Jib Crane, Air Balancer, Tray Gripper

Plastic trays circulating through a plant are usually stacked high, and every pickup or placement of a full tray requires both hands. The trays are slick and heavy, so repeated handling risks slipping and spilling the contents. The loading spot also shifts with each production shift.

FullSharp supplied an articulating jib crane carrying a FullSharp air balancer, with a plastic tray gripper on the arm end, the whole unit set on a mobile base. The gripper clamps the tray's rim so it doesn't deform the walls. The articulating arm reaches distant stacks, and pushing the base moves the whole setup to another area.

Articulating Jib Crane with Air Balancer and Plastic Tray Gripper on Mobile Base

The articulating jib crane with FullSharp air balancer and plastic tray gripper on a mobile base.

Installed Equipment

Articulating jib crane: a two-section folding arm that reaches distant stacks or ones blocked by obstacles.
FullSharp air balancer: compressed air carries the tray's weight, holding it weightless so the operator can align it to the exact layer.
Plastic tray gripper: jaws clamp the tray's rim with even force, so the walls don't deform.
Mobile base: casters with locking brakes let the operator wheel the whole unit to the active loading zone and lock it before working.

Key Specifications

Crane typeArticulating jib crane
Lifting equipmentFullSharp air balancer
End effectorPlastic tray gripper tool

Benefits for the Plant

Trays keep their shape

The jaws grip the tray's load-bearing rim, so the walls don't deform after repeated handling.

No more spills

The tray stays balanced throughout the move, ending the risk of slipping and dropping its contents.

Moves with the shift

The mobile base lets the equipment follow whichever area is loading trays that day.

Actual Installation Photos

Articulating Jib Crane with Air Balancer and Plastic Tray Gripper on Mobile Base - photo 1

Articulating Jib Crane with Air Balancer and Plastic Tray Gripper on Mobile Base - photo 2

Click a photo to enlarge. A 2-photo album taken on site.

Suitable Applications

Food plants using circulating plastic trays
Cold storage with high tray stacks
Production lines feeding and returning trays
Tray-based sorting areas

Consultation for Your Plant's Installation

FullSharp measures your tray dimensions, loaded weight, stack height, and working radius to design the gripper and arm configuration. We run a trial on your own trays before handover. Contact FullSharp to schedule a survey.