Assembly lines and sequencing areas in forklift-driven facilities require different solutions than those that use carts and dollies. Monument equipment needs to be stable and sturdy, capable of handling heavy loads, safe for operators to use, and ergonomically safe.

Industrial turntables are a monument solution that reduce strain on operators, reduce walk times, and help with space constraints on the assembly line. Here is how the simple, effective design of industrial turntables increases safety and productivity for manufacturing processes.

What are Industrial Turntables?

An industrial turntable is a low-profile table designed to rotate in 90 or 180 degree increments, making it easier for operators to reach parts on the far end of a container, or the other side of a rack, without leaning over or walking around to the other side. They can come with risers to set a different pick height and either have a foot pedal or a detent soft stop for locking the table in place after rotation.

The most common applications of industrial turntables are:

  • Two-sided racks: When a rack has parts on both sides of a rack, such as in a kitting sequence or assembly line, an industrial turntable allows the worker to rotate the rack to retrieve parts rather than taking the time to walk around to the other side of the rack.
  • Large containers: Bigger, wider containers can put a lot of strain on workers who have to bend down and lean over to reach parts on the opposite side of the container. A turntable allows them to rotate the container rather than straining themselves. 

Five Considerations for Incorporating Industrial Turntables

If you’re debating whether industrial turntables are the right solution for problems in your assembly workflows, here are five things to consider that may turn the tide on manufacturing:

1. Capacity and Size Constraints

Because they are built for industrial use, turntables are built to withstand large capacities. Our industrial turntables at American Manufacturing have a 4,000 pound capacity and broad perimeter bearings to pair with oversized racks and containers. Torque isn’t a major concern, as our industrial turntables are designed to provide smooth rotation that lessens the strain on your operators.

2. Workspace Limitations

One key benefit of industrial turntables is how they reduce the amount of space required on an assembly line. Because the operator won’t need to move around to the other side of the table to retrieve parts, turntables can work in tighter spaces and reduce forklift use.

If an operator has to use a forklift to turn a rack or container around before it is empty, that is a key sign that a turntable would be valuable!

3. Operator Safety and Ergonomics

Industrial turntables are an ideal ergonomic solution for enhancing worker safety in manufacturing, especially when facilities are still tied to forklift fleets. A turntable keeps operators from having to walk into the main traffic aisle by allowing them to rotate the container or rack while standing in their workspace. It also protects workers from injuries related to bending and lifting, especially when dealing with parts that can’t be tilted with a lift and tilt table.

4. Customizable Options

Depending on your workflows, you may have alternative needs that a standard model of industrial turntable won’t quite resolve. Here are some customizations we offer with our turntables at American Manufacturing to meet these unique situations:

  • Riser stands: Standard industrial turntables have a 4” overall height, which may be too low for comfortable pick height. We have sturdy riser stands available upon request to adjust this height.
  • Pneumatic lift and turn systems: While most use cases should be fine with a manual turning operation, we do have pneumatic lift and turntables available for turntables handling particularly heavy capacities. These tables have a height range of 9” to 30” and can handle the same 4,000 pound capacity.

5. Integrations with Cobots and Other Automations

While cobots bring advantages in welding and assembly applications, industrial turntables are primarily designed to reduce worker strain and improve ergonomics in manual assembly workflows. Some industrial turntable designs can be used alongside robotic welding arms and other automations, but standard turntables for containers and racks are most effective in applications focused on operator safety, accessibility, and workflow efficiency.

Taking a Turn on Assembly Workflows

The goal with any specialized industrial equipment should always be two-fold: worker safety and workflow efficiency. Industrial turntables create more efficient assembly processes while adding ergonomic safety features to workflows, protecting operators and your bottom line. If you need monument solutions that are built for ergonomic efficiency, explore our industrial ergonomic equipment or contact American Manufacturing for customized solutions.