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Before upgrading their material handling system, Quadco faced significant challenges in their assembly and welding area. The facility relied on a single large crane to move heavy components into a robotic welding cell, which led to frequent downtime and workflow interruptions. In some cases, assembly employees attempted to lift parts manually, increasing the risk of injury. Quadco had previously explored jib cranes as a potential solution, but was concerned about the added tension on their concrete floors.
A 420,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility sits on a 25-acre site that centers on the movement of aerospace parts and structures via tooling carts, forklifts and bridge cranes. Material handling equipment was required in a new building to lift lightweight spacecraft structures, weighing under 1,000 lbs. Hansen knew who to call — Dave Spears, Regional Manager — West at CraneTech.
ProGMA A Case StudyCustomer: Airport Baggage AreaProtectionSituationThe luggage handling areas in Orlando International Airport’s Terminals A and B were originally protected by outdated,rigid guarding that had significantly deteriorated over time. This legacy system not only failed to prevent damage but alsocontributed to cracking and breaking of the surrounding 4” thick concrete on the second-floor structure.Conveyors, electrical panels, and critical infrastructure components were left vulnerable to frequent impacts, increasingmaintenance costs and safety concerns. Additionally, ineffective guarding posed risks to equipment, facility integrity, andworker safety in this high-traffic operational environment.SolutionTo address these challenges, airport officials partnered with a certified installer to replace the old system with SlowStop®rebounding guarding products from Impact Recovery. The new solution included:• 15” tall 4” single IronFlex rails to protect conveyor systems at their operating height• 42” tall 4” double IronFlex rails installed around electrical panels for elevated protection• Strategically placed 5” rebounding steel bollards to reinforce key locations and mitigate high-risk impact zonesIn total, the project involved the installation of 1,621 feet of railing in Terminal A and 1,857 feet in Terminal B. The installerstated, “Installation was straightforward and easy. Once we got a pattern down, it really moved fast. We actually finishedthe job two weeks ahead of schedule.” With the new SlowStop® system in place, the airport achieved a dramaticimprovement in facility protection and safety. The rebounding technology minimized concrete damage by absorbing anddissipating impact forces, while also delivering long-term durability and performance. The conveyor equipment supplierpraised the upgrade and expressed strong support for the enhanced safety measures. The comprehensive protectionsystem now ensures critical infrastructure is better defended reducing maintenance needs and increasing operationaluptime. Terminals A and B are now fully equipped with a modern, reliable, and efficient guarding system positioningOrlando International Airport for safer baggage operations for years to come.“Installation was straightforward and easy.Once we got a pattern down, it really moved fast.”
