Balancer or retractor: choose the right movement and locking
Consider what should happen at the end of a movement. Should the tool stay within reach at the height where you placed it, or return to its rest position? This distinction guides the choice before load and travel are considered.
Choose the required behaviour
| Workstation requirement | Solution to consider | Required behaviour |
|---|---|---|
| Move a tool and leave it at different heights | Load balancer | Weight compensation and balanced positioning |
| Return the tool to its rest position after use | Retractor | Automatic spring return |
| Deliberately hold the tool during an operation | Version with documented operating lock | Controlled stopping as specified for the system |
A retractor’s return force increases as its cable is extended. A balancer compensates the load so that it can remain in the desired position once the device is correctly adjusted for that load. Catalogues sometimes use “balancer” as a general term, so check the series’ operating description.
Read more: Kromer catalogue, retractor and balancer principles, p.3
Describe the working cycle
For a screwdriver used briefly and then parked above the workstation, return to the rest position may be the desired behaviour. For a tool that is frequently repositioned and should retain its height between tasks, balanced positioning addresses a different need. Include how often the tool is handled and its working positions in your request.
Specify what the lock should do
An operating lock holds the load using the control method and positions specified for the model. Depending on the version, it may operate automatically or be controlled from below. The function must be documented for the complete reference: a visible pin or button in a photograph does not establish its intended use.
A stop used for a tool change or maintenance serves a servicing purpose. If the instructions reserve a device for that use, it is not a positioning feature for the production cycle. A safety stop triggered by a broken spring and a travel stop also have separate functions.
For the models concerned, Tecna instructions distinguish load changing, manual locking and control from below. Balanced holding, deliberate locking and safety devices should therefore be assessed separately.
Read more: Tecna 9401RL–9444RL instructions, tool change and locking
Describe the movement in your request
“8 kg tool, 2 m required travel, holding at different heights and a lock controlled from the workstation” is more useful than “8 kg balancer with lock”. GEDO can then check the series, the control accessible to the operator and the options required for that configuration.