IDEC ez-Wheel Assist Wheel Drive Boosts material handling operations
The modular all-in-one wheel, gearbox, drive, battery, and control solution is easily integrated into new or existing equipment to help workers safely transport heavy payloads.
IDEC Corporation announced the new ez-Wheel Assist Wheel Drive (AWD) EW1A Series, providing electrical motion assistance for industrial manual material handling equipment. With the help of an EW1A, workers can easily and safely move heavy loads, increasing productivity and efficiency.
Even in highly automated facilities, there remain many operations requiring personnel to exert manual force to move trolleys, carts, and other mobile equipment. Besides the physical challenge, workers could also be susceptible to injuries or other musculoskeletal issues while performing these tasks. The EW1A addresses this and other issues with an integrated electric motorized wheel solution that is easily retrofitted onto existing trollies or designed into new equipment.
Power and control options
The EW1A system consists of a few modular components, with many options to satisfy new equipment designs, or aftermarket retrofits by maintenance personnel. The main drive unit is available with 150mm or 160mm resilient polyurethane wheels, and the ability to support a vertical working load up to 400kg, and to transfer loads up to 1000kg. A suspension bracket provides an adaptable way to add the main drive unit to upgrade any equipment.
All models can accept internal batteries, which are recharged with a specific cable and charger. However, for greater capacity designers can alternately choose to use an external battery pack using an adapter cable. Batteries operate at a nominal 24V DC, with capacities ranging from 3Ah to 15Ah, depending on the model. The wheels operate at about 0 to 5km/hr (0 to 3mph) in both directions and are available with adjustable braking modes and an option parking brake. The wheels are rated for indoor use, in non-freezing temperatures and up to 40°C.
Two controller options are available. The standard controller is a compact panel, much like a pendant control but fixed-mounted, with an on/off button, forward/reverse speed control thumbwheel, and a lighted or unlighted emergency stop button. A two-handle-type controller is also available with the same functionality implemented into a pair of handles, which can be oriented vertically or horizontally as needed for the best user experience. The handle-type controller is available with or without a battery charge status LED indicator. Convenient ez-Config software running on a PC and connected using a standard USB cable lets users easily configure operating parameters, such as forward/reverse speed, acceleration time, deceleration mode, assist time limit, time to sleep mode, and more.
Progressive safety and efficiency
Companies everywhere need solutions for improving the safety and efficiency of their workers, helping them comply with standards like ISO 11228-2 for ergonomics, and potentially reducing insurance costs. The IDEC ez-Wheel Assist Wheel Drive EW1A Series meets these needs as the world’s first 100% integrated industrial autonomous wheel, combining the wheel, gearbox, drive, battery, and control solution in a compact and modular form factor. It is easily retrofitted on any existing moving equipment as an aftermarket solution, to upgrade and update working capabilities.
Applications abound anywhere equipment or payloads are manually moved, in warehouse and material handling facilities, automotive plants, logistics/retail, manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, and more. With an attractive price/performance ratio, end users of all types can deploy the EW1A to improve worker health while increasing productivity and efficiency, often realizing a return on investment of less than one year.
