Ball transfer tables are a type of conveyor system that may be added to a horizontal product transferring surface for movement of flat products. They are designed to assist in transferring, directing or facilitating loading of flat products in workplaces such as warehouses, manufacturing or freight transfer. Similar to a roller system, the balls are installed within the table or work surface and the product rolls over the balls and allows for turning, lifting, directing or transferring from one conveyor line to another. Balls can be free wheeling or pneumatic, operated by lever or foot pedal. Depending on workplace environment, purpose and weight of items to be shifted, balls can be supplied in different materials and be simply a table or part of a complete conveyor system.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
People with lifting or carrying restrictions resulting from back, neck, shoulder, heart, and various repetitive strain injuries may benefit from the use of ball transfer technology if lifting or handling flat products on a repetitive basis within the workplace (ICA 2006 ; Lemcol 1999; Adept Conveyor Technologies 2005; RDM Industrial Products Inc. (no date specified).
References
ICA 2006, Industrial Conveying Australia Product Brochure, Industrial Conveying (Aust) Pty Ltd, Bendigo, viewed 11 January 2008.
Lemcol 1999, Wheel Track and Ball Transfer Units, Active Lifting Equipment Co. Pty Ltd, Stepney, viewed 11 January 2008.
Adept Conveyor Technologies 2005, Conveyor Equipment: Ball Transfer Tables, Adept Conveyor Technologies Pty Ltd, Sydney, viewed 11 January 2008.
RDM Industrial Products Inc (no date specified), Ergonomic Ball Transfer Workstations, RDM Industrial Products Inc, California, viewed 11 January 2008.