position them exactly where they need them to provide ergonomic access to tools and parts. Articulation is provided through 2 pivot points on a 14" steel swingarm that has a dry-running polymer bearing and can be locked in place using the 2 hand knobs. They are also height adjustable at the base using an external channel so there is no interference with any of the internal accessories attached to the overhead structure.

16" x 24" Articulating Steel Pegboard Panel with a 14" swingarm

16" x 22" Articulating Steel Bin Panel with 5 levels and a 14" swingarm

The bottom shelf of the workstation features a flow-style roller system that allows the station to be restocked from the rear to keep the workflow efficient. These staggered rollers are more versatile than typical pencil rollers because they don't have "lanes" per see. These have also been done to pitch back if the customer is using the flow-shelf to feed processed parts back to an assembly line or a different area of an overall work cell.

The overhead steel shelving is not only height-adjustable, but the angle of the shelf can also be adjusted. Lastly, LED overhead lighting is provided to illuminate the work surface.

Consultation, Design and Build:

The following image shows a 3D model of the workstation that was designed in-house and based on the customers' workflow needs. We leverage this ability to prove out the design and get design approval from the customer prior to the final build. This 3D model can be viewed online.