Manual transfer stations: Rotacaster delivers for Australia post

The problem: Australia Post used ball transfer tables for manual sorting of bulky

international mailbags weighing up to 35 kg. This required substantial and repetitive

manual effort by operators to push, pull and rotate the bags, exposing them to potential

musculoskeletal injury.


The Challenge: To address this issue Australia Post looked for alternative solutions that

would substantially reduce operator input and exposure to risk of injury. With a targeted

push/pull force of 50N (5kg) for a 35Kg bag, it was acknowledged that this target would

in all likelihood require a powered solution, adding to operating and maintenance costs.


Rotacaster Solution: Rotacaster proposed a manual transfer solution utilizing their

48mm Rotacasters combined with polyacetal (POM) spacer rollers. The roller's smaller

diameter was designed to provide support for the soft packaging, while minimizing

friction and reducing the number of Rotacaster wheels required. Australia Post and

Rotacaster collaborated on the design and construction of the transfer table. Trials were

successfully undertaken at an Australia Post gateway.


Outcome: The solution resulted in a significant reduction of push/pull forces to between

40 and 70Nm (4-7kg) in all directions on the table. Australia Post considered this a

remarkable achievement in the absence of any powered assist.


Additional Advantages: In addition to reducing the push/pull forces required, without

the cost noise and maintenance associated with a powered solution, the polymer

surfaces of the Rotacasters and spacer rollers have demonstrated a lower affinity to

adhesion of labels and stickers from packages, further reducing down time and

maintenance costs.


Comment: Rotacaster CEO Peter McKinnon notes "Feedback from operators using the

table has been exceptionally positive. And importantly, the risk of injury has been

reduced. Rotacasters are proving their versatility."


Implementation: With this extremely successful trial result, the remaining transfer tables

at this Gateway facility will be replaced with the Rotacaster solution, with further

upgrades to follow in Sydney, Brisbane and elsewhere.