The money is on the hall floor: Safely transport tool components with plastic pallets and stacking frames, and provide them in a targeted manner.

The urgently needed tool is manufactured but not at its designated workplace. A slider gets caught in a gap during transport on the wooden pallet and disappears forever. A pallet with tool components can only be picked up in tight spaces with additional maneuvering. Such situations illustrate: The processes between the processing stations – often little noticed – have an impact on how economically an order is processed. Tool companies that want to exploit every savings potential must therefore consider the entire process.

Continuous Improvement as a Guideline

For Craemer Werkzeugbau in Herzebrock-Clarholz, optimizing internal processes is part of a holistic manufacturing approach. The department develops and manufactures highly precise tools for metal forming and injection molds for its own plastic processing. In addition to the family-run group's business sectors, it serves external customers, including those from the automotive, household appliance, and fittings industries.

The range extends from tools for small and large metal parts to molds for single-piece injection-molded pallets and containers. In the "Craemer Circle of Tools," development, simulation, design, tool making, try-out, and maintenance interlock. Knowledge transfer between these areas and a focus on life cycle costs form the basis for continuous improvements.

"Process optimization means for us continuously examining all work steps in production critically. This also includes being able to trace the paths of each tool and operating resource as detailed as possible and minimizing sources of error," explains Torsten Kersting, Head of Werkzeugbau at Craemer GmbH.

Secure Transport, Robust Load Carrier

For internal logistics, Craemer uses its own pallets and stacking frames to transport inserts, slides, standard parts, and other tool components. The Craemer pallet "TC 1" in Euro format has a completely closed deck and is equipped with the special Palgrip anti-slip coating. According to Craemer, the advantage over a conventional open wooden pallet is that small parts in particular can no longer slip into gaps. There is no longer a risk that parts get trapped or damaged when picked up by the forklift fork. Additionally, the full-surface Palgrip anti-slip deck of the Craemer TC pallet prevents the load from slipping during acceleration, braking, and changes of direction.

The material properties of the carrier pallet also offer advantages in toolmaking: Plastic pallets do not splinter and require no nails that could damage tool components or equipment or cause injuries. The completely closed surfaces of the TC pallets are easy to clean – an advantage when dealing with adhering chips, oil, or coolants. Unlike wood, plastic does not absorb moisture. The robust load carriers are suitable for long and trouble-free use in internal cycles. Their long service life reduces replacement procurements and lowers costs.